Grow: Spiritual Development

SLU’s newest students are invited to create new connections within these residence-hall-based communities. Each community will learn how Ignatian spirituality can guide and enrich all aspects of one’s college experience. These communities are facilitated by Campus Ministers Christy Hicks Aydt, Becca Muder and Jim Roach. 

This community provides students on SLU’s medical school campus with the opportunity to discern and deepen their vocation to the healthcare field. As a community, students explore how Ignatian spirituality informs their call to help and heal. This community is facilitated by Campus Minister Erin Fitzpatrick. 

This community is specifically for students identifying as LGBTQ+. As a community, students accompany one another as they navigate Ignatian spirituality’s intersection with LGBTQ identity. This community is facilitated by Kaylee Gutzke, Campus Ministry undergraduate intern, with Campus Minister Patrick Cousins. 

This community explores the movement of God in all things through the lens of Ignatian spirituality while practicing Spanish. Regardless of your faith tradition or degree of fluency in Spanish, you are invited to join. This community is facilitated by Manny Diaz, Aquinas Institute of Theology Campus Ministry intern.

This community seeks to unite women at all points along their SLU journey to explore the joys and challenges of being a woman in the Church and to build an empowering community of support. This community is led by Campus Minister Cynthia Enghauser.

This community meets periodically to visit the cathedrals, temples, mosques, museums, and historical sites that have made the diverse spiritual expressions present in St. Louis what they are today. This community is facilitated by Campus Minister Patrick Cousins. 

This scripture study will explore what it means to be contemplatives in action through delving into Old Testament biblical prophetic tradition. This community is facilitated by Quique Riojas, Campus Ministry liturgy assistant, with Campus Minister Jim Roach.

Thomas Merton once said, “For me to be a saint means to be myself.” This community will explore the lives of modern-day saints from all walks of life and faith traditions to understand how becoming one’s true self allows for a deeper relationship with God, self, and the common good. This community is facilitated by campus ministers Christy Hicks Aydt and Becca Muder. 

This community seeks to explore the integration of Ignatian spirituality into all aspects of one’s daily life. This community is facilitated by Jesuit in Formation Noah Banasiewicz.

SLU Department of Campus Ministry, while having no affiliation with or responsibility for any content generated by the resources, recognizes that some of these may have benefit for those experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one. This list is not meant to be construed as exhaustive, merely suggestive. If you would like to suggest any platforms that you want to suggest for SLU students, email Campus Minister Jim Roach at jim.roach@slu.edu to let him know.

• A Safe Place: "The Safe Place" Is a Minority Mental Health App geared towards the Black Community”
• Actively Moving Forward: “Actively Moving Forward (AMF) is a non-profit whose mission is to help support, empower and connect grieving young adults from coast-to-coast.
• Annie’s Hope: Annie’s Hope is a St. Louis-based nonprofit serving kids, teens and their families who grieve a death.” 
• Ayana Therapy: Online mental health therapy for marginalized and intersectional communities.
• Calm: “Take a deep breath. Train your mind to sleep more, stress less and live better.”
• Exhale App: “Cultivating brave spaces where biwoc belong.”
• Happify: “Overcome negative thoughts, stress and life’s challenges with science-based activities and games.”
• Joyster:  “Joyster is an interactive journal bringing self-awareness by tracking symptoms, patterns, triggers, meals, activities, and more. Your side kick will help you build healthy habits, self-care and mindfulness.”
• Liberate: "Liberate is the #1 meditation app for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community."
• Minds of the Culture: “Created and designed by therapist Dr. Chanda Reynolds, this mobile app is a tool to help the Black community cope with mental health.
• Red Bird Ministries: “We are a Catholic grief support ministry providing support for families who have had to face the unthinkable loss of a child.”
• Sanvello: “A place to feel better, wherever you go: Self-care, peer support, coaching and therapy. Download from the App Store of Google Play.”
• Shine: “We’re on a mission to make caring for your mental and emotional health easier, more representative and more inclusive— of all of our experiences.”
• Therapy for Black Men: "Strength still needs support."
• 7 Cups: “Remove the barriers, get the support. Community of kind, compassionate listeners who provide anonymous and free emotional support.” 
• Yoga for Grief -  "Relieve stress caused by trauma and bring loving awareness to guide the mind and heart to the present moment. This 26-minute session is designed to hold you and comfort you during times of grief or sadness."

SLU’s campus ministry staff members are available for individual conversations — these can be serious, light or anything in between. Appointments can be set up ahead of time by contacting a campus minister, but drop-ins are always welcome.

Campus ministers can assist you with transitions, evolving relationships and other life issues. They also foster prayer and faith development and discernment about your life direction, career or vocation.

St. Francis Xavier College Church can assist engaged couples in meeting church requirements for marriage preparation.