Category Archives: Ignatian Spirituality

When We Don’t Receive the Grace We Asked for

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

One more thing I want to share with you about my eight-day retreat. Following Ignatius’s example, Sylvester, my spiritual director for the week, encouraged me to ask God for the particular grace I wanted to receive from God in each … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Garrett Charles, hand in Wild Grass, I've Got Nothing, Ignatian prayer, Ignatian retreat, lloyd Morgan, Matthew 6:25-33, Matthew 6:33, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvester Tan | 2 Comments

Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I can’t spend a whole week on retreat with a holy God and not be confronted with my sins, I thought. Yet every time Sylvester assigned scriptures for me to pray with, it never came up. I started to believe I was going … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Ignatian retreat, Ignatian Spirituality, John 13;1, Julian of Norwich, prayer, sin, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Transformation | 2 Comments

My Soul Speaks

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Jesus kept his promise. During my eight-day retreat, he showed himself to me as I prayed with biblical stories and imagined myself as Hannah, the woman by the well, a child playing with Jesus, and the apostle Peter. “When you pray, ask … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination | Tagged 1 Samuel 1-2, Esther Hizsa, Guercino, Ignatian retreat, Ignatian Spirituality, John 4; 1-26, Luke 22:54-62, Matthew 18:1-5, Samaritan woman, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvester Tan, woman at the well | 8 Comments

Eight Days Alone with God

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

After a long kiss goodbye, Fred drove off. I brushed off my nervousness and unpacked my things. It didn’t take long–just clothes, knitting needles and yarn, my Bible, notebook and a copy of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. No computer, no other … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer | Tagged Dennis Wong, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spirituality, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Ignatius of Loyola, Isaiah 55, John 14, Miwok, Neil Gallop, prayer retreat, Redemption, retreat, silent prayer, silent retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvester Tan | 7 Comments

Returning to the Well

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

After the Samaritan woman talked with Jesus at the well, her life changed dramatically. From then on, I bet she kept an eye out for him whenever she went to get water. I can even imagine them having more conversations that weren’t recorded in scripture. In … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Prayer | Tagged approval, attachments, control, Esther Hizsa, false self, Ignatius of Loyola, John 4, living waters, Photine, Rezi, Samaritan woman, significance, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Spiritual Exercises, Vulcan Stream, woman at the well | 2 Comments

DIY Prayer Retreat #2: God Is Love Loving

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Read the introduction in DIY Prayer Retreat #1 for general instructions on how to facilitate a prayer retreat. 10:00- 10:30: Gather It is helpful to begin this retreat by sharing loving images of God. You may use artwork or a story like … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer Retreat Outline, Resource, Stories | Tagged Artisan Church, David L. Fleming SJ, DIY Prayer Retreat, Esther Hizsa, Examen, Ignatian Spirituality, Joel Montes de Oca, Journal entry, Lance Odegard, Neil Gallop, Parker Palmer, Prodigal Son, Rembrandt, silent prayer, silent retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Theophan the Recluse, What Is Ignatian Spirituality? | 2 Comments

Supervision Examen: An Ignatian reflection for spiritual directors

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Here is a helpful reflection for spiritual directors to use after offering spiritual direction. After offering spiritual direction, take some time to pray with what transpired. Begin by opening yourself to Christ’s presence. Descend with your mind into your heart and look into … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Resource, Spiritual Direction | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Examen for supervision, Ignatian Spirituality, jack Jewell, Risen Christ by the Sea, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, supervision | 4 Comments

We Are Not as Strong as We Think We Are

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I’m thinking about the things I do that hurt others and how I wish I wouldn’t do them. Thankfully, I have come to believe that God doesn’t despise me when I sin. Before I catch myself doing something wrong or … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit | Tagged Burnaby, Donghee Bae, Irene Nobrega, quantum bunny, Rich Mullins, Romans 7:21-25, sad creature, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, strong like bull, TakeTone Cements, Vancouver, We are not as strong as we think we are | 2 Comments

Uninvited Guests

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

On Christmas we entertained family and friends for most of the day. We enjoyed every guest that came. But visitors are not always easy to have around. They may come late, stay too long, or forget what they promised to bring. Inevitably someone will do something that unsettles … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Ignatian Spirituality | Tagged Berit Watkin, Calling of St.John, Coleman Barks, Essential Rumi, Jan Cornelisz Vermeyen, Rumi, The calling of St John during the marriage at Cana, The Guest House, Wedding at Cana, welcoming your feelings, Winter in Merstham | 7 Comments

Night Crossing

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Imagine you are in your favourite place, the instructions for the prayer read. Perhaps it is on a beach or in a cosy cabin. What do you see, hear, feel, taste, smell? Are you alone or with others? After you have relaxed … Continue reading →