The EXAMEN OF CONSCIENCE is a spiritual practice taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) order though its roots are much older than the 16th century. Its name makes it sound like it’s something really hard, but it isn’t. Here’s how it’s done:
1. Find a quiet place where you can be undisturbed for at least half an hour.
Recall that you are in the presence of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to let you look on all you see with love.
"Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous or boastful, it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; ... it does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right.... Love hopes all things."
(1 Cor 13)
2. Then, say a prayer of thanks to God for the gifts of this day.
Be concrete—did you enjoy the first scent of coffee brewing this morning? Did your heart lift at the sight of a cardinal on a branch? Did someone do or say something kind for you today? Take a look at what you gave today, and what you received.
3. Ask for awareness of the Holy Spirit's help and care for you.
An honest examination of your life can sometimes be a hard thing to do. But when it is undertaken with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, much of the fear and anxiety goes away. With practice, you can learn to look at even the most painful parts of your life with a certain detachment. With prayer and patience you can let God shape your soul into what it is meant to be. Don’t forget to examine and acknowledge, -and give thanks for- the good things about you too. The purpose of the examen is to develop humility, which is a way of living without illusion. Thinking or acting like you’re worse than you are is just as problematic as having an inflated opinion of yourself.
4. Now examine how you are living this day.
Look carefully at the events of your day, and look at the context of your actions. Review your day, hour by hour, searching for the internal events of your life. What was your response to situations in which you found yourself? Did you hesitate to help someone? Did you listen, or did you ignore? Did you scold or speak kindly or keep silent? Did you feel you had a choice in how you acted, or were you just carried along by events? How did you feel at those times? Why did you respond in a certain way at a certain time? Were there opportunities to grow in faith? In charity? In hope? Why did you do what you did?
5. Finish with a prayer of reconciliation and resolve.
"The Word of God is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance. See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and disaster.... Choose life," speaks the prophet. (Deut. 30) Now, having reviewed this day of your life, look upon yourself with compassion and see your need for God and try to realize the ways God shows concern for you. Express sorrow for sin, which is separation from God, and expecially ask forgiveness for the times you turned away from God today. Give thanks for grace, the enlightening presence of God, and especially praise God for the times you responded in ways that allowed you to better see God in your life.
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