Blessed Lent from the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate!
Congratulations, you’ve reached the Second Sunday of Lent! This is the premier time of the year for putting out into the deep to spend some more quality time with Our Lord. As you walk with Him in a discerning frame of mind, you may find it helpful to look back on the two foundational prayer practices we’ve shared so far in this Vocation Newsletter – recollection (habitually turning to God) and lectio divina (praying with scripture). This month we’ll wrap up this section of our series with a look at the Examen Prayer.
The Examen
The Examen is a way to look over your day in the company of Our Lord, to see His presence in your life and what your response is to His promptings. This is an Ignatian Prayer, meaning it is part of the spiritual legacy of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Many forms/styles of this prayer have developed over the years (see some references at the end). The form presented here is a simple version, influenced by many of the versions I’ve used over the years.
Most people pray the Examen at the end of the day, but it can be done at any time that you are regularly free to prayerfully look back over the last 24 hours. Find a place where you’re comfortable, but not likely to doze off:). A small notebook, journal, or post-it note might help for future reference.
Steps of the Examen
- Become aware that you are in God’s presence. Take a deep breathe (or a few). Make the Sign of the Cross slowly.
“Lord, please walk with me through today.” {Write the date and a memorable happening.}
- What am I grateful for today? Walk through your day and note (mentally or on paper) two or three happenings/conversations/moments, that were blessings for you today.
“Thank-You, Lord, for…”
- Where did I feel You moving in my heart today, Lord? Review your day and take note of particular situations/conversations/etc. that stirred your heart. {Note them.}
- How did I respond to Your movements in my heart today, Lord?Note where you accepted God’s movements and followed His promptings, and where you rejected the movement or put it off. {Note them.}
“Lord, thank You for the grace to respond in this situation…”
“Lord, I’m sorry I didn’t…”
- How are You calling me to live better tomorrow, Lord? What is a specific response I can make in the next 24 hours? Is there a situation/conversation/etc. that you know will take place tomorrow that will need God’s grace? Forecast how you can respond to grace, preparing your heart to hear God more clearly. {Write it down.}
“Tomorrow, Lord, please help me…”
Real-Life Examen
I once heard a Sister ask a roomful of people (50+), “How many of you have been introduced to the Examen Prayer and started praying it?” Almost every hand was raised. Then she asked, “How many of you, since starting the Examen Prayer, have prayed it every single day, never falling away from it?” No hands were raised!
The Examen is simple in concept and powerful in how it helps us see God working in our inner life. That’s why the Evil One doesn’t like it and raises all kinds of distractions and excuses, i.e. I’m too tired…I forgot…This is isn’t helping…etc.
The Examen is an important help in discernment, as the heart of discernment is hearing God’s call. The Examen shows us how God works in our lives, as His voice is heard by each of us in a way that is unique. If you want to hear God’s voice, please commit to this prayer, and when you “fall off the wagon” get back up and commit again. God IS talking to you, and He wants you to hear His voice!
Discernment Retreats
Over President’s Day weekend we hosted a retreat on Growing in Holiness during Discernment at our Motherhouse in Monroe, NY. Touching on holiness in healing, in prayer, and in mission, we explored the Universal Call to Holiness and how discernment is the perfect time for growth in holiness.
In April, we’ll be hosting a Discernment Retreat at Our Lady of Providence PVMI Convent in Warren, OH. We would be glad to have you join us as we explore the basics of discernment.
Registration: https://forms.gle/TFEt86iBz6bTTDXy6 (Limited Space)
We are also open to Come-and-See visits on a flexible basis, working with your schedule. Please reach out if you have questions or would like to have a conversation about your discernment journey. Just respond to this email or click here to fill out our Vocation Inquiry Form.
Also, could you help us spread the word? Do you know any young Catholic women who would be interested in this retreats or the Vocation Newsletter? Pass the word and please pray for many young women to answer God’s call to grow closer to Him through discernment. You are in my prayers as well!
In the hope of Christ,
Sr. Theresa Marie, pvmi
Vocation Director
Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate
845-542-1086
“Do what God tells you and leave the results to Him.” ~Servant of God, Mother Mary Teresa Tallon, PVMI
http://www.parishvisitorsisters.org
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Some Examen Resources:
https://www.en.apostlesofil.com/the-examen-prayer/
https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/jesuit-a-z/terms-e/daily-examen
https://campusministry.nd.edu/pray/ways-to-pray/examen/
A full length book: The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV can be found here: https://www.discernment.institute/product-page/the-examen-prayer-ignatian-wisdom-for-our-lives-today
