This is Week 3 of Desires of the Heart, a 10-week series on Ignatian spirituality and prayer. The text below is meant to companion the audio teaching and meditation. Click play and feel free to follow along. You may also download a PDF this week’s “handout” here.
“Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
– Luke 2:19
BACKGROUND
St Ignatius of Loyola said that the Examen is the most important prayer we can pray even if it’s all we do. Jesuits are asked to pray the Examen twice daily. This prayer comes right from the Spiritual Exercises and can be adapted to individual need and preference. The purpose of the Examen is to help us become more aware of God’s active participation and invitation in our daily lives and be an exploration of how we respond. It’s turns reflection into prayer.
Ignatius’ Version
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We are then asked to close with an Our Father or similar prayer.
- Trust your feelings: they can tell you a lot about God’s movement in your heart and how the evil spirit may be moving
- Emotions can prompt us to make decisions and make changes in our lives
- What might God be showing me through my experiences and feelings?
- Pray the Examen before lunch, before bed, or walking somewhere
RESOURCES
- More on the Examen from Loyola Press
- Evening Examen
- Video guided examination of conscience
| If you would like to offer this 10-week series to your group or parish you can download a full PDF of the programme here. Contributions are requested if you offer it in active ministry setting. |
Listen to the audio teaching and meditation…
Music by Kevin MacLeod
I am very grateful for all you share, Andy!
This surely wonderful! Blessings!