Category Archives: Ignatian Spirituality

Live the Question

Posted on August 18, 2017 by

The most striking image I had during my eight-day retreat came when I prayed with the Nativity. After the Holy Child was born, Joseph delivered the placenta. He held this once vital organ in his hands and didn’t know what … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sin, Hell and Roller Derby

Posted on August 11, 2017 by

“I’d like you to pray with #50 in the Spiritual Exercises: the sin of the angels,” my director instructed on the third day of my eight-day retreat. He also assigned three more prayer periods focussing on sin and hell, mine … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Come Away

Posted on August 4, 2017 by

On July 6, I woke up oh darn early, packed my breakfast and lunch and kissed Fred goodbye. I took Gracie (my bike) onto the Skytrain then bus to Horseshoe Bay. At 7:40 am, I clicked into her pedals and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Led Into the Storm

Posted on July 21, 2017 by

If you haven’t already noticed, I love efficiency. I often look back on the chaotic, haphazard way I’ve arrived at a solution and–with a sigh–see a simpler, more direct route. It’s easy to assume that I did something wrong, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wide and Deep

Posted on January 20, 2017 by

I finally received my first royalty cheque from Amazon over a year after I published Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim. The amount? One hundred dollars and seventy-five cents. Humbling. I always wanted to write a book. Praying the Ignatian Exercises as … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Insight and Encounter

Posted on September 23, 2016 by

When our grandson was diagnosed with high functioning autism, we felt like we had cracked a code. We finally understood why he interacts with the world the way he does. With these insights, we can make adjustments that enable him enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

DIY Retreat #7: Circle Me, Lord

Posted on August 4, 2016 by

Here is another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline prepared by my friend Joy Richardson, a spiritual director in Coquitlam. You’ll find the introduction to DIY group prayer retreats here and other outlines under resources. CIRCLE ME, LORD After people have gathered, begin with a time of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rescued

Posted on July 22, 2016 by

As I looked back on my eight-day retreat, I saw the through-line of a story. It began with God’s whispers of love and a gentle awareness that I had been guarding and protecting my heart from God. At the beginning of the retreat, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What a Good Person Looks Like

Posted on July 15, 2016 by

I left my outer robe at the bottom of the sycamore and climbed into its branches. I had heard Jesus was coming this way and wanted to see what a good person looked like. Up in the tree with my bare … Continue reading →

Posted in Homelessness, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cracked Open: Part Two

Posted on July 8, 2016 by

After the pharisee listed my faults publicly and loudly, I began to weep. It was all true. I prayed, “Lord God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” My heart cracked open. I was now painfully aware of the extent to which … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments