Spiritual Formation

Still Waters at Nightfall: Reclaiming Rest Through the Ignatian Examen in an Age of Anxiety

As millions of Americans lie awake scrolling through devices or wrestling with the day's unresolved tensions, a 500-year-old Jesuit practice offers something pharmaceuticals cannot: a structured invitation to encounter God in the ordinary moments of each passing day. The Daily Examen, conceived by St. Ignatius of Loyola, is finding renewed relevance among Missouri Catholics and seekers who are discovering that intentional evening reflection can quiet the overstimulated mind and restore a sense o

Sep 6, 2026

Bread Broken Together: Transforming the Family Table Into a Place of Ignatian Prayer and Presence

For Missouri families seeking to nurture faith beyond Sunday worship, the dinner table offers an unexpected and profoundly sacred opportunity. Drawing on the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, this guide explores how intentional conversation, gratitude, and discernment can make every shared meal a moment of genuine encounter with God. Simple, practical, and rooted in centuries of Jesuit tradition, these practices are designed for real families living real lives.

Sep 6, 2026

Beyond the Résumé: How Missouri's Jesuit Schools Are Forming Students to Pursue Excellence in Service of Others

The Jesuit concept of magis — the relentless pursuit of the greater good — is alive and well in Missouri's classrooms, shaping a generation of young people who understand that genuine ambition is inseparable from a commitment to serve. From Saint Louis University to Rockhurst University in Kansas City, educators and students alike are discovering that the call to be 'more' is not a burden but a profound invitation. Here is how Missouri's Jesuit institutions are cultivating that spirit, one stude

Sep 6, 2026

Called to Serve: Five Ways Missourians Can Live Jesuit Values Through Volunteer Service

Service, in the Jesuit tradition, is never a one-directional act. When Missourians engage with their neighbors through volunteer work rooted in Ignatian values, something transformative happens to both parties. This guide highlights five concrete volunteer opportunities across Missouri where the call to be a person for others becomes a living, formative experience — shaping not only the communities served, but the hearts of those who serve.

Sep 5, 2026

Choosing Wisely in Uncertain Times: Applying Ignatian Discernment to Civic and Moral Life in Missouri

St. Ignatius of Loyola developed a rigorous framework for decision-making that has guided Jesuits and laypeople alike for nearly five centuries. Today, Missouri Catholics navigating the moral complexities of voting, activism, and community life are finding that these ancient tools remain remarkably relevant. This practical guide walks readers through the key principles and exercises of Ignatian discernment, applied directly to the challenges of contemporary civic engagement.

Sep 5, 2026

Pause, Reflect, Renew: Bringing St. Ignatius's Ancient Prayer Practice Into the Rhythm of Everyday American Life

In an age defined by relentless distraction and mounting uncertainty, the five-step Examen prayer developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola offers a structured path toward interior clarity and purposeful living. Jesuit communities across Missouri are quietly reintroducing this centuries-old practice to parishes, families, and workplaces—one reflective pause at a time. This article explores the Examen's enduring relevance and offers practical guidance for incorporating it into the cadence of contempora

Sep 5, 2026