The St. Thomas More Society of Los Angeles gathered on February 28, 2026, for our Annual Lenten Retreat at Loyola High School, a morning dedicated to quiet reflection, spiritual grounding, and the Ignatian practice of discernment. Each year, this retreat offers our community of legal professionals a space to pause, reconnect with purpose, and enter Lent with intention.
Exploring Ignatian Discernment with Lori Stanley
This year’s retreat was led by Lori Stanley, Executive Director of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality. Drawing from the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Lori invited participants to reflect on the “motions of the soul”, the interior movements of thought, emotion, and desire that help us recognize how God is present and active in our daily lives.
Through her guidance, attendees explored the heart of Ignatian discernment: becoming more aware of God’s invitations, recognizing our spiritual gifts, and listening for the unique call God places within each of us. Lori’s depth of experience as a spiritual director, retreat leader, and pastoral minister shaped a morning that was both contemplative and deeply personal.
A Morning of Prayer, Reconciliation, and Community
The retreat opened with quiet time in the Loyola High School chapel, followed by a morning of reflection in the Ackerman Dining Room and Dunn Courtyard. After the retreat sessions, Fr. Travis Russell, SJ, President of Verbum Dei Jesuit High School, presided over a reconciliation service and offered the sacrament of confession.
Fr. Russell’s presence added a meaningful sacramental dimension to the day. His Jesuit ministry — spanning parish life, refugee service, faith formation, and advocacy — reflects a vocation rooted in accompaniment and service, themes that resonated strongly with the retreat’s focus on discernment.
Gratitude to Our Community
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this year’s retreat. Your presence and participation enrich this annual tradition and strengthen our shared commitment to faith, justice, and professional integrity.
For those who were unable to attend, we missed you and hope you will join us next year. The Annual Lenten Retreat remains one of the Society’s most cherished gatherings, offering a moment of stillness and renewal in the midst of demanding professional lives.
