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THE EXAMEN - Daily Prayer of Reflection in 'Finding God in All Things'
The Examen a daily prayer of consciousness of ‘finding God in all things’ in growing as a Contemplative in Action . It is a prayer of gratitude, an invitation to discover God's loving action and blessings in your daily life. The Examen is a prayer of graced awareness, reflecting upon encountering God’s presence and action in our everyday lives: to see the day as it was through the eyes of Christ; to discern the Holy Spirit’s leading direction for us; and to respond to the Fat
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A Particular Examine: Growing in Virtue, Overcoming Vice Through Grace
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8 The Grace of Gratitude In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, he reminds us that the first sin Pride comes from not being grateful. All things we have are gifts from God who is our Creator. Pride comes from not living in th
7 min read
Ignatian Meditation (Discursive Prayer)
Listening & Discerning To The Heart Using Our Intellect Lectio Divina means holy reading. This is a method of prayer going back to the early monastic tradition. The monks gathered in chapel to hear a member of the community reading from the Scriptures. In this exercise they were taught and encouraged to listen, not just hear with their ears, but to listen with their hearts. From their hearts they could experience deeply, reflect and respond with an increased love for God.
3 min read
Ignatian Contemplation (Imaginative Prayer)
God speaks through our imaginations as well as through our understandings, memories, thoughts, intellect, desires, feelings, and emotions. Jesus knew how important was one’s imagination for he taught in parables – i.e., the prodigal son, the widow’s mite, the rich young man, the good Samaritan, the one lost sheep. He asks us to be with the Gospel passage as if it is happening now for the word of God has life… words live eternally in our the past, present and the future… they
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The R's in Returning to the Rhythm of the Relationship
During a recent spiritual direction session, a directee shared her longing to return to a regular routine in her life—particularly in...
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Prayer of Recollection: Part I Preparation and Considerations
Summary: The Prayer of Recollection – Preparation and Considerations This post introduces the Prayer of Recollection , a contemplative...
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Second Week: 1st Contemplation The Annunciation to Our Lady
Mysteries of Our Lord from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Week One (M 262) ( June 2021) Preparatory Prayer: Ask God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions, and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty . (SE 46) Desire: I pray for the following grace ________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Lectio: St. Luke 1, 26–38 Announcement of the Bi
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Contemplation on the Cross to the Sepulcher
Mysteries of Our Lord from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Week 3 (M 298) ( May 31, 2021) Preparatory Prayer: Ask God our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions, and operations may be directed purely to the praise and service of His Divine Majesty . (SE 46) Desire: I pray for the following grace ________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Lectio: The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 27 57 Wh
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What are the Spiritual Exercises and Who are They For?
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius A School of Prayer for Encountering God, who is Love loving as Self-revealed in Jesus Christ ...
4 min read
14 Rules for Discernment of Spirits for the 1st Week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Louis J. Puhl, SJ's translation from Original & Fr. Timothy Gallagher OMV's summary. SE 313 Rules for understanding to some extent the...
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Discernment & The Interior Life
Discernment as Decision Making Discernment as decision-making is the process of the act of judging what is true, ought to be, and moving past our limited perceptions using prudence with a reasonable assessment of all the factors. As a Christian decision-making involves much more. We are to use the foundation principles within the Catholic social teachings: dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, charity, and justice and to use discernment in following God’s will. Discernment with
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The Principle and Foundation
"Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul. The other things on the face of the...
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Prayers of St. Ignatius
Prayers by St. Ignatius
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Guidelines for the Journey
The Spiritual Exercises journey is a structured prayer experience. St. Ignatius offers some helpful advice. We are wise to listen to his...
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The Review of The Prayer Exercise
The Review is a distinct spiritual exercise used in the Spiritual Exercises by which the pilgrim reflects on his/her own experiences.
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Recommended Books
Recommended reading list for St. Ignatius, Ignatian Spirituality, Discernment and the Spiritual Exercises.
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Our Lady of the Way: Patron Saint of Pilgrims
Ignatius' veneration of Our Lady was a deep and profound part of his spirituality in his journey as a pilgrim and in the founding of the Soc
3 min read
What is Ignatian Spirituality?
Ignatian Spirituality is based upon the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the great mystic, who shared with us his methods of prayer, the
3 min read
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