Frequently Asked Questions
What is CLA?
CLA is a leadership program for young adults, rooted in the Ignatian tradition. We believe the world needs Ignatian leaders — passionate “contemplatives in action” discerning God’s movements in their lives and responding out of love as people with and for others. CLA helps form leaders who are hopeful, joyful, and free to be their authentic selves. This kind of leadership flows from a deep spiritual life and inspired sense of purpose. When you join CLA, you will be given the chance to become a Contemplative Leader in Action.
What happens in CLA?
A lot! During the course of your CLA experience you will be part of a community made up of passionate, encouraging peers. You will have opportunities to explore Ignatian spirituality and learn how to integrate it in your life. You will learn from generous, inspiring people dedicated to sharing their leadership insights. Through presentations, discussion, reading, prayer, and reflection you will have the time and space to contemplate the meaning of your life, the needs of the world, and how you choose to respond.
Who can participate in CLA?
CLA invites emerging young adult leaders between 24 and 39 to apply. Our ideal cohort is composed of people from diverse identities, professional experiences, and educational backgrounds. Successful applicants demonstrate a commitment to CLA’s three pillars: faith, leadership, and community.
* See Sons and Daughters of Light by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for more information on young adult ministry.
Where is CLA being offered?
CLA’s 2023-2025 cohorts include Baltimore, Boston, Denver, Detroit, New York City, North Carolina, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington, DC, and a Virtual cohort. Since 2008, CLA has also had cohorts in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Orange County (CA), St. Louis, and Syracuse.
What is the length of CLA?
The CLA program is approximately 18 months. The 2023-2025 program will run from September 2023 to April 2025 with a 2-month interlude in July and August.
Do I have to live in the (CLA) city?
No. CLA cohorts are regionally based. Anyone from a particular region is welcome to apply. We do, however, recommend living within one hour of the city given feedback from past participants.
We offer a Virtual Cohort for those who do not live in a region where CLA already operates.
People who live in a region where CLA operates may participant in the Virtual Cohort (given extenuating circumstances), however, those who do not have a CLA cohort in their region will be prioritized in the selection process.
Our North Carolina Hybrid option combines the in-person and virtual experience. All members of the North Carolina cohort (in-person & hybrid) attend in-person retreats and days of reflection. Monthly cohort sessions are divided into two sections: (1) an in-person Charlotte section and (2) a virtual section for those who live too far to travel monthly to Charlotte. Hybrid participants must be able to travel to the CLA “hub” location - St. Peter Catholic Church, Charlotte - 5 times within the 18 month program.
What are the three ways to participant in CLA?
Regional: Retreats, Days of Reflection and monthly cohort sessions are all in-person.
Hybrid: Combines the in-person and virtual experience. All members of the cohort (in-person and hybrid) attend in-person retreats and days of reflection. Monthly cohort sessions are divided into two sections: (1) an in-person section and (2) a virtual section
Virtual: The entire experience is virtual.
Program content is consistent whether you select to apply to a regional, hybrid, or virtual cohort. Only the method of delivery (in-person or virtual) is different. To learn more visit our Three Ways to Participate in CLA section.
What is the time commitment?
CLA begins and ends with a weekend retreat, both of which begin at 6:00 PM on Friday and end at 1:00 PM on Sunday. There are three Days of Reflection integrated throughout the program, which usually take place from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
CLA meets twice per month: once for a virtual workshop, attended by participants across the U.S. and abroad, and once for a cohort session (in-person and virtual). The workshops are approximately 90 minutes, in-person cohort sessions are 3 hours, and virtual cohort sessions are 2 hours.
There are readings and exercises between each gathering. Participants should anticipate approximately 2 - 3 hours per month of independent engagement. Beyond the regular program, participants are encouraged to take advantage of extra-curricular offerings. Check out our online calendar.
How much does CLA cost?
CLA tuition is based on the program format:
In-Person: $1,975; Hybrid: $1,775; Virtual: $1,475
Financial assistance is available. We also offer payment plans to spread out the cost. Check the cohort-specific application portal for details.
Thanks to the generosity of the Society of Jesus and our local partners, the tuition for CLA is generally less than 40% of the actual cost.
Where does my tuition go?
CLA tuition fees covered 42% of the total budgeted cost of the 2021-2023 program. The true cost of $3943 per participant was largely subsidized by the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Program expenses can be broken down into six major categories: Personnel (56%), Retreats & Days of Reflection (16%), Presenter & Spiritual Direction Fees (12%), Financial Assistance (11%), Participant Resources (8%), Travel (7%), Technology & Communications (1%). After financial assistance is distributed, tuition fees cover approximately 31% of budgeted expenses.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes, you can request a financial assistance packet when you apply. The Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS) makes every effort to make CLA available to those who may not otherwise be able to participate. Financial assistance is entirely need-based, will be made available until resources are no longer available, and has no bearing on one's admission to CLA. Given the limited resources available for assistance, we request that people only apply if they absolutely cannot afford the tuition. In order to address the needs of as many applicants as possible, financial assistance is always partial.
How are participants selected to be part of a cohort?
