Examen Prayer

Contents

Foreword by George Aschenbrenner, S.J.9

Acknowledgments15

Introduction19

Spiritual questions / 19 A practical book / 21

Experiencing the examen / 22

An Outline of the Examen25

Part One DESIRE

1.Discovering the Examen29

A journey of thirty years / 29

The deepest desire of the human heart / 35 Learning about the examen / 38

2.A Day with Ignatius42

A gradual growth / 42 The day begins / 43 The Mass / 45

A time of spiritual desolation / 46 The problem./ 47

The answer./ 48

Assaults.and a ï¬rm response / 49

"Is it really possible to live this way?" / 51

Part Two PRACTICE

3.First Step: Gratitude57

"The highest grace and everlasting love of Christ our Lord" / 57

An experience of gratitude: A day with Jean / 60 Conï¬rmed in God's love: A day with Tom / 63 The practice of step one: Gratitude / 65

6Contents

4.Second Step: Petition68

"It is all about something that God does" / 68 Asking for light and strength: A day with Ellen / 69 Praying for assistance: A day with Bob / 70

Seeking the wisdom of the Spirit: A day with Rita / 72 The practice of step two: Petition / 72

5.Third Step: Review75

What Ignatius reviews / 75 What we review / 78

A walk with the Lord: A day with Don / 79

An experience of discernment: A day with Susan / 82 The practice of step three: Review / 85

6.Fourth Step: Forgiveness87

Forgiveness and relationship / 87 Our image of God / 88

"Love bade me welcome" / 89

The practice of step four: Forgiveness / 91

7.Fifth Step: Renewal95

Looking to the future / 95

Spiritual growth: A day with Joan / 97 Choosing commitments: A day with Kevin / 98 In the midst of turmoil: A day with Elaine / 99 The practice of step ï¬ve: Renewal / 101

8.Flexibility103

The examen and the individual / 103 In the freedom of the Spirit / 105 Creative ï¬delity / 107

Part Three CONDITIONS

9.The General Setting of the Examen113

The importance of the setting / 113 Spiritual accompaniment / 114 Examen and our life of prayer / 117

Developing the contemplative capacity / 118

Contents7

10.The Speciï¬c Setting of the Examen122

Beginning and concluding the examen / 122 "Where can I pray the examen?" / 126

"Do I have time for the examen?" / 128 Journaling and the examen / 132 Periodic renewal in the examen / 135

Part Four COURAGE

11.Examen and the Courage to Love139

"I am sent to count your footprints" / 139 Beginnings / 141

The wounds of the heart / 143

12.Examen and Surrendering to Love148

Spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation / 148 Letting go / 152

"Love needs no cause outside itself" / 155

Part Five FRUIT

13.Examen and the Community159

The fruit of Ignatius's examen / 159 The fruit of our examen / 160

Discerning awareness throughout the day / 163 Examen and life together / 165

14.The Examen and Choices169

"I come to do your will" / 169 Progressive clariï¬cation / 172 Finding God in all things / 173

Notes177

For Further Reading190