Faith. Community. Leadership.
About CLA
Contemplative Leaders in Action (CLA) is an Ignatian spirituality and leadership program for young adults.
CLA participants are formed in Ignatian spirituality, practice the art of Ignatian discernment, and study Ignatian leadership.
CLA is an 18-month program that begins and ends with retreat experiences. Cohorts generally gather twice per month: a cohort session (in-person or virtual) and a virtual workshop in which all CLA cohorts, nationwide, participate. Three Days of Reflection are integrated throughout the program.
What does “Ignatian” mean?
“Ignatian” refers to the spiritual tradition inspired by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Society of Jesus (aka the Jesuits).
CLA is deeply rooted in the Ignatian tradition. The program is sponsored by the Jesuits and partners with religious communities and lay people inspired by the teachings of St. Ignatius.
Ignatian Leadership
Ignatian leadership is a way of being in the world deeply rooted in Ignatian spirituality and informed by a “way of proceeding” found in the Jesuit tradition. Ignatian leadership is marked by humility, hope, authenticity, a profound sense of purpose, and, most notably, discernment. Ignatian leaders are contemplatives in action, who pay attention to how God is moving in their lives and respond to the needs of the world.
The CLA Experience
The CLA program runs for 18 months, beginning in September and with a 2-month break in July and August. Since community is such an important part of CLA, we limit each cohort to 16-18 participants. Here’s how the program is structured.
3 Ways to Participate
The success of our 2021 inaugural virtual cohort has led to a new experiment in 2023: *hybrid cohorts! This combines in-person and virtual experiences. All members (in-person & hybrid) attend in-person retreats and days of reflection. Monthly cohort sessions are divided into two: (1) an in-person section and (2) a virtual section.
*Currently only available in North Carolina. Participants within driving distance of a CLA “hub” location may apply for the hybrid option.
Retreats and Days of Reflection
Weekend retreats and days of reflection provide the opportunity for deeper engagement with your fellow participants. There are 2 retreats — one at the beginning and another at the end — and 3 Days of Reflection integrated into the CLA experience.
Virtual Workshops
Virtual workshops gather and connect CLA participants from across the country. Workshops are designed to introduce themes and new content and are led by subject-matter experts.
Cohort Sessions
Monthly meetings provide an opportunity for you to gather (in-person or virtually) and engage topics more deeply through discussion, reflection, and prayer in community. Sessions are guided by our cohort coordinators and facilitators.
Independent Work & Exercises
Throughout the CLA experience, you will be invited to explore a variety of resources and practices to support your spiritual and leadership journey, and augment your sharing and engagement in cohort sessions.
Spiritual Direction
You will be given the opportunity to meet with a spiritual director during portions of the program. To learn more about spiritual direction, check out these resources.
