The Ignatian Center hosts three all-expenses-paid retreats every year for SCU faculty and staff. The retreats are grounded in Ignatian Spirituality, but are adapted for a spiritually diverse faculty and staff. Participants must complete an application and priority is given to faculty and staff who are new to Ignatian Spirituality.
2025-2026 Retreat Offerings
August 26-29, 2025 | Villa Maria del Mar
Spend three days and three nights at Villa Maria del Mar, an oceanfront retreat house in Santa Cruz. Unlike other "retreats," these days of rest and renewal will not include any required attendance at any programming. It is simply a chance for SCU faculty, staff, and administration to rest and/or do some writing before the academic year begins.
Application will be available in July.
December 15-17, 2025 | Villa Maria del Mar
Spend two days and two nights at Villa Maria del Mar, an oceanfront retreat house in Santa Cruz. There will be plenty of time for rest, silence, and renewal as we take a gentle journey into the heart of our university: Ignatian Spirituality. We hope faculty and staff from any religious, secular, or spiritual identity feel supported and welcomed in this experience.
Application will be available in November.
March 24-27, 2026 | Villa Maria del Mar
Spend three days and three nights at Villa Maria del Mar, an oceanfront retreat house in Santa Cruz. This dynamic experience features silence and a diversity of prayer practices in a residential setting. Each day will include confidential, individual meetings with a retreat director, more formal presentations made to the group, meals, daily liturgies, and group prayer.
Application will be available in February.
"The retreat was like going to a spiritual well and drinking deeply. It gave me strength and perspective that will help me in my role at SCU."
-Faculty and Staff Ignatian Nourishment Retreat participant
Please contact Tony Cortese(acortese@scu.edu), Director of Ignatian Spirituality, if you have any questions!