By Father Francis Therese Krautter Pastor of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Denver
Ignatian spirituality, named after St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), is a rich treasure of the Catholic Church that offers profound insights and practical methods for deepening one’s relationship with God in the context of everyday life. Its essence is captured in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, a compilation of meditations, prayers and contemplative practices developed to help people discern God’s presence in their lives. For those navigating the complexities of modern life, Ignatian spirituality provides a pathway to discovering God’s will and finding God in all things. Here, we explore three ways to incorporate Ignatian spirituality into daily life, aiming to foster a deeper spiritual awareness and a more intimate communion with God.
The Practice of the Examen
The Examen is a cornerstone of Ignatian spirituality, a daily prayerful reflection on the events of the day to discern God’s presence and direction. It encourages gratitude, recognizes God’s grace in the minutiae of life, and helps identify areas of growth. The Examen consists of five simple steps:
Gratitude: Begin by thanking God for the blessings of the day, acknowledging his gifts with a heart full of gratitude.
Petition: Ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your heart and mind, allowing you to see your day through God’s eyes.
Review: Reflect on the day, from the moment you woke up to the present, noticing where you felt God’s presence or were drawn away from him.
Forgiveness: Acknowledge your faults and ask for God’s forgiveness. This step is not about dwelling on guilt but about recognizing our need for God’s mercy and grace.
Renewal: Look forward to the next day with hope. Make a simple resolution in response to God’s inviting love and grace experienced during your reflection.
Incorporating the Examen into daily life doesn’t require a significant amount of time; it can be as brief as 15 minutes. What’s important is the regular, intentional practice of reflecting on one’s life in the presence of God, fostering a deeper awareness of his workings in your daily activities.
Finding God in All Things
St. Ignatius believed that God could be found in every aspect of our lives, not just in church or during prayer times, but also in our relationships, work and leisure activities. This principle invites us to cultivate a sacramental view of the world, where everything can reveal God’s presence and love.
To practice finding God in all things, start by being more present and attentive to your surroundings and interactions. Approach each moment and person with the belief that God is present there. This might mean seeing the dignity of God’s creation in the beauty of nature or recognizing his image in the people you meet. It might involve finding lessons and invitations to grow closer to God in the challenges and successes of your work.
This approach to life transforms mundane activities into opportunities for encountering God, making the whole world a place of prayer and communion with him. It challenges us to break down the artificial barriers between the sacred and the secular, challenging us to set our relationship with God at the core of everything we do.
Discernment of Spirits
Ignatian discernment involves paying attention to the movements of the spirits in one’s heart, distinguishing between what leads us closer to God (consolation) and what pulls us away from him (desolation). St. Ignatius provided “rules” or guidelines for discerning spirits, helping individuals make choices aligned with God’s will.
To incorporate discernment into daily life, St. Ignatius calls our attention to the three essential moments of discernment: becoming aware, understanding, and taking action. Leading a discerning life is first about paying more attention to our inward experiences. The inclination towards or away from God, prayer, and service can then be understood. Rejecting the inclination “of the enemy,” and accepting the inclination “of the good spirit,” is the subject of the 14 rules of Spiritual Discernment.
Practicing discernment requires prayer, patience, and occasionally the guidance of a spiritual director. It’s about learning to listen deeply to the voice of God in our hearts and making decisions that reflect our deepest desires for love, truth, and goodness.
Incorporating Ignatian spirituality into daily life is a journey toward a deeper relationship with God, grounded in the realities of our everyday experiences. Through practices like the Examen, finding God in all things, and discernment of spirits, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God’s grace, learning to see and respond to his presence in every moment of our lives. This spiritual path is a way of greater freedom, purpose and joy, guided by the loving hand of God who desires nothing more than our ultimate happiness and union with him.
You’re invited!
St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish welcomes you to join us in ongoing formation in Ignatian spirituality. Currently I, Father Francis Therese Krautter, am leading a 10-week series, meeting Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall on the Rules of Discernment of Spirits. These talks aim to equip Christians with the tools to discern how to respond to the ups and downs of the spiritual life. Whether you’re familiar with Ignatian spirituality or new to its practices, this series is a good refresher and helpful introduction to the concrete application of the Rules. Together, we will explore how to recognize movements of both the good spirit and the “enemy” in our lives, understanding how to accept the good and reject the bad. Join us for a transformative experience of formation, spiritual growth, and community.