Take a trip down memory lane with some of the Jesuits in Britain as they share the stories that have shaped their lives over the years both inside and outside of the Society of Jesus.

Jesuit Memories

Examens

Preparing for Prayer

For the first time the Jesuits in Britain are offering an online audio retreat with a difference, for Eastertide.

“Walking with the Risen Christ – New Creation Retreat”, which offers daily scripture, reflections and music.

Walking with the Risen Christ - New Creation Retreat

St Ignatius recommended the Examen, an ancient Christian prayer, to all Jesuit priests and brothers. The prayer aims to allow you to understand how God works in your life through your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Music:
The music is by Tom McGuinness, SJ, Programme Director at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow.  You can find more about his music here: www.mccrimmons.com/product/182/267

Examen Prayer I

This audio guide gives more information on praying the Examen Prayer.

Introduction to the Examen Prayer

This Examen Prayer is specifically designed for use with children of Key Stage 1 and 2 age.

At the end of your day, find a comfortable place, and remind yourself that God is there with you.

Now look back over your day. Were you at home? Were you at school? Were you somewhere else? 

What made you happy today? Did somebody say or do something that made you feel good? Someone in your family, a friend, a teacher or someone else? Did you say or do anything that made you feel good? Was there something that you really enjoyed? Whatever made you feel happy today, thank God for those things now. 

Did anything make you sad today? Maybe something that happened, or that someone said or did? Did you do something that made you feel unhappy? Maybe there is something you want to say sorry for? Whatever made you feel sad or unhappy today, remember that you are precious to God and that nothing ever changes that. 

Now think about your day tomorrow. Is there anything you would like to ask God to help you with, or anything you are worried about, or anything that you need? Talk to God about it now and ask God to be with you through your day. 

Together let’s say the Glory Be.


Examen for Children

An Examen designed for teenagers and young adults.

The Examen is a way to look back over your day to say thank you for the things which have gone well and sorry for the things which have not. By doing it each day, you will become more aware of what God is doing in your life. People who use this prayer often find that their lives just get better.
First start by finding stillness. Allow yourself to relax and just do the minimum it takes to be here. Shut your eyes if it helps. Gently listen to all the sounds around you. Try to capture each one.
Now, what was the best thing which happened today? It might be something small, it might be something big. Remember that moment in your day, see it again, touch it, hear it, smell it or taste it all over again… and whatever that moment was, just thank God for it.
Let that feeling of thankfulness spread to the whole of your day. Ask for a gentle light so you can see what God has been doing in your life.
Now replay everything that happened today in your mind, just as though you are watching a movie. Start from the moment you woke up… what you did with your day… how you spent your free time… the people you were with… what amazed you or what disappointed you…
Where you feel thankful, give thanks to God who gave you that moment…
Where you did not live up to everything you could be, say sorry to God…
Now you have replayed the day in your mind, let those feelings of gratitude and sorrow sink deeper. Speak to God about your day, in the same way you speak to one of your friends.
And finally, what is the one thing which you need to ask from God to strengthen you for tomorrow? Ask him for it now.


Examen for Young Adults

St Ignatius recommended the Examen, an ancient Christian prayer, to all Jesuit priests and brothers. The prayer aims to allow you to understand how God works in your life through your thoughts, actions, and feelings.

Music:
Hear My Prayer, O Lord by Henry Purcell, sung by the Choir of the King's Consort from Essential Purcell also available on The Complete Anthems and Services: 3. Copyright © Hyperion Records. Used with permission. 

Sefauchi's Farewell by Henry Purcell from English Lute Songs, played by Elizabeth Kenny. Copyright © Hyperion Records. Used with permission. 

Examen Prayer II

If you have time, this four-minute body exercise can be a useful preparation for prayer, helping you to develop the stillness, focus and attentiveness that you need.  

Body Exercise

If you have time, this four-minute breathing exercise can be a useful preparation for prayer, helping you to develop the stillness, focus and attentiveness that you need.

Breathing Exercise

How do i make choices? How do i find the right path for me? Try this short reflection to help start to think about these things. Music thanks to the Jesuits of Colombia.

