A Spiritual Warm Up: An Experience of the Spiritual Exercises
Must watch videos and discussion for anyone who has ever been curious and wants to know more about The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola.
When we head out for a run or arrive at the gym we usually warm up first…
In our first session, Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, and Roxanne De La Torre offered a warm up to the Spiritual Exercises. We learned how spiritual exercise can enhance your prayer life and strengthen your relationship with God. Watch the video below:
Then, during our second session, a panel of young adults (Dave de la Fuente, Roxanne De La Torre, and Nikkie Pacheco) shared their experiences of the Spiritual Exercises and how the Exercises have impacted their lives. Watch the video below:
This Jesuit Connections two-part online series took place on October 10 and 24, 2023.
About the Presenters and Panel
Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ
Presenter, Part One
Moderator, Part Two
Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, is a Jesuit priest from the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus. He currently serves as the parochial vicar/local pastor for Bellarmine Chapel Catholic Parish on the campus of Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. Originally from Kansas City, MO, Damian received his MDiv from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, a master of arts in social philosophy from Loyola University Chicago, and earned his bachelor of arts in theatre from Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, KS. He has worked in the field of theatre for over three decades, concentrating on amplifying marginalized and oppressed voices. He is a retreat and spiritual director, LGBTQ+ advocate, contributor to The Jesuit Post, and co-founder of the Jesuit Antiracism Sodality (JARS), a network of Jesuits and lay collaborators examining racism to advance racial equity and liberation with an Ignatian lens.
Roxanne De La Torre
Presenter, Part One
Panelist, Part Two
Roxanne De La Torre currently serves as the Director of Outreach at Xavier Mission, a for-impact organization in New York City supporting those struggling with food and housing insecurity. Roxanne is also a Spiritual Director and serves as the Regional Coordinator of the NYC Contemplative Leaders in Action (CLA) cohort. She studied Theology and Communications & Media Studies at Fordham University and earned her master’s degree in Religious Education with a concentration in Youth & Adult Ministry at Fordham's Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education. She volunteered with the Cabrini Mission Corps, serving at Cabrini University's Wolfington Center for Service & Justice, and then served with the Jesuit Volunteers Corps from 2012-2014 at St. Peter Claver High School - a Jesuit boarding school in Dodoma, Tanzania. Roxanne then returned to Fordham University as the Director of The Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice.
Dave de la Fuente
Panelist, Part Two
Dave de la Fuente is a Ph.D. Candidate in systematic theology at Fordham University and a lay pastoral associate at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City. His ministry involves directing the parish’s OCIA ministry, accompanying the young adult ministry (Apostolist), and serving as an Ignatian spiritual director.
Nikkie Pacheco
Panelist, Part Two
Nikkie Pacheco is a husband and currently a PhD student in Applied Economics at Northeastern University. He has been Jesuit educated for more than half his life through Ateneo de Manila University and Georgetown University. Recently, he completed the 19th Annotation retreat in daily life and is now part of the Contemplative Leaders in Action (CLA) Boston cohort.