The Ignatian Examen

The Ignatian Examen

St. Ignatius invites us to find God in all things. This happens when we pay careful attention to how the Spirit is moving in each moment of our daily lives. By focusing on the seemingly ordinary, we seek to encounter the Divine. This is why the Examen is such a powerful and reflective exercise. In it, we’re invited to encounter the divine, the source that guides us, and express gratitude for the gifts of each day. We conclude the exercise by committing to reconcile our mistakes and embrace a new day ahead.

The Examen is flexible, responding to the signs of the times. Here is an example of one way to pray the Examen.

1. Thanksgiving: Place yourself in the presence of the Divine. Reflect on what you are especially grateful for today.
2. Petition: Pray for the grace to understand how God is acting in your life.
3. Review: Recall specific moments and your feelings at the time. Where have I felt joy? Disappointment? What challenged me?
4. Response: Reflect on what you did, said, or thought in those moments. Were you drawing closer to God, or further away?
5. Look Forward: With what spirit do I want to enter tomorrow?

Text adapted from Jesuits.org and Xavier.edu – Jesuit Resources