At the end of a very busy day at school set aside some time in a place of quiet to reflect on your day.<\/p>\n
The Examen[1]<\/sup> is a prayer of review – a short reflection back over the day, recalling events and taking note of your feelings.<\/p>\n The purpose is to become more aware of the ways in which God has been present to you, the times when the Holy Spirit was drawing you towards life.<\/p>\n Although coming from an older monastic tradition, St Ignatius recommended it to his earliest followers. \u00a0It\u00a0was the key prayer for Ignatius.\u00a0 When early Jesuits found themselves too busy to fit in all their usual prayers, Ignatius gave them permission to pray less, but told them to keep up the examen.<\/p>\n [1] Examen is Spanish for examination, an examination of your day and how God was at work.<\/em><\/p>\n Spend a moment becoming still.<\/em><\/p>\n Imagine yourself in a place where you feel at peace.\u00a0 It might be your own room at home.\u00a0 There are two chairs there and you sit on one of these.<\/p>\n There is a knock on the door and you open it.\u00a0 It is Jesus.\u00a0 You invite him to sit down.\u00a0 What is it like to have him there?\u00a0 He has brought a book with him and you realise that it is a photograph album of the day.\u00a0 He has taken pictures of you throughout the day.<\/p>\n You and Jesus look through the photos talking about them.\u00a0 If one in particular catches your eye, for which you are grateful, spend some time with it and talk to Jesus about it . . .<\/p>\n Is there a particular picture Jesus wants you to look at?\u00a0 What do you feel about his choice?\u00a0 What do you say to him about it?<\/p>\n (Is there a picture there which you wish wasn\u2019t there?\u00a0 Talk to him about that too.)<\/p>\n When you are ready the album is closed.\u00a0 What do you ask of Jesus before he departs, to help you for tomorrow?\u00a0 How do you take leave of each other?<\/p>\n How do you feel now?<\/p>\n End the review with a simple prayer.<\/p>\n For further information log on to<\/p>\n