Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Ignatian Contemplation

with Dena Jennings

Friday, August 28, 2026

4-6pm Ireland

11am-1pm Eastern

8-10am Pacific

“For it is not knowing much, but realising and relishing things interiorly, that contents and satisfies the soul.”

~St. Ignatius of Loyola

Program Description

Ignatian Contemplation is a means of seeking deeper understanding of the scriptures through our senses. Many around the world desire to rest in the presence of the Divine. It is a longing that leads us to the heart of contemplation and the examination of our lives, thoughts, and actions.

Join the ancient journey of monastics through the mind of 16th century St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spain. We will look at his life and influences as we examine the aspects of human nature that use imagination to understand the world. Together, we will practice how to rest in the Word through Ignatian Contemplation— a lively way to experience a relevant meaning of the scriptures.

We will turn on closed captioning during the live Zoom session (which you are able to turn off in your settings if you find distracting) as well as provide a video recording with closed captioning available and a text transcript of the session within 24 hours. You will be sent a notification when this is ready to view.

You have lifetime access to all online programs.

Your Guide for the Journey

Dena Ross Jennings

Dena Jennings

Dena Jennings, D.O. is a luthier, musician, writer, Virginia Master Naturalist, and an Internal Medicine physician with certification in Ayurvedic practice. In addition to over 30 years of  medical practice, she completed a 4-year apprenticeship with a sculptor and luthier in Ontario, Canada where she learned to design and built the gourd instruments of cultures around the world. In 2013 Dr. Jennings married her best friend Donald Jennings and moved to their organic herb farm and wildlife preserve in Nasons, VA which they lovingly call the Farmashramonastery. There, she practices medicine and counselling, hosts contemplative retreats, hikes, and meditation, and raises angora rabbits. 

In the larger community, she conducts conflict transformation workshops including one for artistic ambassadors through the US State Department in Washington, DC. She has developed accredited curricula of meditation for racial justice, and for cultural sensitivity in artistic performance. In 2019, she was appointed to the Virginia Commission for the Arts where she serves as the chairperson.

Since 1996, Dr. Jennings has been the Executive Director and founder of Imani Works, a human rights advocacy group that enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Department of Social and Economic Affairs. Through Imani Works, she provides evaluations for asylum seekers. You can reach her for bookings, consultations, and counselling by visiting ImaniWorks.net online.

Registration

Your registration constitutes an agreement with our online program Terms and Conditions below.

Please read our Financial Access Policy. 

We offer a sliding scale of 3 fees for payment. The reduced fee is for those who need financial assistance and the sponsorship fee helps support our ability to offer scholarships. In an effort to keep this program accessible, please carefully consider both your own resources as well as honoring the expense, time, and energy required to run these programs and keep our work sustainable. Thank you!

Please be careful to enter your correct email address when you register. 
Price displayed in USD.

$45

Standard fee

$60

sponsorship fee

$30

reduced fee

If you are in need of additional financial assistance please fill out our Scholarship Request form. 

Terms and Conditions

Please consider your purchase carefully and review the many free materials we have on our website to make sure the program will be a good fit or get in touch with any questions.

We ask that you honor our work by not sharing the program materials with others who are not enrolled.

Please contact us for permission to quote in settings beyond the program

Your registration implies consent to be added to our weekly email newsletter. You are free to unsubscribe or change frequency at any time. We never sell your personal information.

If you choose a payment plan and stop payment before fulfilling the commitment without contacting us to make other arrangements, your access to the program will be removed.