Taking head knowledge and turning it into heart faith. A Catholic podcast about prayer, Scripture, Catholic teaching, Ignatian Spirituality, creativity, and personal reflection.
As the year comes to a close, this episode offers a guided Ignatian Examen—a prayerful review of the past year in the presence of God.
Rooted in the spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Examen helps us notice where God has been present, where we have struggled, and where grace has quietly taken root.
The Ignatian Examen is not an examination of conscience focused on failure, but a way of learning to see our lives as God sees them—with mercy, patience, and love.
You may wish to pause at different moments, journal afterward, or return to this prayer more than once.
This reflection is intended to be prayed with slowly and attentively. Find a quiet place, allow yourself to be still, and enter into the closing of the year with honesty, gratitude, and hope.
For a written version, visit my Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/posts/gentler-way-to-146880542?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link). Members also have access to a couple additional prompts and practices.
3 Aug 2023
Fire (An Imaginative Contemplation)
This is a unique guided meditation experience that I put together inspired by the Catholic saint, Ignatius of Loyola and his Spiritual Exercises. It was crafted specifically for those with ADHD that may struggle with focusing through an entire meditation.
But even if you don't have ADHD and you've struggled with meditation - or prayer in general - because you are easily distracted and have trouble focusing, this is for YOU!
I have set the sounds of nature to lofi style chord loops and then added some ambient atmosphere to create a very special contemplative Catholic practice.
Access a Feelings Wheel here: https://www.rewardcharts4kids.com/feelings-wheel/
13 Jul 2023
Rain (An Imaginative Sound Contemplation)
In the style of St. Ignatius, but with my own twist in an effort to make it easier to enter in and stay focused.
Join the Discord Community: https://discord.gg/afjSg9qM
Access a feelings wheel here: https://www.rewardcharts4kids.com/feelings-wheel/
12 Jun 2021
12: How to Pray with Scripture
In this episode, I cover 4 different ways we can pray with Scripture.
Paraphrasing Method
Verse Study Method
Lectio Divina
Ignatian Contemplation
For more detailed notes and reference, you can check out the show notes at
27 May 2021
11: Specific vs. Spontaneous Prayer
In this episode, I talk about the difference between specific, intentional prayer time that is purposefully set aside and spontaneous, off-the-cuff prayers we pray throughout the day.
#unpopularopinion Specifically that we must have specific prayer in our lives. Spontaneous prayers just won't cut it on their own.
20 May 2021
10: Expressions of Prayer - Prayer IV
Now that we've talked about what prayer is, how to increase the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and how to combat difficulties that will arise, we will close this introductory series on prayer by talking about different expressions of prayer.
13 May 2021
9: Difficulties in Prayer - Prayer Part III
As we start to take prayer seriously, difficulties will inevitably arise as satan tries to thwart our growth! In this episode, we'll talk about many of those difficulties and how to combat them.
6 May 2021
8: How to Get More of the Holy Spirit - Prayer Part II
In this episode, we continue the series on prayer and dive into 4 places that the catechism tells us we can access more of the Holy Spirit!
Scripture
The Mass
Virtue
"today"
29 Apr 2021
7: What is Prayer? - Prayer Part I
In today's episode, we're talking about what prayer even is!
15 Apr 2021
6: Indulgences
In this episode, I talk about what indulgences are, what they are not, and how we can take holy advantage of them. I also talk about the Sacrament of Confession and ways that we grow in holiness so that we can skip Purgatory and go straight to heaven when we die.
8 Apr 2021
5: The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary
Did you know the Mysteries of the Rosary have fruits that you can ask for? Until this week I had no idea what these were or how I was supposed to incorporate them into my prayer. Let me share with you what I've learned.
6 Apr 2021
Contemplations: John 20:11-18
These contemplations are guided and they will show up periodically. In this one, Jesus appears in His risen body to Mary Magdalene. Join me in this moment and let the Holy Spirit speak to you through this story. If you'd like an introduction to Ignatian Contemplation, start with Episode 003 (https://anchor.fm/mattersoftheheartshow/episodes/HM-3---Introduction-to-Ignatian-Spirituality-A-Guided-Contemplation-eqgnqf).
Also, I'd love to know what is spoken to you in this contemplation if you feel comfortable sharing. You can reach out to me via Facebook messenger or in my instagram DM's @handmaidbyemily
8 Mar 2021
4: Intro to the Ignatian Examen
In this episode, I talk about what the Ignatian Examen is and guide you through a General Examen of your day.
RESOURCES:
The Hallow App (//hallow.com)
My membership community (https://band.us/n/a0ae53rboao75) of prayerful sisterhood
The line method of tracking progress...
Mon 1 ---------------
Mon 2 ---------------
Tues 1 --------
Tues 2 --------
Wed 1 ---
Wed 2 ---
16 Feb 2021
3: Intro to Ignatian Spirituality
In this episode, I walk you through an Ignatian Contemplation. These contemplations sit at the heart of St. Ignatius of Loyola's philosophy on prayer. Very closely related is the Examen, which I will cover in a subsequent episode (https://anchor.fm/mattersoftheheartshow/episodes/HM-4---Introduction-to-the-Ignatian-Examen-es0pff). I introduce and practice each section, then encourage you to hit the pause button to take as much time with the section as you need.
Resources featured in this episode:
Feelings Wheel
Discernment of Spirits Blog with my contemplation in it
5 Sections of the Ignatian Contemplation:
1. Preparation Invite the Holy Spirit into your space and acknowledge that you are doing this to grow closer to God.
2. Composition Use all 5 of your senses to compose the scene you will contemplate.
3. Contemplation Put yourself in the scene.
4. Colloquy Ask any questions you have of whomever it's appropriate to ask.
5. Journaling Write it all down.
8 Apr 2020
2: Being Chosen & Our Identity as Adopted Children of God
What does it really mean to be adopted children of God? What does it mean to be saved by the Blood of Christ? How did WE get to go from sinners to heirs?
In this episode, I cover a handful of personal revelations from my own life that led me to some profound realizations about what God has really done for us in adopting us and offering the inheritance saved for Jesus to each one of us.
2 Apr 2020
1: What Does it Really Mean to Trust in God & Why Does He Care?
In this very first episode, I share how God is connecting the dots in my life. I talk about the Old Testament, Mother Teresa, trust, obedience, and the one and only Fr. Mike Schmitz.
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