In The Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful

John Ogilvie SJ was born of noble Calvinist parents in 1579 at Drumna-Keith in Banffshire, Scotland. As a boy he was sent to the continent to further his education. With the help of Father Cornelius van den Steen (also known as Cornelius a Lapide) he was received into the Catholic Church, and was a student at the Scots College in Louvain and at other centres of learning. He entered the Society of Jesus on November 5 1599, and after insistent pleading, he was allowed to return to his native country where his ministry was cut short by his betrayal and capture in Glasgow. After extreme suffering he was hanged on March 10, 1615. The principal cause of his martyrdom was his insistence on the primacy of the Pope in spiritual matters, a primacy he affirmed with great constancy to the very end. He was enrolled among the saints by Blessed Pope Paul VI on October 17, 1976.

The following letter written secretly in prison a short time before his death and addressed to Father Claude Acquaviva, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, reveals the courage and humility with which St John faced martyrdom:

Dearest and wisest of veterans, after Christ and his angels and saints the most tender love of my heart. 

My sufferings are terrible, the tortures severe. Your Paternity’s charity will ensure that you pray for me, that I may die with great generosity for the ever victorious Jesus. May Christ long protect you, the most expert leader of his chosen and tested soldiers as the bulwark of his Church. 

Your Very Reverend Paternity’s little servant in Christ, and most unworthy child,

John Ogilvie SJ

Last Letter Of St John Ogilvie SJ

St Nicholas Owen was born in 1562 in Oxford into a devout recusant family, and trained as a carpenter and joiner.  Very little is known of his ministry as a Jesuit, other than he put his training as a carpenter to work constructing priest holes. The only written account of him comes from what others have written about him, and we've collected these together in this audio. Read the transcript of this recording on the Jesuits in Britain Ignatian Insight blog: https://www.jesuit.org.uk/node/2519

St Nicholas Owen SJ - Biography and Last Confession

It is Holy Week – the week in which we re-live in our prayers the journey Jesus made from Jerusalem to his crucifixion on Calvary and his resurrection.
We have produced eight conversations for Holy week to take you back to those tense and frightening days in Jerusalem and place you alongside the apostles as they try to make sense of the political and mystical forces at work in what is happening to them, to Jesus their Lord, and to the people of God.

2 Imaginative Conversations - Remembering Palm Sunday

1 Imaginative Conversations - Introduction

On Tuesday Jesus and his friends returned to the house of Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary at Bethany.  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead just a few days before.  They were anxiously awaiting an official reaction to the events of the previous day at the temple and planning their Passover celebration.  They know Jesus has a plan which is coming to its climax but they are not sure where it will lead them or what will happen.  In a gesture of love Mary uses some expensive ointment to anoint Jesus’ feet.  
Andrew and James are discussing events and Mary joins them. They are excited but anxious, full of passion and belief but also doubt and fear.  

4 Imaginative Conversations - Tuesday's Tears

On Wednesday some of the apostles have returned to Jerusalem to make arrangements for the celebration of Passover on the following day. By now the mood in the city has changed.  The high priests and security forces have clamped down, there is a price on Jesus’ head as a known troublemaker.  Simon and Nathanael are waiting to meet a contact who will help them.  They encounter Judas.

5 Imaginative Conversations - Wednesday - An Encounter With Judas

On Thursday all the pilgrims and people of Jerusalem are celebrating the festival of Passover.  Jesus and his friends have had their Last Supper where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, and offers them bread and wine to foretell the sacrifice he is about to make.  Jesus predicts the treachery of Judas and the denial of Peter.  After their Passover meal they leave the city together in the dark to return to the relative safety of Bethany. They stop to pray along the way.  Jesus’ arrest is now imminent.
Thomas, Martha and Philip wait for the group with hearts full of wonder at what they have witnessed.  

6 Imaginative Conversations - Holy Thursday

An introduction to the novena, by Simon Bishop SJ.
Music: Shestopsalmiye, by Rachmaninoff performed by Tenebrae directed by Nigel Short from Rachmaninoff's Vespers. © Signum Records. Used with Permission. 
 

Hearts On Fire - Introduction

Reading: Luke 22:14-20

Music: The Creed, by The Kyiv Chamber Choir, from Liturgy of Peace. © Kyiv Chamber Choir. Used with permission.

Day 1 Of The Novena

Reading: Luke 23:34-38
Music: Kyrie, by The University of Johannesburg, from Missa de Meridiana Terra. © University of Johannesburg Choir. Used with permission. 

