Years ago on retreat, the director asked me what Jesus looked like to me. I thought about it a moment and then described the stereotypical Jesus—long hair, scruffy, sandals, robe. As I gave the description, the director seemed to...

In his Christmas message to the Curia, Pope Francis worried about those who suffer from “la malattia della faccia funerea”—the malady of the funeral face. Symptoms include brusqueness, arrogance, and a “sterile pessimism.” His suggested remedy? A dose of...

Philip Shano, SJ, reflects on the similarities between a personal trainer and a spiritual director. We are sometimes half asleep, almost in a slumber—whether with our physical or spiritual exercise. I find that Christian helps wake me up, at least...

The readings for the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord concern receptivity to God’s gifts. Isaiah’s words invite the thirsty to “come to the water” and promise those who listen that they “shall delight in rich fare.” (Isaiah...

Most of us don’t think about the word please much in our daily interactions with colleagues, family, or friends. But Randy Roche, SJ, took some time to reflect on the effect that please can have in our relationships with each...

Sometimes it takes a bolt of lightning to release our creativity and kick-start the emergence of a new way of thinking or doing or being. Scientists say that it may have been like that when life first began to...

St. Beuno's Jesuit Spirituality Centre offers a video that walks one through the Examen. Though the Examen can be prayed in the morning or the evening, this version is geared for bedtime prayer. If you’re receiving this via e-mail, click...

Happy New Year! Before we jump into the new year of dotMagis posts, let’s take some time today to look back at the year ended. Enjoy some of the most popular posts from 2014. Examen Prayer Card Pope Francis’s Message of...

As we close the year 2014, we are still celebrating the Christmas season. Earlier this month, Pope Francis in a parish visit shared three steps to ensure joy at Christmastime. The Pontiff went on to explain three ways to have...

Fairfield University launched its new Center for Ignatian Spirituality in late November. The center will offer retreats, including the full Spiritual Exercises, and it will train spiritual directors. During the program, University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, SJ, remarked: Ignatius’ experience...