The Jesuit Way

The Examen

The Jesuit Way is a way to check your spiritual progress.

St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged prayer-filled mindfulness with the daily Examen.

Reflect on the events of the day so that you are aware of God's presence in your life.
Review the day with gratitude
Walk through your day with an awareness of God’s presence and recognize its joys and delights.

Pay attention to your emotions
Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the day. What is God trying to tell you?

Choose one event from the day and pray about it

Look toward tomorrow
Ask God to give you direction for tomorrow's challenges.

End by having a conversation with Jesus
St. Ignatius encouraged people to talk to Jesus like a friend.
You can ask Jesus

for forgiveness for your sins
for His protection and help
for His wisdom about the questions you have and the problems you face

Do all this in the spirit of gratitude.

Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556) was a Spanish knight from a noble family who became a priest in 1537, and founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). In 1539, Ignatius drew up a Formula for the new order, by which Jesuits have been governed ever since.

He was dominated all his life by a desire to imitate Christ. His Spiritual Exercises are a series of reflections, examinations of conscience, and prayers, grouped according to a traditional set of four steps leading to mystical union with God.