Spiritual Exercises

I have been on a journey. It has lasted nearly 38 years, but only a fraction of that time has been intentional. This summer, I began a certification program at a School of Spirituality. The program is intense. Intensely academic, but even more intensely healing. Part of the requirements for completion is working through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola.

If you know anything about these exercises, you may know it's a daunting task and demanding journey. Ignatius wrote the exercises to be completed in an intense 30 day secluded retreat or nineteenth annotation, for those unable to "escape" from daily life. As a mother of adolescent children, it's not practical for me to take off for thirty days, so a few weeks ago, I began the 19.

Today, just after my prayer time, I had a thought that I should jot down thoughts from my experiences. Though part of the journey involves journaling after each hour of prayer, I find myself having some reflections that are worth remembering outside of my prayer time.

The first thing of import: I am not holy. I am a woman with a sinful past who struggles daily with temptations and sins. I desire deeply to know, love and serve the Lord and am on a mission to transform myself, with His grace and mercy, into the creation He intended. This is going to require a great deal of healing and docility to the Spirit.

If you are so inclined, please pray for me.

Peace be with you.