· @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

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

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

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 –

The Ignatian Prayer Period format is used during The Spiritual Exercises, it is structured with a beginning, middle, and end. When...

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