When I review the day, I can use the following as a guide to ‘gather’ with Jesus. I can choose to reflect and record a few of the following, depending on what happens during the day.
Another way to seek God’s communication is to be attentive at the following time, especially set aside to communicate, meditate or contemplate.
The following box shows an example of a few points that might be fruitful. Our relationship with the Lord is not so much goal-oriented as something that I need to accomplish. Rather, the key seems to be following the Holy Spirit’s leads and be obedient to his promptings and inspiration. However, as I don’t show up to meet an important person without a plan, I likewise should do my best to prepare my prayer time with the Lord, be it 15 minutes or an hour.
I could have a virtue that we ask the Lord for this week during prayer, and then I pay attention to the opportunities arising during the day that the Lord provides for me to practice that virtue (RECOLLECT). At the end of the day as I write down what happens (REVIEW), I become more aware of what the Lord is teaching me, and I thank him for these and worship Him. Refreshed, I am ready for another day (RENEW).
Please see the reference section at the end of this document for more resources.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola mentioned the following 5 points for EXAMEN, and please refer to his original text and adapted text, listed in the reference section. One of the versions of the five examen points are:
Ask: Being aware that I am in the presence of God, I look at the day through the eyes of God only.
Gratitude: I thank God for Himself and for all the graces of the day.
Review: I carefully review the good, bad and ugly of the day.
Forgiveness: I ask God’s forgiveness, and I forgive others and myself today.
Resolution: I desire to improve through God’s help alone on the areas that I desire a change.
Parents are encouraged to use one or more of the RESPECT questions daily, and it can apply to children of any age, as well as children near and far.
Respond: how did I respond to my children’s needs today? (spiritual/physical/emotional/academic)
Energize: how have I shown my children how much I love them today?
Study: Have I spent a few minutes to study the teachings of the Church or Scriptures to equip me to be a better parent?
Persevere: Did I persevere in my parenthood alone, or did I ask God’s help today?
Encourage: How have I helped my children today to affirm their identity as beloved children of God?
Create: How did I foster my children’s creativity today?
Time: Did I spend quality time with my children today?
Parents are encouraged to use one or more of the RESPECT questions daily, and it can apply to children of any age, as well as children near and far.
Blessings: thank God for one or more special blessings of the day
Ask: ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to recognize our sins
Kill: Remember the times of desolation today
Embrace: allow Jesus to embrace us
Resolution: how to do better
The late Father Thomas Dubay mentioned a few points as ‘Signs of Progress’ Here are the first three. Please feel free to use one or more of these points, if any of the following is relevant to your life right now, to incorporate them into your journal. Please refer to Dubay’s book for more explanations for each point 3.
Cardinal Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity (CCC 1812-1829)
Theological Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance (CCC 1805-1809)
Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Piety, Fear of the Lord, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel and Fortitue
Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Joy, peace, love, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control, Generosity, Modesty, and Chastity (see Galatians 5:22-23).
“Grace is a participation in the life of God. It introduces us into the intimacy of Trinitarian life: by Baptism the Christian participates in the grace of Christ, the Head of his Body.” There are sanctifying grace and actual grace. An example for sanctifying grace is when I receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance (confession), the sanctifying grace is given to me through absolution. One example of actual grace is the inspiration to go to confession as soon as possible, after I commit a sin.
Fasting can be done in many ways in addition or in place of food. For instance, fasting from social media for a few hours of the day or fasting from negative thoughts. Being creative is the key!
1 Father Timothy Gallagher, The Examen Prayer, p. The explanation is mine.
2 33 Days to Morning Glory by Father Michael Gaitely, p. 188-189. Marian Press. MA. 2011.
3 Seeking Spiritual Direction, pp. 269-272. Servant Publications. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 1993
4 Catechism of the Catholic Church. Second Edition, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Updated in 2016.
6 https://www.vatican.va/content/catechism/en/part_three/section_one/chapter_three/article_2/ii_grace.html
Father Timothy Gallagher, OMV has published more than a dozen books on prayers, Examen an discernment rules of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. He also has podcasts and DVDs. For the First Week’s 14 Rules by Saint Ignatius, the following books are recommended by Father Tomothy Gallagher in his book titled “Discernment of Spirits in Marriage”, pages 135 to 136, published by Sofia Institute Press in 2020.
The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to Everyday Living (New York: Crossroad, 2005)
Setting Captives Free: Personal Reflections on Ignatian Discernment of Spirits (New York: Crossroad, 2018)
A Reader’s Guide to The Discernment of Spirits: An Igantian GUide to Everyday Living (New York: Crossroad, 2013)
