The Ignatian Examen
St. Ignatius invites us to find God in all things. That means we have to pay careful attention to how the Spirit is moving in each moment of our daily lives. We have to take a magnifying glass to the seemingly ordinary, seeking to encounter the Divine.
That’s why the Examen is such a powerful prayer. In it, we’re invited to encounter God, express gratitude for the gift and gifts of each day, and to commit to make up for any mistakes we may have made.
The Examen is a flexible prayer, too, responding to the signs of the times. Below, you’ll find several variations to meet your need in this moment.
How to Pray the Examen
1. Place yourself in God’s presence. Give thanks for God’s great love for you.
2. Pray for the grace to understand how God is acting in your life.
3. Review your day — recall specific moments and your feelings at the time.
4. Reflect on what you did, said, or thought in those instances. Were you drawing closer to God, or further away?
5. Look toward tomorrow — think of how you might collaborate more effectively with God’s plan. Be specific, and conclude with the “Our Father.”
Different Needs, Different Examens
An Everyday Examen
No matter what kind of day you're having, you'll find God in it with this Examen.
An Examen for Racism
Examine how your actions and privileges harm our Black brothers & sisters.
An Examen for White Allies
Discern how you can recognize your privilege and advocate for racial justice.
An Ecological Examen
Discern opportunities in your day to embrace ecological justice.
A Daily Examen Podcast
Listen in as Fr. James Martin, SJ, guides you through the daily Examen.
After COVID Examen
As we emerge from COVID-19, take time to reflect on both sorrow and hope.
Storytelling Examen
Consider how to make sense of your life story using the Examen.
An Examen for Civic Life
Reflect on the interrelationship between Gospel values and political engagement.
An Examen for Refugees
Recommitment to accompanying, serving and advocating for refugees.
Global Citizenship Examen
Educate Magis offers an Examen for global citizenship, based on the Ignatian definition. (Scroll to middle of page)
Social Media Examen
Reflect on how you relate to and through social media.
An Examen During Covid-19
Take time to reflect during a period of uncertainty and rapid change.
An Anti-Racism Examen
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities offers an anti-racism examen.
Cannonball Examen
We find ourselves in an environmental “cannonball moment,” called to live in new ways in response to “the cry of the Earth.”
Additional Examen Resources
Examen Live! An Initiative of the Office of Ignatian Spirituality
Find more episodes of Examen Live! from the Office of Ignatian Spirituality.