Claire Dwyer is the editor of and frequent contributor to SpiritualDirection.com and grateful and humbled to be a part of the Avila team.  At the Avila Institute that she discerned the call to be a spiritual director and was introduced to St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, whose life and writings inspired Claire’s first book, This Present Paradise. She has a Master’s certification in Spiritual Theology through the Institute, and an undergraduate degree from Franciscan University--where she currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Leadership Institute. 

Fr. Jesse Maingot, O.P. is a Dominican priest of the Irish Province, currently stationed in Trinidad and Tobago. He was ordained in 2019. He was first assigned as chaplain to the Dominican College at Newbridge, Ireland. Fr. Jesse completed STL in Dogmatic Theology at the Angelicum University in Rome. He is now the Promoter of Eucharistic Adoration for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain.

Fr. Jesse has a real heart for rebuilding the culture of worship and adoration of Our Eucharistic Lord. He is passionate about discovering with others how to be better disposed to experience the gaze of Jesus from the Monstrance. He often quotes “one thing alone is necessary” (Lk 10:42) and “to be near God is our happiness.”( Ps 73:28)

Fr. Ignatius John Schweitzer, O.P. is a Dominican priest of the St. Joseph (Eastern) Province. He was ordained in 2011. He spent six years living as a monk in a Carthusian monastery. He then returned to the Dominicans, discerning a strong call from the Lord to help others grow in the spiritual and mystical life. Upon returning, he completed his STL, writing on The Life, Light, and Fire of Triune Love: A Trinitarian Spirituality from Scripture, Aquinas, Ruusbroec, and John of the Cross. He is the prior of St. Catherine of Siena Priory in New York City, the promoter of the Dominican Laity, and adjunct professor, spiritual director, and formator at St. Joseph’s seminary in Dunwoodie. He hopes to be of service to the Lord’s loving cry to souls and souls’ cry for the Lord: “Abyss calls to abyss!”

Dan Burke is the past President and C.O.O. of EWTN’s worldwide news network. He is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in over 90 countries and prepares men for seminary in over 80 dioceses.

Dan is a best-selling author and editor of numerous books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.

In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.

Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.

Dr. Anthony Lilles, completed his graduate and post-graduate studies in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas. Living in Oxnard, California with his wife Agnes, they are blessed to be parents of three young adults. Dr. Lilles also serves as Associate Professor, Admissions Director and Academic Advisor to the Academic Dean of St. John’s Seminary; and has been appointed as the Academic Dean of St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park. Having taught graduate level theology for over 20 years, Dr. Lilles is specialized in Spiritual Theology, Spiritual Direction, and various classics of Catholic Spirituality. His expertise is in the spiritual doctrine of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. He’s the author of Fire From Above, published by Sophia Institute Press, Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux and 30 days with Teresa of Avila – both published by Emmaus Road.