What if you could experience a personal retreat in the truest sense of the word personal: on your own time, in your own way, in a location of your choosing? With Retreat in the Real World by Andy Alexander, SJ, and Maureen McCann Waldron, a personal Ignatian retreat is literally no farther away than your fingertips. This 34-week retreat can be started at any point in the calendar year, can be done anywhere, and can be experienced on your own or in conjunction with others.
 
Each of the weeks includes background information, a simple reflection, prayer helps, and Scripture readings, along with beautiful photography by Don Doll, SJ. This highly popular personal retreat was originally offered online through Creighton University's Online Ministries.

Also available by Andy Alexander, SJ, and Maureen McCann Waldron:

  Praying Lent

Andy Alexander, SJ, has spent many years of his priesthood in pastoral and ministry work. He served as a pastor for eight years in Milwaukee before coming to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he is vice president for University Ministry.

Maureen McCann Waldron graduated from Creighton University with a degree in journalism, and then spent 22 years in corporate public relations. After receiving her master’s degree in Christian spirituality from Creighton, she joined Fr. Andy in Creighton’s Collaborative Ministry Office. There the two cofounded the Creighton University Online Ministries Web site. .

St. Ignatius of Loyola wanted people to experience his Spiritual Exercises in light of the unique circumstances of their own lives. When it came to prayer, his hallmark was flexibility. So why not let four experts from one of the world’s leading centers in Ignatian spirituality bring the Exercises into your life in a brand new way? With their words and photographs to guide you, experience the grace of knowing God, and being known by God, in this innovative, creative and life-giving approach to the way of St. Ignatius.

—James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints

St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises charted a wonderful path to holiness and self-discovery for Christian men and women. These exercises have remained vibrant and relevant for centuries. Retreat in the Real World offers a great opportunity for people to understand, enter, and engage these exercises, no matter what their walk of life or how busy their schedule.

—Chris Lowney, author of Heroic Living

This is a book I’ve been waiting for. It will help me become more effective in helping others to work their prayerful way through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. The authors are experienced and expert in Ignatian spirituality. Their book belongs in the hands of the growing number of seekers who are setting aside some time each day to integrate the Exercises into their daily lives.

—William J. Byron, S.J., University Professor of Business and Society at St. Josephs University, Philadelphia, PA

This is very handy and timely book—a way for busy people to grow in their friendship with God. Readers will find themselves in the hands of spiritual masters who are also creative and very helpful. I am very happy that this retreat is now available in book form.

—William A. Barry, S.J., author of A Friendship Like
No Other

Link together Andy Alexander, Don Doll, Larry Gillick and Maureen McCann Waldron and you have a winning team!  Retreat in the Real World is a timely response to the spiritual hunger of people who are searching for meaning in their lives, and for a way of supporting that search. The approach is so true to Ignatius’ own concern to adapt the Spiritual Exercises to the needs of retreatants.  I look forward to making the book  available,  not only to directees, but to those who attend workshops and talks on prayer and spirituality. 

—Marie Schwan, CSJ, co-author of the Take and Receive series