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Examin

What is the Ignatian Examen?

Each Wednesday afternoon, the entire campus at Georgetown Prep pauses to pray an Ignatian Examen. The practice of the Examen attunes our consciousness to the spontaneous action of the Spirit in everyday life, helping us to discern and find God in all things. We invite you to pray the Examen with the whole Prep community.

The prayer unfolds in five steps

  1. GRATITUDE
    Begin by placing yourself in a disposition of gratitude to God for all creation.
  2. PETITION
    Ask for the grace you most want to receive from this time of prayer.
  3. REVIEW
    Look back, notice, and discern moments of light and moments of darkness in your day or week.
  4. FORGIVENESS
    Receive God’s mercy knowing that in doing so you become more merciful.
  5. RENEWAL
    Commit to loving action that will bring you and your community closer to God.

  We begin in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN
I close my eyes and quiet my body. I become aware of the love with which God accompanies me on my life’s journey.

I begin in Gratitude.
I note the gifts that God has given me this day and week, and I give thanks to God for them.

I present my Petition.
I ask God for the gift of hope, that this grace may guide my examen, allowing God to draw near and walk with me in this time of prayer.

I Review my week.
With God, I review the day. I look for the stirrings in my heart and the thoughts that have flowed through me this day and week. I notice those that were of God, bringing me consolation in faith, hope, and love, and those that were not, inciting desolation.  I review my choices in response to both, and throughout the week in general.

I ask for Forgiveness.
I ask for the healing touch of the forgiving God who, with love and respect for me, removes my heart’s burdens.

I pray for Renewal. 
I look to the following day and week and, with God, plan concretely how to live it in hope and in accord with God’s loving desire for my life.

As we end our prayer, we ask that its graces permeate the rest of our day and week.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us.
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
AMEN

Chapel
The Examen is a flexible prayer responding to the signs of the times. Visit Jesuits.org to find variations the meet your needs in this moment.
 

Jesuits.org