We each need to find our own “Manresa” every day
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RETREATMASTER OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR PRAYER
As the clock strikes 8:00 PM, Father Nick Schiro enters Loyola Hall from the rear. 109 men are waiting in silence to hear the ninth lecture of their July, 2004, retreat. He begins the thirty-minute period with a prayer, then begins to talk about prayer. We know from his introduction two days prior that he teaches prayer at Jesuit High School in New Orleans. His experience and expertise are readily apparent. Father Schiro says that there are many ways to pray, and that whatever method we choose is fine. In the instant before he elaborates, each man at once considers his own style of praying and feels relieved that it is not about to be criticized by our skilled retreatmaster. “Prayer,” he continues, “actually happens when we listen.” One thing each man learns to appreciate on retreat at Manresa is the value of listening - that aspect of prayer that is so frequently washed away, eroded by the raging waters and distraction of secular life and the choices we make with our own free will. It is for this reason - and the trusting relationship that Father Schiro has honed with the men over the past eight lectures - that the group is so very eager for his imminent teaching. Father Schiro offers the gathering a hands-on exercise. First, he instructs the men to sit up straight, comfortably. The slight adjustment in posture is already surprisingly refreshing. Our attitudes have accordingly been alerted. Then, Father Schiro instructs the men to close their eyes. “Isolate your thoughts,” he says calmly. “Focus only on your breathing.” As the men follow his intructions, he continues very slowly, pausing even between phrases. “Inhale God.” The men cooperatively obey his instruction. “Exhale self.” His inflection is every bit serene as his voice is familiar. He repeats these instructions. Two minutes into the exercise, we are finished - we are ready for prayer. Father points out that this is but one way to quiet down one’s self for prayer, but it is important to start all prayer with an exercise to slow down. Continuing on the topic of prayer, Father Schiro mentions two forms of prayer: meditation and contemplation. Meditation is what we do when we are trying to figure something out. It starts in the head but in order to be effective it needs to move to the heart. On the other hand, contemplation is putting one’s self into the scene. Father also talks about the sources of prayer, and says we can find prayer in scripture and in nature. He asks volunteers to distribute one card to each man in the room. Now in hand, we see that on the card is “A Guide to Making the General Examen”, from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. The “Particular Daily Examen” has previously been discussed in The Lamb, but the card now before us lists the five points essential to the General Examen. You may recall that the essence of the Particular Examen is to go over a particular moral deficiency with daily regularity. While the General Examen does not conflict with the Particular, its goal is to keep one spiritually aware of all that pertains to the service of God. The five points of the General Examine are: 1. Thank God - "The first point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the gifts received." 2. Intention - "The second point is to ask for the grace to know my sins and to root them out." 3. Examination of the day - "The third point is to demand an account of my soul from the moment of rising to that of the present examination, hour by hour or period by period. The thoughts should be examined first, then the words, and finally the actions.” 4. Contrition - "The fourth point is to ask pardon of God our Lord for my faults." 5. Hope - "The fifth point is to resolve to amend with the help of God's grace. Close with the Lord's Prayer." As Father Schiro so eloquently and concisely reviews each point in the General Examen, the men quickly understand the benefits. Before the men leave to contemplate his words, Father urges the group - who are nearing the end of their retreat and will soon re-enter the raging waters of secular life - that each of us should pray every day. “Start with five minutes, but pray every day. We each need to find a ‘Manresa’ - a time and a place to pray - every day. ”