RCLIFE 101: An Introduction to Spiritual Exercises

Getting the most from your annual retreat

The goal of this course is to help you get the most out of your annual retreat not just once a year, but all year round. Preachers and spiritual guides help you go deeper through the following topics:

  • The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola.
  • The dynamics of the spiritual exercises, particularly the stages and weeks that are followed.
  • Desires of the heart and their role in the spiritual life.
  • Discernment and its role in our lives to help become good discerners.
  • The Examen of Consciousness prayer as a way to help grow in daily awareness of the voice of God in your heart and respond with greater love and gratitude.
  • Some practical tips on how to continue living the spiritual exercises after returning home and incorporate spiritual practices into daily life in order to hear the voice of God throughout the year.


Your Instructor


Regnum Christi 4
Regnum Christi 4

Lisa Alsobrooks is a lay member of Regnum Christi and lives in Houston, TX with her husband, Paul. She serves the Houston section of Regnum Christi as a Spiritual Guide.

Fr. Stephen Ellis, L.C. hails from Thompson, OH. He joined the Legion after 2 years of college at the University of Dayton. Growing up, Father enjoyed showing Quarter Horses, riding before he could walk. He currently serves as the chaplain to the Regnum Christi Movement in the Washington D.C. area.

Janet Lees is a mother of seven, physical therapist, speaker, and spiritual guide currently serving in the Ohio Valley.

Yvonne Nuxoll is a consecrated woman of Regnum Christi and a native of Cottonwood, Idaho, the second of six children. She enjoyed growing up on a farm, learning to know and appreciate God in nature and in the simple faith of the people around her, beginning with her parents and siblings. In 1995, Yvonne responded to Christ’s call and was consecrated to God in Regnum Christi, putting her life at the service of the Church to bring more and more people to know the personal love of Jesus Christ. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Religious and Pastoral Studies from Anahuac University. Following graduation, she was blessed to serve one year in Mexico, two years at a school in Venezuela,10 years at a college in Rhode Island, and then a few years in youth and adult ministry in Louisiana. She is currently a spiritual guide for women and the Regnum Christi director for the Ohio Valley.

Fr. Matthew Summe, L.C. was born and raised in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, the eighth of ten children. He studied two years of chemical engineering at the University of Kentucky before entering the Legionary of Christ novitiate in Cheshire, CT in 1993. He did his novitiate and studied classical humanities in Cheshire, followed by a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in Thornwood, NY. From 1999 to 2002, he did his apostolic internship in Brazil, and then went on to Rome to earn a license in philosophy at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and his bachelor’s degree in theology. In 2005, he began working as an assistant secretary to the territorial directorate in Atlanta. Since 2010 Fr. Matthew has been part of the Cincinnati Legionary community and is now serving as the Chaplain for the RC Men’s Section and Familia.

Mike Williams and his wife Lisa were married in 1986. Mike became a member of ECYD in 1977 and Regnum Christi in 1980. In 1997 he moved with his family to Connecticut where he served on the team of the territorial director, assisting with Regnum Christi sections and apostolates. In 2005 they moved to Atlanta where he helped to found and later led the national office of Mission Network. Since his work with Mission Network ended in 2010, he has been working in marriage apostolates, serving on his parish RCIA team, and serving as a spiritual guide. From 2014 to 2019 he participated on the Regnum Christi Territorial Committee for North America. In 2017 he was blessed to make an annotation 19 Ignatian spiritual exercises and has since begun guiding others through the retreat.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

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