Welcome to St. Therese Catholic Church

                       July 27, 2025 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time — 

                                  Forms of Prayer (6) – Prayer of Examination

We continue our reflection on the various forms of prayer. Traditionally, there are seven types of prayer: adoration, admiration and praise, contrition, thanksgiving or gratitude, petition and intercession, examination, and relinquishment. This week, we focus on the Prayer of Examination. The Examination of Conscience is a form of prayer that invites us to reflect on our thoughts, words, and actions in light of faith, with the aim of recognizing sins and shortcomings. It is an essential step in preparing for the Sacrament of Penance (confession), deeply rooted in Scripture and Catholic tradition. Spiritual authors identify two types of examinations. The first is conducted in preparation for confession. Its purpose is to honestly review one’s sins, behaviors, and moral choices—to seek forgiveness and healing, and to grow closer to God. However, when done improperly, this type of examination can give rise to anxiety, excessive scrupulosity, discouragement, or even despair. The second type of examination is more oriented toward spiritual growth. It is a daily spiritual practice aimed at deepening one’s relationship with God and progressing in holiness. Many spiritual writers strongly emphasize this form of the examen as an effective means of fostering self-awareness and transformation. St. Ignatius of Loyola proposed two main forms of this practice: the General Examen and the Particular Examen. The General Examen is a daily reflection on one’s overall spiritual state and typically includes five steps: 1. Gratitude, 2. Asking for divine light to see one's sins, 3. Reviewing the events of the day, 4. Seeking pardon, 5. Making a concrete resolution for improvement. The Particular Examen, on the other hand, focuses on a specific virtue or vice. It is practiced multiple times a day—upon rising, after lunch, and in the evening—each time involving reflection and renewed commitment. Both forms are powerful tools for steady and conscious spiritual development. To gain the most from them, one must go beyond simply evaluating individual actions. Instead, we are invited to look deeper—at the habits, attitudes, and inclinations that shape our inner life. This is where the simple yet profound question arises: “Where is my heart?” By honestly asking this, we begin to uncover the dominant drives behind our actions. True transformation occurs not by obsessing over external behavior, but by addressing the core orientation of the soul. When the heart is rightly ordered, the actions will naturally follow. Ultimately, the examination of conscience integrates three essential elements: 1. A spiritual awareness of one’s interior life, 2. Sincere contrition for failures. 3. A concrete resolution for change. When practiced faithfully, this form of prayer doesn’t merely foster reflection—it leads to transformation. It unifies our spiritual efforts and becomes a powerful means of avoiding sin and growing in virtue. Without it, many other spiritual practices may lose their effectiveness. For those committed to the journey of holiness, the daily and intentional practice of the examination of conscience is not optional—it is essential. — Fr. Jesu.