Prayer & Spirituality Formation

St. Mary Student Parish, as a Jesuit parish, is rooted in Ignatian spirituality. We seek to help all members of our community discover God already at work in their lives through prayer, reflection, and spiritual practice.

Ignatian Spirituality

Ignatian spirituality is rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. Key elements of Ignatian spirituality include:

Finding God in All Things

Recognizing God’s presence in every aspect of daily life.

Daily Examen

A simple prayer of reflection on the events of the day to discern God’s presence and direction.

Discernment

Seeking to understand God’s will and make decisions in light of faith.

Contemplative in Action

Balancing prayer with active service.

The Daily Examen

The Examen is a prayer that takes about 15 minutes and involves reviewing the events of the day with attention to God’s presence. St. Ignatius considered the Examen so important that he urged his companions to practice it even when time was short.

Steps of the Examen:

  1. Become aware of God’s presence
  2. Review the day with gratitude
  3. Pay attention to your emotions
  4. Choose one feature of the day and pray about it
  5. Look toward tomorrow

Opportunities for Prayer and Spiritual Growth

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Eucharistic Adoration is offered at designated times. Watch and pray in the presence of the Eucharist.

Taizé Prayer

Join us for contemplative Taizé-style prayer, featuring simple chants, Scripture, and silence. These prayer evenings are offered periodically throughout the year.

Lenten Prayer Opportunities

During Lent, we offer additional prayer opportunities including Stations of the Cross, Lenten reflection series, and communal reconciliation services.

Retreats

Student retreats are offered throughout the academic year. These include weekend retreats, day retreats, and silent retreats. For more information, see our campus ministry programs.

Small Church Communities

Small Church Communities (SCCs) gather regularly to share faith, pray together, and support one another. These groups meet at various times during the week. Contact the parish office to join a group.

Spiritual Direction

For those seeking individual spiritual direction, our Jesuit priests are available to accompany you. Contact the parish office to arrange a meeting.

Resources for Prayer

The parish library, located in the Newman Center, has a collection of books on prayer and spirituality available for borrowing. Online resources for Ignatian prayer include the Jesuit prayer website and the Ignatian Spirituality website.