We invite you to move into a new year with gratitude and awareness of God’s movements in the last. This “Most Important Moment Examen” is taken from the book Reimagining the Ignatian Examen by Fr. Mark Thibodeaux, SJ.
Step 1
I bow before my prayer spot and ask God to make his presence known to me at this moment. I sense God’s presence all around and even within me. I linger in this sense of God’s presence.
Step 2
I spend a few moments in gratitude, thanking God for one or two of the blessings, big and small, that I received last year.
Step 3
I ask God to show me the most important moment of last year – the moment that had the biggest impact on me or on others, whether that impact be physical, spiritual or emotional.
Why was it so important? How was I feeling, deep down? Were there any negative thoughts or emotions that I did not admit to having (for example, fear of rejection)? Was I spiritually free or unfree in that most important moment? What were the consequences of that moment? As appropriate, I give thanks, I ask for forgiveness, I ask for healing.
Step 4
If I wish and have the time to do so, I can return to my review of last year, asking God to show me another important moment of the year. I talk with God, using the same questions as in step 3. Again, I give thanks, ask for forgiveness and ask for healing.
Step 5
Now, I look to this year. Specifically, what do I think will be my most important moment this year? What are my great desires for that moment?
I allow my great desires to well up within me. I place these desires in God’s hands and ask God to make them holy. I ask God to show me what grace or virtue I need to be the person I want to be at that moment. I ask for that grace or virtue.
Step 6
What other important moments may I experience this year? I talk with God, using the reflection questions from the previous step.
Step 7
If I feel called to do so, I make a concrete resolution to be the kind of person I feel called to be.
Step 8
I bow before my prayer spot before leaving.
Download a printable version of this Examen here.
Fr. Mark Thibodeaux, SJ, is pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in New Orleans. He is the author of several books, including Reimagining the Ignatian Examen and Ignatian Discernment of Spirits for Spiritual Direction and Pastoral Care.
