Over the past 25+ years, thousands of people have participated in ISP programs across the country. In their stories, we have seen a consistent pattern emerge. Transformation is not a one-time event or a straight line, but a rhythm people circle through as we grow — movements of the spirit that deepen and repeat across a lifetime.

This isn’t just our observation. The wisdom of Ignatian spirituality, the Twelve Steps, and decades of scientific research converge here: healing follows a recognizable path. At its core, transformation is about moving beyond shame into acceptance, discovering belonging in community, and finding purpose in giving to others. And this encounter is never one-sided. It transforms both those who receive and those who accompany. As Fr. Ted Penton, SJ, described in Studies in the Spirituality of Jesuits (2020), these are the central spiritual movements that underlie healing:

1. From Shame to Acceptance: Moving from the weight of shame into the grace and freedom of feeling deeply loved and forgiven by God.

2. From Isolation to Community: Experiencing the love of the Trinitarian God — a love shared in relationship, where we discover ourselves as both deeply loved and made to love others.

3. From Community to Reaching Out to Others: Allowing the love we have received to flow outward, moving us into solidarity and service.

The six waypoints are the language participants themselves use to describe their journey. Each one reflects a deeper spiritual movement. Together, they form a rhythm of healing that circles through a lifetime:

Stories that Illuminate the Path

Claire knew she didn’t want to return to the life she had been living. After 18 months in prison, she discovered in silence and community that God could be at the center of her life.

Her story reveals the first sparks of seeking and hope.

Hear Claire’s Story →

Alice learned that telling the truth about her life — even the parts long buried — was itself a form of healing. Sharing her story allowed her to bring repressed memories into the light, to experience the healing that comes when wounds are named without judgment, and to recognize God’s grace at work in what once felt only like shame.

Her story shows how sharing our story deepens trust and relationships.

Watch Alice’s Story →

Kevin and Amy walked through decades of addiction, homelessness, and recovery together.

Their story testifies that healing is found in companionship, and that walking with others brings new meaning to life.

Hear Kevin & Amy’s Story →

Why This Matters

Research supports what these stories proclaim:

• Faith and spirituality consistently improve outcomes in recovery (Handbook of Religion and Health).

• Circles of trust and storytelling increase resilience and reduce relapse (PubMed Central, 2015 & 2021).

• Strong social support dramatically improves long-term healing (PubMed Central, 2023).

But beyond data, these stories remind us of a truth at the heart of the Gospel: God’s grace meets us in our shame, calls us into community, and sends us out in love to serve others.

Your Place in the Journey

Every circle of welcome, every space of deep listening, every step toward belonging is made possible by companions who believe in transformation.

Thank you for walking this journey with us.