Merry Christmas! Because we could not go to God, God came to us and dwelt among us. As Fr. Canice Egan, SJ, put it, ‘In the silence of the night Love Itself stole down unseen to embrace the hearts of all.’ That the Creator of the universe would deign to take on the nature of […]
As part of its Ignatian Heritage Month celebrations, Loyola University Chicago released a series of daily Examens. One invites reflection on beauty. Dr. Derrick Witherington introduces an encounter with beauty experienced by 20th-century theologian Paul Tillich and proceeds “to invite us to consider what moments of beauty we’ve encountered today, and how those experiences help […]
Introduce friends to the Examen or try a new approach to the prayer with a daily Examen journal—printable and foldable as a booklet. The prayer steps in the journal are as described by Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ, in Reimagining the Ignatian Examen. In addition to following the steps day by day as one learns the […]
I am a list-maker. My phone holds lists that vary from items to get at different stores to gifts or recipes for the holidays to project tasks. These are cross-referenced by color coding, deadlines, or people involved. All this list-making gives me a sense of freedom that at least I won’t forget something important. My […]
Last year my husband and I visited a pottery shop in Greece. Countless delicate creations filled the expansive shop. I marveled at the intricate designs. The owners walked us through every step of the process, from clay lumps to kiln. A skilled potter worked the wheel as others painted and etched. I revisited the memory […]
Two Loyola Press authors will lead weekend retreats at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House near Chicago in the early months of 2025. Consider these opportunities to enter the silence and learn from experienced and inspiring speakers. Becky Eldredge, author of Busy Lives & Restless Souls and The Inner Chapel, will lead a women’s retreat on the […]
In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius encourages us to pray on the mysteries of the life of Christ. One such meditation encourages us to envision the Nativity scene in detail. We might imagine the scene of birth itself, for example, Jesus being swaddled in his blankets, or what the manger looks like. But before we […]
“Who will be my life raft?” These words came from a dear friend, spiritual director, and ministry colleague, who authentically lives her call to discipleship. Her words poured out of her lips as she generously held space for so many who were struggling to hold onto hope in hard times. Through her listening ear, her […]
There was a time when I saw an acupuncturist nearly every week. I remember one appointment in particular. My acupuncturist was carefully filling my belly with tiny needles. “Can you feel this?” she asked. I paused. “No,” I said slowly. “Should I?” “Hmm…” She moved the needle ever-so-slightly. “How about now?” “Still no.” Another adjustment. […]
At the start of this school year, I wrote about the desire to practice something new that I called “Advance Gratitude,” or pausing in gratitude for the graces and the blessings that will be. Sometimes when I write about my desires to do something new in prayer, I do not always succeed with my intentions. […]
I saw a reel on Instagram showing pictures of Jesus present in our everyday lives. There was Jesus, sitting at one of those low Kindergarten tables, in a much-too-small-for-him chair, coloring with a small child. He looked as if he were having fun. Then Jesus was sitting at the end of a bunk bed while […]
1. Clean the house, but only to the extent necessary. I don’t mean scrubbing from top to bottom, like a winter form of spring cleaning, although, if you can do that, go for it. But clutter can get in the way of enjoying days that are meant for celebration. You may not have time to […]
“Where are you from?” It’s a question I’ve been asked too many times to count. And there’s nothing like this question to get all the heads in a room to turn! It can be asked for many reasons, such as to find likeness and similarities, as in, Are you one of my group? Maybe we’re […]
In honor of the 15th anniversary of IgnatianSpirituality.com, we’re celebrating with 15 Gifts to Celebrate 15 Years! Read the details here. Gift 15 is a fun game inviting you to identify Ignatian terms. Challenge your friends to see who can finish the game fastest. Then learn more about the depth of Ignatian spirituality by browsing […]
We say, “Thank you,” without much thought when someone sends a birthday card, offers a ride, or recommends a professional contact. It’s the socially prescribed thing to do, and we don’t necessarily think any more about it. We take both the kindness and the response for granted. It’s all too easy to take God’s gifts […]
Advent begins December 1, 2024. Here are a few resources to keep in mind as you prepare to observe the season. Cherished by Jesus: A Webinar with Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND Discover how Jesus teaches, comforts, strengthens, and assures us of his love. The live webinar will be on December 3, 2024. Sacred Advent Embrace […]
Recently Pope Francis released a papal encyclical called Dilexit Nos (He Loved Us). In this letter, Francis speaks movingly about the need for a return to the heart. The heart, he says, “shapes my spiritual identity and puts me in communion with other people.” (14) He adds, “In this age of artificial intelligence, we cannot […]
In the busyness and demands of our daily lives, we often take for granted every breath we take and the briefest interactions we have. The practice of gratitude, however, invites us to be reflectively aware of the sacredness of even the smallest and seemingly insignificant moments. The practice of gratitude invites us to pause and […]
One morning several years ago, I came downstairs to discover a disconcertingly large puddle in the middle of our kitchen. The errant water sat still and far apart from any of the usual suspects: the dishwasher, the fridge, and the sink. No appliance or forgotten faucet seemed to be at fault, and so I quit […]
When the word gratitude is mentioned, I am instantly transported back to watching sitcoms during the ’70s and ’80s, when a hysterical character is slapped across the face. The unexpected action, carried out by a trusted friend or colleague, appears to break the hysteria and bring the startled person into a calmer frame of mind. […]
