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 prayer, keeping a journal of prayer time can be a fruitful practice as one grows deeper in a relationship with God.
Have you journaled as part of your Examen practice? Tell us about it in the comments.
I’ve journaled in the past but didn’t follow the Examen method. I find the examen method very helpful and would like to use a diary.
I have journalled my examen and would like to make it a regular habit.
I have experienced the daily examine but have never thought about journaling. My commitment to keep up a journal has been less than fruitful. I find that being alone in my walks or sitting in silence have been most enlightening. But, I would like to try journaling which is why I’m requesting the printable journal. Thank you.
Journaling has been a part of my prayer for fifty years and has taken many forms throughout these years, which has included the examen. An image that best describes my experience with journaling is a picture puzzle 🧩. God doesn’t say everything to me all at once, nor is all that I feel, experience, want to say, expressed at one time. I often look over and pray with the entries I’ve made over a week or a month, sometimes longer, and it is like seeing pieces of a puzzle start to fit together to form a message I need to hear, a Word God wants to be made flesh in my life, the answer to something I have been trying to discern. I have discovered rhythms and patterns of God’s Presence and my response in both journaling and in the examen.
I have never done a journal and at 76 I’m going to give it a go . I love the concept of Examen . Everyday you learn something new new
I just finished the 19th Annotation of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. The Trinity’s deep called to my deep in love that has a language I have as yet to learn. He will teach me.
I am retired now but when I worked I was often stuck in traffic. It was in my drive home that I would review my day with the Lord. I didn’t realize it till now, that was an Examen. All I the good, bad, and ugly I reflected to others or they to me. My emotions, confessing sin, etc.
Now that I don’t have a drive home I have struggled to do an Examen for my day.
I bought the Ignatian Examen Inspired Prayer Journal for Women and have found this to be such a blessing in doing what Ignatian thought was the most important thing of the day—the Examen. May God bless your day abiding in His presence!
My journaling has been sporadic and rarely included the examen. I am sure this resource will be of value as I commence the hybrid spiritual exercises programme this coming week. Thank you for sharing.
Journaling is one of my most comfortable forms of prayer; writing my thoughts (to God or reflecting on paper) helps me to focus and avoid distractions. I currently journal in the morning -reflecting on the day’s Mass readings (with some form of lectio divina) and then at the end of the day through the examen process. I’ve found a way to incorporate my plans for the day, accomplishments, and gratitude lists in my journal so that I’m connecting the morning entry to the end of day examen and making notes sometimes throughout the day.
I used to journal daily; but I have a habit to try clearing new way to add different things; like taking accountability, dreams and emotions through my life and daily making awareness to discernment on a minute by minute Reply
I occasionally journal and I am new to Ignation spirituality. Thank you for sharing this and I look forward to giving it a try.
Wonderful. Perfect for our group and for those entering into the exercises. Grateful to God for your generosity and grace.
Thank you for the valuable resources for prayer. May you be rewarded for your generosity.
Yours in Jesus
Frances
I journal each day in a prayer journal but have not done the Examen yet. I want to try it. Thank you.
It’s a win-win situation. Keeping a journal of prayer time does reduce distractions and moments of dissipation.
Sr. Innamma Yeruva JMJ
I do the daily Examen. But not maintaining a journal. It is a good idea. I shall try to do it.
Thank you for the good suggestion.
I have a journal in my DAY ONE app. It’s been many years. I bought this booklet and indeed it is very very useful for my spiritual journey in daily life. But maybe this year, It maybe good to use a notebook for a change this year. (?). Thank you so much.
I have been journaling my examen for almost two years. I use an online program “DAYONE” and found it most beneficial. My mind wonders too much when I just do it in my head. Journaling helps me focus and I have a record, although I confess, I do not go back and reread my entries very often. Thank you for your website
That is a good idea! I am gonna try it!
I also journal my prayer and hymn time. For me, I find the writing out — articulating — my prayer situation helps me in my daily walk with God. Having someone I love and trust look over my shoulder as I stumble along feeds my heart and soul. I know the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) are there. I want to use the Examen Prayer for twenty minutes or so in my daily walk. And I look forward to suggestions from others in attempting to do this. AMEN.
Hello Virginia, would you mind sharing where you found the program “DAYONE”? Thank you so much
Thank you for sharing. I’m going to give it a try.