Spiritual Formation

Ignatian spirituality is ever present and alive in our vibrant school community. Using Ignatian spirituality as a guide, all staff teaches students to pray through contemplation, meditations and an examen. Students are taught to make decisions to view God and to use prayer as a practical tool to guide them in everyday life. We teach our students to see and recognize that God is actively involved in the world and intimately involved with us in every moment and place. For us, service means more than just giving, service is listening to marginalized voices to walk with people as we learn their stories.
In keeping with the rich historical traditions of Dolores Mission Church, the school takes an active role by participating in communal events such as the Posadas (Christmas pilgrimage), Novenas (rosaries to our Lady of Guadalupe) and participating in the church Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). Students attend and participate in monthly Masses that celebrate the rich traditions of our Church that promote social teachings such as: Our Lady of Sorrows day, Dia de los Muertos mass, Cesar Chavez, Catholic Schools Week and May Crowning. Prayer services are presented to the students on a monthly basis by grade level and are conducted by various lay persons and Jesuit priests. 
DMS is honored to stand with the men and women of the Guadalupe Homeless Project (GHP) under the direction of Proyecto Pastoral. GHP is a homeless shelter operated in our church and school cafeteria. Did you know that the men and women use the school cafeteria very early each morning and every evening to eat their meals? In fact, the cafeteria is used every single day of the year, making the cafeteria one of the most used rooms at Dolores Mission. Following a 20-year tradition, each month a different class of DMS students and their parents prepare a meal for the men and women. Families take the time to learn about GHP and its connection to our mission of “forming men and women for and with others.” Many of our high school students have shared that this was one of their favorite activities of DMS which taught them to “walk with and understand others.”
Sacraments

Dolores Mission School is proud to recognize and follow the works and teachings of the Catholic Church and St. Ignatius of Loyola. We use these beliefs as the foundational cornerstones for which we base our sacramental teaching for our students. Students are prepared and receive the sacrament of the Eucharist, Reconciliation and Baptism if needed.