Wisdom for the Way...
Is the home of 'On The Way', a series of programs and retreats written and created by Mark and Mary Diggins.
Combining ancient wisdom and contemporary voices, along with the 'Camino Wisdom' of everyday pilgrims, ‘On The Way’ offers a rich and varied set of experiences to assist people in discerning their way on the journey of life.
Based on the dynamic of The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, these retreats and programs incorporate the Ignatian tools of the Awareness Examen, Contemplative Prayer and the Art of Ignatian Discernment. They also use the Creative and Expressive Arts including art, music, poetry, storytelling, labyrinth walking, stillness and awareness exercises. Incorporating the wisdom of the body, a gentle, meditative walk each day/week is part of the process.
What We Offer
Daily Life Retreats
Retreat Days, Weekends and extended ‘Retreats in Daily Life’
Face to face or Zoom
Retreats and Programs via Zoom and/or in person
Ignatian Formation
Ignatian Formation Days, Weekends and Multi-Week programs
Individuals or Groups
Programs for individuals and groups
Music
Workshops in Music and Spirituality
Camino Experiences
Walking Retreats in Nature and Camino Experiences for small groups
Spiritual Direction
The full Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in everyday life (across 34 weeks)
Custom Programs
Personally designed Programmes/Experiences to meet individual/group needs
Get to
Know Us
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We are registered Spiritual Directors and Retreat Givers with Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia (JISA) and are married with three adult children.
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We have held a variety of Teaching, Leadership and Ministry roles as Educators in Catholic Education for the last 38 years in Sydney Australia.
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We are both experienced retreat facilitators, and have considerable experience in accompanying others in their spiritual journey.
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Our life and work has been informed by the experience of Pilgrimage which includes:
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An Ignatian Pilgrimage to Loyola, Montserrat, Manresa, Barcelona, Paris and Rome (1991)
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The Camino de Santiago de Compostella - The Camino Frances (2016)
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The Australian Ignatian Camino from Norwood to Sevenhill SA (2017, 2019, 2022)
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The Camino Ignaciano (2018, 2023)
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About Mary and Mark Diggins
Spiritual Director and Facilitator
Mark Diggins
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Mark has over 30 years experience working in Ignatian Spirituality and Ignatian Formation.
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He is a trained facilitator and leader of Ignatian Retreats.
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Mark is currently registered with ‘Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia’ (JISA) as a Spiritual Director and Giver of the Spiritual Exercises and works as part of the NSW Team based at Peter Canisius House in Pymble Sydney.
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Mark is a teacher of Religious Education and has held the roles of Faith in Service Coordinator and Spiritual Director over the last 23 years.
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Mark is passionate about all things related to walking the Camino and especially enjoys landscape photography and walking in Nature.
Spiritual Director and Facilitator
Mary Diggins
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Mary's background is in Education, the Creative Arts and Spirituality.
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Mary has over 35 years experience working in Ignatian Spirituality and Ignatian Formation in School, Parish and wider church and community settings.
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She is a trained facilitator and leader of Ignatian Retreats.
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Mary is currently registered with ‘Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia’ (JISA) as a Spiritual Director and Giver of the Spiritual Exercises and works as part of the NSW Team based at Peter Canisius House in Pymble Sydney.
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Mary is a qualified musician and singer, and is an experienced leader of song/pastoral musician. She has performed with choirs and groups for many years in the area of Traditional Celtic Music and with the Sydney based A Capella group ‘Colla Voce.’ She has also been a member and Director with the Sydney Threshold Choir specialising in singing at bedsides in the Palliative Care setting.
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Mary is a qualified liturgist, and has worked in collaborative leadership on pastoral and music teams to provide meaningful ritual and celebration in a range of community settings.
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She is passionate about providing sacred spaces for others which provide nourishment, support and connection for the body, mind and spirit.
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Mary is continuing her studies in Therapeutic Harp to offer spaces for accompaniment and healing.
