The Ignatian Examen

Saint Peter’s College is one of twenty-eight Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States and the only one in New Jersey. Since 1872, Saint Peter’s College has offered a university education based on the fundamental values of academic excellence, leadership, service and faith. Dedicated to providing a high quality and affordable Jesuit education to our students, the College offers an extensive scholarship program and the second lowest Jesuit tuition rate on the East Coast.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, knew that the body, mind and spirit could be uniquely nourished in educational institutions. A critical component of his spirutality was a type of prayer simply called the Daily Examen or the Ignatian Examen. The basic idea is to take a close look at one's day - the triumphs and trials, the good and the bad, and see where God fits in. Lent is a wonderful time to develop practices of reflection and introspection. The video below, produced by the California Province Jesuits, shares experiences with the prayer.

Lenten Activities and Calendar

During Lent, the Office of Campus Ministry at Saint Peter's College offers many opportunities for reflection and prayer on-campus. They post a weekly calendar, News from the Pews, on their website. If your schedule simply does not work with these events, BustedHalo shares their very popular Fast Pray Give Lenten calendar online. The calendar and website are very popular with young adults across the country and internationally as well.

Lent Begins

Around the world, many Christians celebrate the beginning of Lent today on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a season of fasting, almsgiving and repentence before the joyous celebration of Easter. The day acquired the name of Ash Wednesday due to the ashes placed on the foreheads of worshippers. As ashes are imposed on a person's forehead, the person administering the ashes repeats one of the following prayers:

Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.
—Genesis 3:19
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
—Mark 1:15
Repent, and hear the good news.
—Mark 1:15

Anyone may receive ashes in a Roman Catholic Church. Similarly, many other Christian denominations also allow ashes to be received by anyone. Catholics (and many other Christians) follow rules of fasting that include abstaining from meat and only partaking in one full meal and two smaller meals.

At Saint Peter's College, there are several opportunities for community celebration on Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday Mass
12:00 p.m., Roy Irving Theatre
Rev. Stephen Hess, S.J., newly-appointed associate vice president for student life and development, will celebrate this Mass.

Ecumenical Prayer Service
3:00 p.m., Roy Irving Theatre
Cheryl Schenk, senior assistant director of admission, will lead prayer at this service. The Voices of Praise Gospel Choir will provide music.

Mass
5:00 p.m., Chapel of Saint Peter

Mass
7:00 p.m., Christ Chapel (Vet’s Memorial Residence Hall) If you are interested in attending this Mass, please contact Ginette for details at gholowatch@spc.edu.