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The Examen
What Is the Examen? The Examen is 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 our 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; an
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Ignatian Meditation (Discursive Prayer)
· @Dr. Karen Listening and Discerning with the Heart, Using Our Intellect Lectio Divina means holy reading. This method of prayer goes 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 to hear with their ears, but to listen with their hearts. From their hearts they could experience deeply, reflect, and respond with an increased l
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Ignatian Contemplation (Imaginative Prayer)
I God speaks through our imaginations as well as through our understanding, memories, thoughts, intellect, desires, feelings, and emotions. Jesus knew how important one’s imagination was, for He taught in parables, for example, the prodigal son, the widow’s mite, the rich young man, the good Samaritan, and 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… His words live eternally in the past, present, and fut
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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 her prayer life—but she did not want it to be just repeating prayers learned by rote. As she spoke, I gently reflected back what I was hearing: “Is it for a daily rhythm of prayer?” She nodded. Then she added, “Right, not a routine of rote.” “Ah, then a ritual?” “Yes!” She then expressed a desire to come to prayer with greater awareness: “I kno
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Prayer of Recollection: Part I Preparation and Considerations
Prayer of Recollection, Part I: Preparation and Considerations Summary This post introduces the Prayer of Recollection, a contemplative form of prayer described by St. Teresa of Avila and applicable within Ignatian practice. It focuses on collecting the faculties of the soul—memory, intellect, and will—into God’s presence through intentional stillness and awareness. The preparation includes: Posture – Sitting comfortably with the body relaxed and grounded. Closing the Eyes –
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A Particular Examine: Growing in Virtue 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
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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. L SE 313 Rules for understanding to some extent the different movements produced in the soul and for recognizing those that are good to admit them, and those that are bad, to reject them. These rules are more suited to the first week. RULE 1 SE 314 In the case of those who go from one mortal sin to another, the enemy is ordinarily accustomed to propose apparent pleasures. He fills their imag
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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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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
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Ignatian Way of Praying with Scripture
St. Ignatius taught different methods of praying with the scriptures using our intellect, memory, and will. He considered all of our...
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A Daily Prayer Format for the Spiritual Exercises
The Ignatian Prayer Period format is used during The Spiritual Exercises, it is structured with a beginning, middle, and end. When...
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Dryness in Prayer?
Study, Read, Pray Updated: 4 days ago Several of my new directees have expressed a distress in having a ‘dryness’ in their prayer life....
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Colloquy Prayer as Conversation
The Colloquy is a prayer in the form of a free-flowing heart filled conversation by speaking exactly as one friend speaks to another, Saint Ignatius wrote. It is pouring out our thoughts and hearts giving thanks to God. There we speak and listen as the spirit moves expressing ourselves as we would with a friend in meaningful conversation when we leave time for silent listening. (Jim Manney Ignatian Spirituality AtoZ) "Often in the Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius recommends con
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