About Us
Ignatian Associates are Catholic adults, married and single. Our founding as a Community was inspired in 1991 during the Ignatian Year – which celebrated the 450th Anniversary of the existence of the Society of Jesus and the 500th Anniversary of the birth of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and encouraged by the Document on “Cooperation With the Laity in Mission” from the 34th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. Begun in 1992, we are an innovative extension of the 450 year Jesuit tradition of service to our Church and world.
Our spiritual formation is rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Following a two-year formation program, Ignatian Associates may accept an invitation to make public “Promises” of Simplicity of Life, Fidelity to the Gospel and to our Associate and Jesuit Companions, and Apostolic Availability. Currently there are three communities of Ignatian Associates within the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus. These are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Omaha, Nebraska, and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota. Ignatian Associates serve in schools, universities, health care, social service programs, parishes, and a variety of business and other settings. Some work in traditional Jesuit institutions and ministries, while others bring the mission of Christ and the Jesuits to new situations. As Associates, we learn to stretch our abilities to minister in different cultural contexts, as we walk with the poor and marginalized.
Promised Ignatian Associates and our Jesuit companions meet regularly for Eucharist, faith sharing, hospitality, continued formation and ministry discussions. Our many ministries are bound by one common desire for service, however the Spirit may lead us.