Communal Reflection
Ignatian Life Communities
Meet our University Minister of Communal Reflection, Sarah Beth Mernaugh!
Sarah Beth Mernaugh, MPS
Magis Lounge, Lower Level of the Dana Center
Email: sbmernau@loyno.edu
Hi yall!
I am so grateful to get to serve Loyola students by providing opportunities to rest, connect with God, and reflect on and off campus. I am the minister responsible for small groups like ILCs and as well as off campus retreats. Being a college student can be an exhausting role and I pray you know how valuable, loved, and worthy you are just for being you. When I am not planning awesome retreats or communal reflection events I love walking in Audubon park, making crafts, and reading. I would love to connect with you about what you are passionate about!
With peace and compassion,
Sarah Beth
What is an ILC?
How does an ILC work?
Ignatian Life Communities (ILCs) are small groups of 6–10 students who meet regularly (usually weekly) to reflect, pray, and talk about life, faith, and what it means to live authentically.
Each gathering includes:
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Opening and closing prayer
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Time to share how you’ve encountered God, meaning, or growth in your week
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An Ignatian reflection experience and discussion
Reflections often include creative and contemplative practices such as meditation, scripture, journaling, art, music, and conversation — all rooted in Ignatian spirituality and meeting students where they are.
What can you gain from being a part of an ILC?
ILCs are grounded in Ignatian spirituality, which invites us to “find God in all things” — in everyday life, relationships, struggles, and joy.
Through ILCs, students often experience:
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Deeper self-awareness and spiritual growth
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Supportive community and meaningful friendships
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Space to reflect on purpose, values, and vocation
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Practices for grounding, prayer, and personal reflection
You do not need to be Catholic, Christian, religious, or spiritual to participate.
All students are welcome, and all can find belonging, reflection, and growth in ILCs.
Affinity ILC Groups
Affinity ILCs bring together students who share a common identity, experience, or community. These groups offer the same reflection structure while creating space for shared lived experience.
🌈 Queer ILC (QILC)
A welcoming, affirming ILC for LGBTQIA+ students to reflect, pray, build community, and explore spirituality in a safe and supportive space.
✨ Imani ILC (Black Student Affinity Group)
Imani means “faith” in Swahili.
This ILC centers Black students and their experiences, creating space for reflection, spirituality, community, and conversation rooted in culture, resilience, and belonging.
♀️Women's Empowerment ILC
This ILC centers women and non-binary students spirituality in a safe and positive setting with a focus on feminism, empowerment, and gender based justice.
Interested in Starting a New Affinity ILC?
We are always open to forming new affinity groups — especially for:
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Spanish-speaking students
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Latinx/Latine heritage communities
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Student organizations, residence halls, athletic teams, or friend groups
If you or a group of students would like to start an affinity ILC, simply indicate your interest on the registration form or reach out directly.
Affinity groups can form at any time during the year.
Please go HERE to register and join and ILC today!
Registration for ILC's is on a rolling basis, so you can join any time during the Fall/Spring semesters.
Please contact Sarah Mernaugh at sbmernau@loyno.edu if you have any questions about Ignatian Life Communities.
Spiritual Companioning
Sacramental Emergency
In case of emergency need for the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick or other pastoral response, please call LUPD at 504-865-3434.
Spiritual Companioning
All University Ministers and Jesuits are available for spiritual companioning, offering a listening ear on a one-time, occasional, or on-going basis. Spiritual companioning includes conversations between a student and a companion, intended to share the experiences of both, with the goal of mutually navigating life's challenges in a spiritual or faith-based perspective.
Pastoral Counseling
Depending on their other professional and ministerial commitments, members of the Jesuit community are available for pastoral counseling, which entails conversations on a one-time, occasional, or on-going bases between a pastoral counselor and a student. The pastoral counseling relationship is characterized by the pastoral counselor listening and offering advice to the student in a spiritual or faith-based perspective.
Spiritual Direction
Depending on their other professional and ministerial commitments, members of the Jesuit community as well as select University Ministers are available for spiritual direction. This relationship is characterized by an intention on the part of both the spiritual director and the student ("directee") to navigate life's challenges in the context of a developing relationship with God. Spiritual direction assumes a mutual perspective steeped in a practiced spiritual or faith tradition.
Grief Counseling
University Ministers are trained to provide a listening ear to people in times of grief. Resident ministers and Jesuits-in-Residence are also available in the residence halls. We work with members of the Counseling Center at Loyola to make referrals, if necessary. Please contact the Student Life and Ministry office at 504.865.3622 or any University Minister for help.
Resident Ministry
The resident ministry program is comprised of lay and religious adults known as “resident ministers” and Jesuits known as "Jesuits-in-Residence" who live in the residence halls to help foster a supportive community in the spirit of the Jesuit ideals on which the university is founded.
Prayer Resources
Prayer Request
Submit your prayer request to be remembered at Masses celebrated at Loyola.
Ignatian Spirituality Forum
Catholic, Jesuit Resources:
Our Daily Bread and The Word Among Us are hard copy resources for daily prayer and reflection located just outside Ignatius Chapel on the first floor of Bobet Hall.
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
America Media
- The Examen with Fr. James Martin, S.J.
- The Word: Scripture Reflections
- The Good Word: Reflections on Life and Faith
The Jesuit Post: Spiritual Reflections by Young Jesuits
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Various Prayers and Devotions
Vatican: Word of the Day
Resources from Off-Campus Houses of Worship:
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral Weekly Bulletin
New Orleans Zen Temple Teachings and Meditations
St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church Sermons
Retreats
Student Life and Ministry provides a variety of opportunities for retreats and days of reflection. This can be a time to experience God’s love more intimately, to reflect on God's presence in all things, and to connect with other students who are interested in exploring their faith. All students of all and no spiritual/religious traditions or practices are welcome on any of the retreats. An attendee does not have to be Catholic or any other Christian denomination or even religious to attend. All SLM retreats are welcoming and safe places for everyone. Check out our offerings below!
Open to all Loyola undergraduate and graduate students
Spring Trip: Feb 19 -21, 2027
Cost: $20 - partial and full Fee Waivers are available when you register
This Wilderness Immersion is an experience that focuses on building community, having fun away from campus in nature, and engaging in eco-spirituality/environmental justice. Participants have the option to stay in tents or cabins and participate in nature hiking, paddling canoes in the lake, eating s'mores over bonfires, and lots of fun activities in community. It takes place once each semester at Lake Fausse Point State Park, LA about 2 hours from Loyola's campus - transportation and meals provided.
Applications open in January 2027.
Spots are limited, a waitlist will be utilized after spots are full.
Open to all Loyola students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends of the community
When: Ash Weds - Easter 2027
Cost: Free
Join the Loyola University New Orleans community in an online reflection experience during Lent. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni will share personal reflections on the daily scriptures, which are shared on our Instagram account @loynoministry throughout Lent and include questions to help you reflect on how the scriptures and topics relate to your life.
Open to all Loyola undergraduate students
When: March 19-21, 2027 - Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon
Cost: $25 - partial and full Fee Waivers are available when you register
The Awakening Retreat encourages students to experience the love of God through community. It's a great way to connect with other students and explore your spirituality. This weekend-long retreat is held at the beautiful Solomon Episcopal Conference Center in Loranger, LA. Based in our Jesuit, Catholic values, the Awakening Retreat is open to students from all religious and non-religious backgrounds who are looking to explore or grow in their spirituality.
Apply for Awakening will open February 2027