Mission & Identity

Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you,

that your prophets be found true.

Hear the prayers of your servant,

and of your people Israel. (cf Sirach 36:18)

(Entrance Antiphon, Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time B)

Term 3 draws to a close, and I wish our students rest and time for re-creation (as different from mere recreation), and our families special time together.

Term breaks can be an invitation to reflect on important ‘things,’ as we are given the opportunity to step back from our normal busy-ness. Blessed Edmund Rice was influenced by the Society of Jesus during his time of discernment. We know the result of his reflection, his choices, and his actions. We live his legacy every day here at St Patrick’s College as we pursue our call to educate hope-filled, compassionate and confident young men for their place in the world. 

It is one thing to share in the benefits of Blessed Edmund’s discernment: it is another to share in the reality of his foundational growth through prayer. St Ignatius, who was the founder of the Society of Jesus, composed a set of Spiritual Exercises that include the Daily Examen – a prayer Blessed Edmund would have used constantly. 

The Examen is an accessible and practical way to look for God’s presence in your life. This term break, I invite our families to try this version of St Ignatius’s Daily Examen. All you need are a few quiet moments at the end of the day. The steps, perhaps, may be followed as a family as you gather in the evening? In whatever way possible, take a few minutes to be guided by this wisdom, and through the grace of God, encounter the same Spirit that inspired Blessed Edmund Rice. 

1. Become aware of God’s presence. Look back on the events of the day in the company of the Holy Spirit. The day may seem confusing to you — a blur, a jumble, a muddle. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding.

2. Review the day with gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the day’s gifts. Look at the work you did, the people you interacted with. What did you receive from these people? What did you give them? Pay attention to small things — the food you ate, the sights you saw, and other seemingly small pleasures. God is in the details.

3. Pay attention to your emotions. One of St Ignatius’s great insights was that we detect the presence of the Spirit of God in the movements of our emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the day. Boredom? Elation? Resentment? Compassion? Anger? Confidence? What is God saying through these feelings?

God will most likely show you some ways that you fell short. Make note of these sins and faults. But look deeply for other implications. Does a feeling of frustration perhaps mean that God wants you consider a new direction in some area of your work, school, or life? Are you concerned about a friend? Perhaps you should reach out to her or him in some way.

4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the day that God thinks is particularly important. It may involve a feeling— positive or negative. It may be a significant encounter with another person or a vivid moment of pleasure or peace. Or it may be something that seems rather insignificant. Look at it. Pray about it. Allow the prayer to arise spontaneously from your heart —whether intercession, praise, repentance, or gratitude.

5. Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up. Are you doubtful? Cheerful? Apprehensive? Full of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask him for help and understanding. Pray for hope.

St Ignatius encouraged people to talk to Jesus like a friend. End the Daily Examen with a conversation with Jesus. Ask forgiveness for your sins. Ask for his protection and help. Ask for his wisdom about the questions you have and the problems you face. Do all this in the spirit of gratitude. Your life is a gift, and it is adorned with gifts from God. End the Daily Examen with the Our Father. 

This text for the Examen was sourced from How Can I Pray? - Daily Examen - IgnatianSpirituality.com

And may God bless your every effort.