Manresa Collective

Short Program Description:

Manresa is the mission formation cohort program capstone for both faculty and staff at Gonzaga University. This capstone is oriented toward action and encourages participants to apply their learning in a way that more intentionally infuses mission into some aspect of their work. Manresa is a year-long program, with most sessions concentrated in the fall semester. It is open to faculty and staff who have completed the Parisian Faculty Seminar or Cardoner Mission Formation Program. Following completion of Manresa, individuals are recognized as Mission Advocates.

Program components include:
– Learning and practicing Ignatian discernment
– Mission engagement project (individual or group) proposal
– Scaffolded support and coaching to enact the project
– Project presentation at the annual Closing Celebration for all formation cohorts

Program Goals/Intended Outcomes:

1. Summarize discernment from the Ignatian tradition.
2. Identify the significance of how discernment can shape Jesuit colleges and universities.
3. Utilize discernment tools.
4. Establish a community of mission advocates with faculty and staff colleagues.
5. Understand oneself as co-responsible for mission.
6. Implement a mission engagement project.
7. Create an artifact representing one’s mission engagement project.
8. Share the mission engagement project at year-end celebration, inspiring future cohorts toward action.

How long does it take to complete the program?: Multiple Days

Further Details on Completing Program: Twelve 75-minute sessions

Total Program Length: One year, with most work done in fall semester.

Key University/Other Partners: Office of Mission Engagement

Funding Source(s): Snacks and sparkling water provided by Office of Mission Engagement. The Office of Mission Engagement also has a small budget for supporting mission engagement projects, if requested and approved.

Program Material 1: 2025-26 Manresa Collective Syllabus

Program Material 2: Manresa Mission Engagement Project Proposal

Program Material 3: Making Decisions in a Discerning Way Handout

Program Material 4: Discernment & Interior Listening Handout

Program Material 5: Discernment Circle PPT

Lessons Learned:

Not everyone who signs up discerns a mission formation project. It is important to offer support outside of sessions to help participants identify a project. The most important thing is to help people effectively articulate why their project is connected to the mission (reference Catholic Social Teaching, Universal Apostolic Preferences, Characteristics of Jesuit Higher Education document, etc).

Assessment Data:

Mission formation project proposals are submitted to and reviewed by the Office of Mission Engagement. A Qualtrics survey is sent at the end of the year to gather feedback on how helpful each session was and what participants learned.

Please Provide Any Other Information:

The Office of Mission Engagement is in the process of determining programming for graduates of the Manresa Collective, a.k.a. the 36 Mission Advocates (to date). Office staff hope to continue convening and engaging in discussions on ways to advance the mission across campus.