“Building Colonies of Heaven” fosters the growth and clarification of individual faith-based vocations through a three-part program involving reflection on the early Celtic Christian churches, a Celtic journey through The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola using virtual reality, and ongoing guidance in the development of the intellectual and spiritual resources its participants will need to fulfill their personal and vocational desires. The approach to both the early Celtic churches and the Ignatian exercises will emphasize the ecumenical appeal and enduring effectiveness of both traditions in our contemporary societies.

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The program initially stimulates the imagination of its participants by connecting the beliefs and achievements of the early Celtic Christian churches to the challenges of our own times through a series of podcasts developed in dialogue with young collaborators. They will contemplate the reverence the Celtic Christians displayed towards nature to nurture their own positive responses to the current environmental crisis. They also will consider the capacity of the Celtic churches to create enclaves of peace and humane behavior amidst the violent turmoil of their times. Finally, they will consider the myths and legends of the early Celtic churches as parables of hope-filled “colonies of heaven” which nurtured equality and mutual respect among their members while also welcoming strangers into their communities.

For more information about Part 1 of this program,
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However, as inspiring as it is in our age, knowledge of the early Celtic church is fragmentary and often contradictory. So, to help the participants integrate their reflections on these early Christians into their own relationship with Jesus Christ, they will make a self-paced three-part Celtic journey through The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola using virtual reality equipment designed to simulate “communal retreats” at significant Celtic sites without the expense of traveling to these locations. After each of these retreats, the participants will receive guidance through follow-up exercises designed to nurture the graces received during their retreats, deepen their habits of prayer and discernment, and connect their earlier reflections on the Celtic churches to their own diverse personalities and vocational desires.

For more information about Part 2 of this program,
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Empowered by their experiences during The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola and inspired by the vision of the Celtic saints, the participants in the program are prepared to begin their pilgrimage of loving service to God. However, it is important for them to learn the ways to remain aware of God’s presence all around them in their day-to-day life so that they may navigate that journey. So, with this in mind, they will be introduced to various decision-making techniques which will help them remain attentive to God‘s presence on a daily basis, discern the personal leadings they experience in that divine presence, and approach major life decisions in a prayerful manner which remains attentive to their uniqueness and significance in God’s redemptive plan.

For more information about Part 3 of this program,
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Finally, strengthened by these earlier activities the participants in the program will be given the resources to discern the ways in which they can contribute to the redemptive plan of God in our world and to deepen and extend the ability to act on these desires. This will involve offering reading lists and other resources connecting the participants to their spiritual and intellectual precursors, linking them to professional development programs related to their personal and vocational concerns, and challenging them to develop new resource materials tailored to their own specific callings to serve God in our world.

For more information about these resources,
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