Day 2 - A Forgiving Heart

Reading: Matthew 4:1-4

In Quietness, by Luke Parker, from Home. © Luke Parker. Used with permission. (Instrumental: Pag-aalay ng Sarili, by the Jesuits of the Philippines, from Vespers 2. © The Jesuit Music Ministry. Used with permission.)

Day 3 - A Docile Heart

Reading: Matthew 18:1-4
Music: Beni Soit le Christ, by The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa, from Office du Dimanche 1, © Musique Abbaye Keur Moussa. Used with permission. (Instrumental: Improvisation Kora - Flute, from Office du Dimanche 2. ©  Musique Abbaye Keur Moussa. Used with permission.)


Day 4 - A Childlike Heart

Reading: John 20:19-20
Music: Da Pacem Cordium, by the Community of Taizé, from Ubi Caritas. © Taizé. Used with permission.

Day 5 - A Peace - Giving Heart

Reading: Luke 15:11-24
Music: Padre Nostro (Our Father), by the Communita di Bose, from Il Giorni del Signore. Instrumental: Interludio no. 15,  by the Communita di Bose, from Il Giorni del Signore. © Moastero di Bose. Used with permission. 

Day 7 - A Merciful Heart

Reading: John 17:20-24
Music: Dwell Among Us, by Salt of the Sound, from Dwell Among Us. Instrumental: Even the winds and the waves obey him, by Salt of the Sound, from Meditations vol. 1.  © Salt of the Sound. Used with permission.

Day 8 - A Unifying Heart

Reading: Matthew 11:28-30
Music: Come to me, by Margaret Rizza, from Fountain of Life. © Margaret Rizza. Used with permission. 

Day 9 - The Welcoming Heart

Between the 9th and the 13th of November 2016, the relics of St Margaret Mary Alacoque and St Claude de la Colombière will come to London, all the way from Paray-Le-Monial (France). This novena leads us and prepares us for this visit. It is written by David Stewart SJ, and prepared in collaboration with Pray as you go. Listen to the novena day by day or follow along at your own pace.

Novena Day 1 - How I depend on God for my existence

In the Spiritual Exercises, St Ignatius gives us the idea of meeting sacred scripture with one's own life, mediated through Imaginative Contemplation. The aim of these reflections is to do this in tandem with pieces of art. Each month therefore, we will offer a painting in the hope that it will enable you to reflect more deeply on a particular passage of scripture. The idea is that you can return to the painting and scripture and discover more depth throughout the month.

Introduction to Praying with Art

As we continue through Lent towards Holy Week, Good Friday and Holy Saturday we are asked not to rush, not to start preparations for the resurrection, but to wait, to understand our own powerlessness. On International Women’s Day, we begin to listen to the voices of women who, on Holy Saturday, are doing just that. They are women of God, who have been present in Jesus’s life; women whose stories are often told but not always heard; strong women, loving women who, even though they do not fully understand what is happening, are waiting, waiting for God to act.

Music used: Mazurka in G minor Op 67 No 2. By Chopin, arranged by Chad Lawson for piano, violin and cello0, from 'The Chopin Variations'. 
Music licensed by Magnatune under a by-nc-sa license creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0/legalcode

Introduction to Women of the Cross

Music used: Mazurka in G minor Op 67 No 2. By Chopin, arranged by Chad Lawson for piano, violin and cello0, from 'The Chopin Variations'. 
Music licensed by Magnatune under a by-nc-sa license creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-…a/1.0/legalcode
Photo by mahyar tehrani on Unsplash

Woman taken in adultery

Music used: Mazurka in G minor Op 67 No 2. By Chopin, arranged by Chad Lawson for piano, violin and cello0, from 'The Chopin Variations'. 
Music licensed by Magnatune under a by-nc-sa license creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-…a/1.0/legalcode

Veronica

Music used: Mazurka in G minor Op 67 No 2. By Chopin, arranged by Chad Lawson for piano, violin and cello0, from 'The Chopin Variations'. 
Music licensed by Magnatune under a by-nc-sa license creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-…a/1.0/legalcode
Photo by cristian-newman on unsplash

Martha

Mary of Bethany

Woman at the Well

Woman with a Haemmorhage

Mary Magdalene

“Walking with the Risen Christ – New Creation Retreat”, which offers daily scripture, reflections and music. This retreat is part of a developing ministry to promote and support young adults in their journey as missionary disciples, whose discipleship is formed and shaped by the central ideas of integral ecology as outlined in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’.

