The Authors
Steeped in the Gospel through the lens of Ignatian spirituality, Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and Sister Marie Schwan have ministered separately and together for over 38 years. Beginning in Northwestern Minnesota, where they conducted days of prayer in rural areas, they established a Center of Christian Renewal, and eventually collaborated in writing several books on Ignatian philosophy. Their main work being the writing of the five volume Take and Receive series, based upon Ignatian principles. The series received worldwide recognition, and were published in five languages.
In May of 2013, Jacqueline and Marie were recognized with the Hearts on Fire Writer's Award in spirituality by the Loyola Institute, Los Angeles, California.
Jacqueline Syrup Bergan, a mother and grandmother, began her professional career as a nurse anesthetist. She muses about going from putting people to sleep to attempting to awaken them to the beauty of prayer and spirituality. Over the years she has lectured, taught Ignatian spirituality and Contemplative Prayer, as well as offing retreats and spiritual direction. She currently operates a private practice offering spiritual direction and is associated with the Sacred Ground Center for Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Directors International. She resides on a beautiful Wisconsin lake and recently celebrated her 80th birthday.
Marie Schwan, as a member of the Congregation of Saint Joseph, spent a number of years in Post
Vatican II and Biblical renewal within her community and beyond. This included fourteen years as associate director of the Jesuit Retreat House In Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She taught summer sessions of the Christian Spirituality Program at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Throughout her life, Marie was sought after as a spiritual director and confidant by many who were seeking to find a deeper realization of God's love and who saw in Marie, a deep faith and devotion which they wished to emulate. Marie passed away at age 81, in December of 2014.
