Category Archives: Prayer

Living Out of Our Stories

Posted on September 1, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“We live out of our stories,” Monty Williams, SJ said to our little group of Ignatian directors. We listened intently to this wise, amiable priest who was born in Guyana seven decades ago. Father Williams explained that each of us … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Droplet, Esther Hizsa, Forlorn, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Monty Williams SJ, Regis College, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, wan mohd, Water II | 1 Comment

Saved

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

O Sapientia I cannot think unless I have been thought, Nor can I speak unless I have been spoken. I cannot teach except as I am taught, Or break the bread except as I am broken. O Mind behind the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged 8 day retreat, Annunciation, Esther Hizsa, Fra Angelico, Franz Mayer, Malcolm Guite, O Sapientia, Plum leaves, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Nativity | Leave a comment

Live the Question

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

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 abhijit chendvankar, Alan Levine, Closed until further notice, Esther Hizsa, Father John O'Brien, Gerard van Honthorst, Ignatian retreat, Rainer Maria Rilke, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, That is the question, The Nativity | Leave a comment

Sin, Hell and Roller Derby

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“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 8 day retreat, Angel Reloaded, Carlo Scherer, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Parks Canada, Queen of Peace, roller derby, Sea-to-Sky Sirens, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Come Away

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

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 8 day retreat, Dominican, Esther Hizsa, Queen of Peace, silent retreat, Sister Jeam-Marie, Sister Mary Regina, Song of Songs 8:14, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Squamish Valley | 2 Comments

Led Into the Storm

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

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 Dewolfs, Esther Hizsa, friendliest bus driver, Hafiz, Jayber Crow, Jesus calms storm, Mark 4:35-41, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sweet Moon Language, Wendell Berry | 1 Comment

Flies and Cold Fish

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I’ve been doing too much, thinking too much. I’m so full of thoughts about what I have to do, my prayer times are inundated with them. I try to push them away, but each one promises to be the thought that will … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Prayer | Tagged Alone in the woods, Another foggy morning, Ascension Day, Carlo Scherer, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, Hafiz, Jan L. Richardson, Just Sit There Right Now, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stay, The Gift | Leave a comment

Aching for More

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

It’s Tuesday and I haven’t written Friday’s blog post yet. I’ve finished praying and have nothing scheduled for the rest of the morning; it’s an ideal setting to write. Often the story has already come together, and I just need a chunk … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Writing | Tagged Acts 17:28, Blank page new day, cistercaminante, Esther Hizsa, James Finley, Psalm 5:3, Rick Stilwell, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of Thomas Merton | Leave a comment

Connected

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I tried to lie back and relax in the underground saltwater pool but whenever I did, I began to drift toward people I didn’t know. I was afraid I’d bump against them and disturb their solace. The Nordik spa in Gatineau, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged breath prayer, Esther Hizsa, John 15:4, Nordik Spa, salt water pool, SETShots, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, tonglin prayer, Two Hands | Leave a comment

A Sense of God’s Presence

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

This month I returned to Bowen Island to spend a few days alone with God. I hoped it would help me get through the dark months ahead. I didn’t have much of a sense of God’s presence until I passed by a church and … Continue reading →