Music: 'Light of the Heart' by Suzanne Teng, from 'Enchanted Wind'. (Licensed under a by-nc-sa license from Magnatune: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0/legalcode)

Enchanted Wind

Light of the Heart

Music

Walking with the Risen Christ - New Creation retreat Introduction

Week 1 from Laudato Si paragraph 84. 
The entire world speaks of God’s love ….
Grace: That we may recognise God in all that has been created and give praise.

Music: 'It is the Spirit of Love' by Margaret Rizza from 'Awakening in Love'.

Awakening in Love

It is the spirit of love

Day 1; Week 1 - Walking with the Risen Christ; New Creation

Week 1 from Laudato Si paragraph 84. 
The entire world speaks of God’s love ….
Grace: That we may recognise God in all that has been created and give praise.

Music: 'Dwell among us' by Salt of the Sound.
Instrumental: 'Light's Return' by Kourosh Dini from 'Calm'. (Licensed under a by-nc-sa license from Magnatune: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0/legalcode)

Free Sound Effects (https://www.zapsplat.com). Used under their standard license agreement.

Calm

Light's Return

Day 2; Week 1 - Walking with the Risen Christ; New Creation

Week 1 from Laudato Si paragraph 84. The entire world speaks of God’s love ….
Grace: That we may recognise God in all that has been created and give praise.

Music: 'Hestopsalmiye' by Rachmaninoff, performed by Tenebrae. Used with the kind permission of Signum Records.

Free Sound Effects (https://www.zapsplat.com). Used under their standard license agreement.

Rachmaninoff's Vespers

Hestopsalmiye

Day 3; Week 1 - Walking with the Risen Christ; New Creation

Week 1 from Laudato Si paragraph 84. The entire world speaks of God’s love ….
Grace: That we may recognise God in all that has been created and give praise.

Music: 'Cantate Domino' by the Monks of Glenstal Abbey from 'Gregorian Chants'.

Instrumental: 'Interludio no. 15' by the Communita di Bose, from 'Il giorno del Signore'.

Free Sound Effects (https://www.zapsplat.com). Used under their standard license agreement.

Day 4; Week 1 - Walking with the Risen Christ; New Creation

Week 6 from Laudato Si paragraph 15. 
To act in the world with care and concern, moving toward reconciliation with each other, with the world and with God.
Grace: That we may respond to the call of Christ to live in the world with hope and love, responding to the needs we encounter in a spirit of service and praise.


Music: 'Ukuthula' by the University of Johannesburg Choir.
Instrumental: 'Above the Clouds' by Suzanne Teng from 'Enchanted Wind.' (Licensed under a by-nc-sa license from Magnatune: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0/legalcode)

Free Sound Effects (www.zapsplat.com). Used under their standard license agreement.

Above the Clouds

Day 5; Week 6 - Walking with the Risen Christ; New Creation

Week 6 from Laudato Si paragraph 15. 
To act in the world with care and concern, moving toward reconciliation with each other, with the world and with God.
Grace: That we may respond to the call of Christ to live in the world with hope and love, responding to the needs we encounter in a spirit of service and praise.

Music: 'Ngaza Ngambona' by Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Free Sound Effects (www.zapsplat.com). Used under their standard license agreement.

Favourites

Ngaza Ngambona

Day 3; Week 6 - Walking with the Risen Christ; New Creation

Dr Paul O'Reilly SJ, who is a GP in practice at the Cardinal Hume Centre for homeless people, preached this homily at the service of blessing of the Homeless Jesus statue by Timothy Schmalz at Farm Street Church, on the 15th January 2019.

Homily for the blessing of the Homeless Jesus - Paul O'Reilly SJ

Alan Harrison SJ: On Arrupe

James Hodkinson SJ: Our Lady & St Joseph

James Hodkinson SJ: Advice

Tony Nye SJ: On Doubt

Alan Harrison SJ: The Great Adventure

Michael Smith SJ: A Vocation Story

Alan Harrison SJ: A Vocation Story

Rooted in the rich tradition of our spirituality, Jesuits are contemplatives in action, living lives of service around the world.

Jesuits in Britain

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