Timothy M. - The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today

The Examen Prayer

The Crossroad Publishing Company

www.crossroadpublishing.com

2006 by Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V.

Foreword 2006 by Aschenbrenner, S.J.

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ISBN: 9780824523671

E-ISBN: 978-0-8245-4972-5

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This book of Fr. Timothy Gallagher goes far beyond theory in a compelling use of personal practice and actual experience. His treatment bridges the frequent divide between the truth in theory and daily practice in a human life. His personal, experiential treatment of the examen resolves this frequent incongruity and introduces a more mature phase of renewed understanding of the traditional practice of examen.

Fr. Gallaghers book propels the understanding of the examen a giant step forward. I congratulate him and his hard work which will bless every serious reader.

George Aschenbrenner, S.J.

The Examen Prayer moves methodically through the steps of the examen, providing countless helpful illustrations. This book provides the same excellent pragmatic value that characterized Fr. Gallaghers The Discernment of Spirits.

E. Edward Kinerk, S.J., Spiritus

This is a practical guide to implementing the daily practice of examen. Individualization and flexibility are emphasized throughout this rich resource. Highly recommended as an accessible and practical explanation of the examen prayer, and also for individuals seeking an introduction to or a renewed practice of the examen prayer.

Jean R. Bostley, S.S.J., Catholic Library World

Prayer life dull? Lacking in something? Maybe what you need is The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today. You dont need to have done the examen before or even be familiar with the spirituality of St. Ignatius to find this book useful. Our hearts yearn to grow in our relationship with the God who loves us. If you are looking for a deeper, more profound relationship, The Examen Prayer will give you the tools to deepen and enrich your prayer life, discerning his many acts of love throughout the day.

Elizabeth Yank, National Catholic Register

The original text for this spiritual practice occurs in Ignatiuss Spiritual Exercises. Fr. Gallaghers approach is to provide a careful explanation of it that is integrated with the experiences of a wide variety of people who try to practice it in their daily lives. His profound understanding of the Ignatian principles themselves, combined with his thoughtful observations about the problems that individuals tend to encounter in their use, make for a wonderfully insightful and practical book that will make good reading for priests, retreat directors, those offering spiritual direction, and for anyone who is eager for a greater awareness of Gods action within ones daily spiritual life.

Joseph Koterski, S.J., Homiletic and Pastoral Review

A key tool in the process of ongoing discernment is the practice of the examen prayer which Fr. Gallagher discusses in The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today. In five simple steps Ignatius helps individuals to be aware of the presence of Gods love at work in their lives and to grow in their loving response to it. It is the examples of individuals endeavoring to live out the reality of the examen prayer in their own lives that add clarity to both the text and the practice. It becomes clear in Fr. Gallaghers book that a persevering practice of spiritual discernment helps us to gather the fragments of life into a pattern of greater freedom and hopeful living.

Gill Goulding, C.J., The Way

Contents

That the unexamined life is not worth living stirs a variety of responses. Some people outright deny the truth of the statement because they see it as the death knell for any spontaneous lifestyle. Others would salute the statements truth in theory, but concrete practice of the examen as inscribing that theory in the details of daily living does not take effect. This book of Fr. Tim Gallagher, however, goes far beyond theory in a compelling use of personal practice and actual experience. His treatment bridges the frequent divide between the truth in theory and daily practice in a human life. His personal, experiential treatment of the examen resolves this frequent incongruity and introduces a more mature phase of renewed understanding of the traditional practice of examen.

The use of personal testimonies to exemplify various aspects of the examen adds a persuasive experiential tone. The quotations here are neither artificial nor contrived. This is especially true in the explication of the dynamic development and interrelationship of the five steps of the formal examen prayer. Even more convincing than an extra exhortation on the part of the author, these third-party reports have an influence all their own.

In 1972 my article on consciousness examen was the fruit of an insight that had connected for me: the heart of examen is daily practice of discernment of spirits. Lifting it out of an overly negative and moralistic misunderstanding, I described a practice that was meant to be much more positive and personal. Examen was, first, a review of Gods sustaining and endearing love touching our hearts in the immediacy of every day. It was also a look into the unique and intimately personal flow of our consciousnessnot exclusive of, but beyond a mere noticing of external behavior.

The integration of examen and discernment of spirits was central to Ignatiuss understanding. For this reason, examen was the essential daily prayer for Ignatius, never excusable for any reason. Fr. Gallagher has recently published a book on Ignatian discernment. That book serves as an important backdrop for his treatment of the examen. In this present book he singles out one special day of Ignatiuss spiritual experience as recorded in his Spiritual Diary. March 12, 1544, was a key day, a rich, very lively day, in Ignatiuss discernment about the type of poverty God was determining for the new Company of Jesus. Throughout this book Fr. Gallagher makes ingenious use of the account of this one day. It provides live, unrehearsed experience to exemplify various aspects of the examen and, for this reader, it endears again that Jesuit founder, that brother, in his reverential concern to treasure all of Gods loving communications.