The CLA enrollment process is designed to put together the best possible cohort. The selection committee looks for applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to the pillars of CLA: faith, leadership, and community. Important attributes of a successful candidate include:
Strong interpersonal skills
Time management
Accountability
The ability to engage across different perspectives
Capacity for faith-sharing, dialogue & reflection
Openness to learning & growth
We want to create cohorts that reflect the diversity of our faith community: different identities, professional experiences, and educational backgrounds.
Do I have to be Catholic?
One of the many gifts of the Ignatian tradition is its openness. CLA participants range from life-long Catholics to spiritual seekers, converts, and those who are questioning what they believe. The CLA community has been enriched by the diversity of values and beliefs. At the heart of CLA is Ignatian spirituality, itself deeply rooted in the Catholic faith, the history and culture of the Society of Jesus, and the legacy of countless people who have sought to find “God in all things.” This tradition informs both the context and the content of CLA. We invite any young adult open to deepening their relationship to God to join us on this journey.
Do I need to have attended a Jesuit school or be a member of a Jesuit parish to participate in CLA?
No! We welcome anyone striving to be an Ignatian leader. Only about half of our participants have gone to Jesuit schools or attended Jesuit parishes. CLA intentionally brings together people from a variety of backgrounds with varying levels of familiarity with the Jesuits and Ignatian spirituality. All are welcome! An affiliation with the Jesuits is neither a requirement nor will it impact our selection process.
How do I apply to CLA?
The first thing to do is make sure you reviewed information about CLA on your city’s application page. Please pay special attention to the “When & Where” section.
In order to ensure a dynamic community, you must have the availability and ability to commit. If you are willing and able to make a strong, good faith commitment to participation, we strongly encourage you to apply!
What happens after I apply?
There are two CLA application deadlines:
Early Decision Deadline - March 31, 2023
Application Deadline - May 1, 2023
Within one month of each deadline, all application submissions will be reviewed. Applicants who demonstrate alignment with CLA's program goals will be invited for an interview.
This is a 30 minute conversation with the Application Review Committee, composed of a cohort coordinator and CLA alumni or current CLA participant. Following a successful interview, your references may be contacted.
Decisions will be communicated approximately one month from the application deadline. Applications will either be accepted, offered a place on the wait-list, or declined.
What should I expect if I am accepted?
Successful candidates will be sent a welcome packet, which includes a program overview, some introductory materials, and a tuition payment plan agreement. You will have 10 days to return the completed agreement with your deposit in order to reserve your place in the cohort. If we don’t receive your enrollment materials within 10 days, you will be moved to the waitlist.
What does “Ignatian” mean?
Good question! “Ignatian” refers to the spiritual tradition inspired by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Society of Jesus (aka the Jesuits). Ignatian spirituality is a beautiful legacy of this tradition and is part of the spiritual lives of people around the world. CLA is rooted in this tradition.
What is “Ignatian leadership”?
Ignatian leadership is a way of being in the world deeply rooted in Ignatian spirituality and informed by a “way of proceeding” found in the Jesuit tradition. Ignatian leadership is marked by humility, hope, authenticity, a profound sense of purpose, and discernment. Ignatian leaders pay attention to how God is moving in their lives and respond to the needs of the world.
Who sponsors CLA?
CLA is a program of Ignatian Young Adult Ministries, an initiative of the Office of Ignatian Spirituality, which is a ministry of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) on the East Coast. The program is rooted in the spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. We work with partner organizations to sponsor CLA in a number of regions in the United States.
What happens at the workshops?
Virtual workshops gather participants from all our cohorts across the country. Workshops are 90-minute sessions designed to introduce themes and content and are led by a subject-matter expert.
What happens at the cohort sessions?
Cohort Sessions allow participants time to build community, engage topics more deeply through discussion, reflection, and prayer, and connect program themes and practices to their lived experience. Meetings are facilitated by the CLA cohort coordinator.
What happens on the retreats and days of reflection?
Weekend retreats and Days of Reflection provide the opportunity for deeper engagement with your fellow participants. The opening retreat allows cohort members to get to know each other and introduces some of the major themes of the program. Days of Reflection offer time and space to focus, individually and as a community, on what has been learned and how you will integrate it into your life. Finally, the closing retreat is a chance to reflect back on your CLA experience, look forward to how you will respond as a contemplative leader in action, and name your strategies for growth beyond CLA.
I’m not a young adult (24-39). How can I get involved?
The Office of Ignatian Spirituality offers a number of excellent programs! In particular, we encourage you to check out OIS’s Magis program.
If you’d like to be involved with CLA, drop us a line — we’d love to get to know you! The CLA community is made up of participants, alums, spiritual directors, advisors, and incredible supporters and friends of the program.
I’m a CLA alum. How do I stay connected?
We’re glad you asked. CLA is committed to offering virtual events for the entire CLA community — participants, alumni, and friends. We’re also happy to support alumni in each region seeking to organize locally. One of the major goals for the coming year is to enhance our alumni network. In order to do so, we need dedicated volunteers. If you’re able to help, let us know! Lastly, make sure you’ve signed up for CLA updates — we promise not to email you too much!
I have some questions. Is there someone I can talk to about CLA?
Of course! We encourage you to contact your cohort coordinator with questions about the program. You are also encouraged to attend one of our virtual Info Sessions.
