When the Basilica was inaugurated in 1901, another work dear to the Duchess of Villahermosa was already underway, the ‘Apostolic School’.

It was meant to be a kind of seminary where children with an inclination to follow on the missionary footsteps of St. Francis Xavier could be formed and educated from their tender years.

The School was opened in 1904 and run by the Jesuits. When social and religious changes set off a fast process of dwindling birth rate, and the religiosity of the families waned by and large, there were very few children, and nearly none who felt a missionary calling. So the School had to be closed in 1986.

The building was kept and adapted to become the Centro Ignaciano de Espiritualidad (CIE), a centre to foster and spread the Spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

This old and well tested spirituality   remains even today an effective inspiration to deepen the Christian experience and live it in depth, in an integrated and harmonious way. We believe that St. Ignatius’ understanding and living the following of Christ is a true and useful way of putting into practice the Gospel, our Christian faith and our relationship with God.

A variety of different activities and modalities try to cater to the individual situation and needs:

-The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

We adapt the time and manner of undergoing this rich experience: there are longer and shorter Retreats, with a personal accompaniment or in groups, week-ends to review and guide the personal practice, their practice in the ordinary life, etc

-There are also workshops, talks and courses on the Spiritual Exercises, the Ignatian spirituality in its broader sense, Bible study, Talks and Seminars on different spiritual topics, Clergy Retreats, Marriage preparation courses, and more.

-Even if the name of the centre seems to point only to a Jesuit framework, the CIE is open to any other spirituality. We believe that every path of spirituality can enrich the others with its peculiarities. It can lead to the discovery and understanding of the manifold richness of the mystery of Christ.  

-The Youth groups find ample space and beautiful surroundings to be able to combine prayer and reflection with group sharing and with games and recreation. 

The fact that the centre is located in the very same place where St. Francis Xavier was born adds a touch of missionary flavour, and broadens mind and heart while it brings in all the corners of the world that he evangelized.