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Santa Clara University
Center for Student Involvement
Spiritual Wellness

Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Intellectual

Emotional

Physical

Social

Environmental

Occupational

>Spiritual

Financial

Find mentors for spiritual wellbeing

Be sure to check out these departments as you seek to deepen your spiritual wellbeing

Campus Ministry
Cowell Center Health and Counseling Services
Office for Multicultural Learning
Wellness Center
Resources to support your spiritual wellbeing

Spiritual Wellness 

is being connected to something greater than yourself and having a set of values, principles, morals, and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life, then using those principles to guide your actions.

Attributes that distinguish spiritual wellness

  • Belief system
  • Hope and optimism
  • Purpose
  • Sense of belonging
  • Introspection and contemplation
  • Life satisfaction
  • Volunteer work

Jesuit Values that distinguish spirituality

  • Finding God in all things
  • Cura Personalis, "Care of the Whole Person"
  • The Magis, "The More"
  • Being Women and Men with and for Others
  • Unity of Mind and Heart
  • Ad Marjorem Dei Gloriam, "For the greater glory of God"
  • Contemplatives in Action

Resources

Everyone is welcome to participate in Campus Ministry programs. You might think that there's not a place for you because you're not Catholic, you identify as LGBTQ, or you have not felt a warm welcome in the religious tradition in which you were raised. There is a place for you at Campus Ministry - we hope you reach out to develop your Spiritual Wellness! Whether by getting connected with a Spiritual Life Community with other Broncos with a shared affinity, making time for mindfulness, joining a book club, or attending Sunday worship, there are lots of ways to get connected.

The Ignatian Center promotes and enhances the distinctively Jesuit, Catholic tradition of education at Santa Clara University, with a view to serving students, faculty, staff, and through them the larger community, both local and global. Ignatian Center programs provide a go-to resource for students, faculty, staff, and the community to discover Jesuit principles and make them their own. Participants learn first-hand how Ignatian wisdom can enrich lives, bridge differences, and catalyze meaningful change toward a more equitable, sustainable world. 

Reflect on your spiritual self-care

Reflection questions

The reflection questions provided are based on the five steps of the Ignatian Examen: Give Thanks, Review, Reflect, Resolve, and Look Ahead.

1. Give Thanks

  • For what am I grateful today? 
  • In which ways do I feel blessed? 
  • How have I been a blessing to others? 
  • Where did I see the divine in myself? In others? 

2. Review

  • What gave me energy or peace today? What depleted my energy or peace? 
  • Where did I find space and silence? 
  • Where did I find support and encouragement today? Where did I offer it? 

3. Reflect

  • What gave my day meaning? 
  • What moments felt sacred, meaningful or profound for me? 
  • What does spirituality mean to me? 
  • What is my image of God or the divine?

4. Resolve

  • What do I need to commit to?
  • What do I need to let go of? 
  • How can I be more present and attentive? 
  • Have I forgiven myself and/or others?
  • What does it mean to pray or reflect?

5. Look Ahead

  • What does my soul desire for me? 
  • What am I excited for? 
  • What gives me hope? 
  • Who do I want to be tomorrow? For myself? For others? For God?

Spiritual wellness inventory

  • Am I spending time in prayer and/or meditation? 
  • Am I committing time to be outside and in nature? When I am, am I limiting my distractions? 
  • Have I found a spiritual home or community (trusted friend, small group, church)? 
  • Do I spend time doing reflective activities (painting, creating, gardening, journaling, writing)? 
  • Do I contribute time or resources to causes in which I believe?
Connect with others about spirituality

Regular opportunities to foster spiritual wellness

  • The Examen. Email Tony Cortese.
  • Sunday Evening Student Mass: Resuming on January 9, a student focused Mass will be celebrated every Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Mission Church.
  • Misa en español: Todos los martes a las 8 p.m. en el Saint Francis Chapel de la Misión
  • Daily Midday Masses: Daily Mass is celebrated M-F at 12:05 p.m. and is open to all members of the SCU community.
  • Wednesday Mass and Eucharistic Adoration: Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration until 9:00 p.m.; the sacrament of reconciliation is available during adoration.
  • Book Club. Email Alyse Hudock for details.

Spiritual Life Community (SLC) is a network of faith-sharing groups on campus. You are welcome to participate regardless of religious affiliation, and we will do our best to pair you with a group that shares a similar affinity.  

Social accounts to follow

If you are seeking to deepen in your faith by connecting with peers who share a common faith tradition, be sure to check out the Faith-based RSOs to find a faith community!

If you would like to create an affinity-based small group in one of your RSOs, please contact Andrew Hanson-Quintana. 

  • @onbeing 
  • @blackliturgies 
  • @theliturgists 
  • @ignatiansolidarity
  • @cobbleworks
  • @thejesuitpost 
  • @commonwealmagazine 
  • @americamedia 
  • @jesuitswest
Habits and practices to foster spiritual health

Habits of Health

  • Set limits on digital device use - set app restrictions or just unplug 
  • Create a daily ritual to spend time outside

Take action

  • Pick one action that helps you to stay spiritually healthy and schedule regular time to make this a practice 
  • Take time each day for mindfulness--prayer, meditation, or reflection
  • Unplug! Go on a walk and spend time contemplating nature
  • Join a faith-based Registered Student Organization (RSO) or Spiritual Life Community (SLC) small group to connect with the community
  • Find a mentor, spiritual director, or companion to check in with regularly
  • And always remember, according to the Dominican mystic Meister Eckhart, "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." Be sure to take time to cultivate gratitude!
  • Explore the various forms of the Ignatian Examen.
  • Spend time reading, studying, and/or sharing about sacred scripture.
  • Make time for weekly worship--even if you "Zoom" in, dress up and make this Sabbath moment special.
  • Create a regular journaling practice.
  • Explore different images/understandings of God. 
  • Explore the ways your ethnic/cultural identity and faith are connected; celebrate the unique dimensions of your tradition.
  • Engage your body in a meditative practice - yoga, tai chi, qi gong.
  • Read spiritual autobiographies.
  • Listen to a podcast that helps you grow spiritually.
  • Listen to music that helps you to reflect.
  • Learn a new art practice that helps you to be calm, centered, and focused. 
  • Engage in community service, and/or practice Random Acts of Kindness.
  • Learn about injustice and engage in activism for social, racial, and environmental justice.
  • Educate yourself and vote. 
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education
Rainbow Resource Center
Center for Student Involvement
Suggestions

We would love to continue improving our Wellness Model pages. Please share with us your feedback, or comments as well as any articles, podcast, etc. that help you be well. Please make sure you are logged into your SCU gmail account to view this google form. If you have any other comments you can also email getconnected@scu.edu #BeWellBroncos