Examen Prayer

The Examen of Consciousness was designed by Ignatius of Loyola to be a daily call to prayer and reflection.  It is both a prayer of repentance and an affirming reminder of God's love.

Ignatius considered this kind of prayer to be the most important single spiritual exercise we can do.  He did it daily, and he urged all his friends to do the same.

Thursday, March 11, 2010-Mark Relation

1. Good afternoon. Would the people in the hallways please stop for today's examen prayer of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Take a moment to prepare for this afternoon's prayer. (PAUSE FOR THIRTY SECONDS)

2. Relax. Be conscious of God's loving presence in you and around you. (PAUSE FIVE SECONDS)

3. Christ has said, "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me." Ask for the grace to understand that everything comes from God and belongs to God. We are expected to share our bounty of time, talent, and resources with those less fortunate. (PAUSE FOR FIVE SECONDS)

4. Examine your attitudes toward helping others. Do I choose to contribute to the mission collections? Do I choose to participate in Christian Service as a volunteer at one of the many agencies needing assistance? Do I try to help out around the house or here at school? (PAUSE TEN SECONDS)

5. What more could I do to be Christ's hands and feet and heart? Might I help an elderly neighbor or relative? Could I make the world a better place simply by being kinder and more cooperative? Do I make myself aware of the injustice in the world? (PAUSE TEN SECONDS)

6. I thank God for blessing me. I ask His forgiveness for the times I turned my back on those in need, I was selfish with my gifts, or made life more difficult for others by my unwillingness to love. (PAUSE FIVE SECONDS)

7. Let me take to heart the words of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
"God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. I shall do good. I shall do His work."

8. St. Ignatius pray for us.