Examen
SUSCIPE
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
-- St. Ignatius of Loyola
History
The Examen was written by St. Ignatius of Loyola, who was the founder of the Jesuits and author of the Spiritual Exercises. St. Ignatius has made great contributions to the Church’s understanding of spirituality, namely the discernment of spirits, silent retreats, and finding God in all things.
As a young boy, Inigo de Loyola was won over by the material world and worldly pursuits. He became a soldier but was wounded in battle and left bedridden for a year by a cannonball that caused severe damage to his leg. While in recovery, he asked if there were any books about chivalry that he could read. He was disappointed to learn that the only books he could read were about the life of Christ and biographies of the saints. To Ignatius’ surprise, he developed a great love of these stories and noticed a change within himself, a desire welling up to follow Christ and pursue holiness instead of vanity and fame. When he was healed, he left his sword and fine clothing behind and took on the appearance of a poor pilgrim.
In a solitary cave he began the work which would later become the Spiritual Exercises. At God’s invitation, he prayerfully examined how his emotions interacted with his spiritual life (gratitude, anguish, consolation, desolation). The Spiritual Exercises were intended for spiritual directors to use with directees and they have continued to be used by spiritual directors to this day. Ignatius then went on to study to become a priest and founded the Jesuit order with friends St. Francis Xavier and St. Peter Faber.
“The Life of the St. Ignatius of Loyola.” The Jesuits. Click here for more information.
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How to Pray the Examen
Time needed: 10-15 minutes. Below are five steps to notice where God is present throughout your day:
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Place yourself in God’s presence. Give thanks for God’s great love for you.
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The day I have just lived is a gift from God. Be grateful for it.
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Pray for the grace to understand how God is acting in your life.
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I want to look at my day with God’s eyes, not merely my own.
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Review your day — recall specific moments and your feelings at the time.
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I carefully look back on the day just completed, being guided by the Holy Spirit.
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Reflect on what you did, said, or thought in those instances. Were you drawing closer to God, or further away?
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I face up to what is wrong – in my life and in me.
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Look toward tomorrow — think of how you might collaborate more effectively with God’s plan. Be specific and conclude with the “Our Father.”
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I ask where I need God in the day to come.
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As seen on the Examen Prayer Card from IgnatianSpirituality.com. Click here for information.
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As seen on the "Ignatian Examen" from The Jesuits. Click here for information.
Tips
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While you can certainly pray the examen at any point during the day, the examen tends to be most fruitful when prayed at the end of that day, allowing you to reflect on the day’s events with God.
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Take your time as you are examining the day. Our world is so busy, and we tend to want to rush through prayer. Instead of rattling off the events of the day in a race to the finish line, spend time in each memory. Ask God to reveal to you what he saw in your interactions, decisions, and the events of your day, and then pause to let Him speak into the silence.
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You might find that a particular conversation or instance from your day is resonating with you or calling for more of your attention. It is okay to sit with this instance for a while, perhaps even the bulk of your prayer time. Let the Holy Spirit guide this time of reflection and do not be afraid of where He takes you!
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Recognize that God is ALWAYS with us, at every moment of every day. This prayer is meant to help us to see this essential facet of Jesuit spirituality, and that is that God is with us “in all things.” As you become more comfortable with this prayer, I encourage you to begin to invite God into the events of your day as they are happening in real time, not just trying to see where He was in the aftermath. Prayer does not need to be hours spent in silent adoration or a recitation of the rosary, prayer can also look like turning to God and calling out to Him throughout your day.
Need Help? Unsure Where to Start?
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The Jesuits have a variety of examens for different needs. If you are seeking something beyond the typical examen, check them out by clicking here.
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Check out the free Prayer Enrichment Guidebook from the McGrath Institute for Church. In it, there are seven traditional types of Catholic prayer, including the Examen. Click here to get a free copy.
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Not sure if you can do it on your own? Follow along with a daily examen from Hallow. Click here to watch. Check out the app for different variations of this reflective prayer.
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For some print resources on the Examen, check out:
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To read to your children about the Examen, check out: