Teresa Elia

Teresa “Tess” Elia is a spiritual director whose practice centers on the Ignatian invitation to “find God in all things.” Her approach is rooted in a lifetime of rich experience—spanning a career in healthcare, pastoral work in hospice settings, university teaching, and the sacred vocation of raising three children.

Tess currently serves as a spiritual director at Fairfield University and Yale Divinity School, offering guidance to students, faculty, and staff. She leads the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in both traditional and adapted forms, and regularly facilitates retreats for academic and faith communities, including faculty and student retreats at Lauralton Hall.

Deeply formed by the wisdom of St. Ignatius, Richard Rohr, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J., Thich Nhat Hanh, Mary Oliver, Don Miguel Ruiz, and other mystics, Tess integrates contemplative practices with a commitment to service and inner transformation. She is an active member of the American Teilhard Association, and draws spiritual inspiration from the sacred rhythms of the natural world and the unfolding story of the universe.

Tess completed her training in Spiritual Direction and for Supervision of Spiritual Directors at the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Fairfield University. Whether you are focused on forming a relationship to your inner wisdom or seeking a deeper connection to the divine, Tess welcomes the opportunity to walk alongside you as you discern the presence and grace of God in your life.