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 reflection, spiritual grounding, and the Ignatian practice of discernment. Each year, this retreat offers our community of legal professionals 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.
Attendees explored Ignatian discernment by practicing lectio divina. Guided by scripture from Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:4-8, Luke 5:1-11, and 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7, and engaging in small group sessions, we were awakened to our own “belovedness”, recognizing God’s call and mission for each of us, and reflecting upon our unique gifts.
Lori’s depth of experience as a spiritual director, retreat leader, and pastoral minister shaped a morning that was both contemplative and deeply personal.
Prayer, Reconciliation, and Community
Following the reflection and sessions in the Ackerman Dining Room and Dunn Courtyard, Fr. Travis Russell, SJ, President of Verbum Dei Jesuit High School, led the prayer service with a reading from the Gospel, homily, and closed with the sacrament of reconciliation.
Gratitude to Our Community
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this year’s retreat. For those who were unable to attend, we missed you and hope you will join us next year.
