Giving Thanks.        “It seems to me in the light of the Divine Goodness, although others may think differently, that ingratitude is the most abominable of sins.” St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) wrote these words in a letter to a fellow Jesuit in 1542.       With Thanksgiving coming, we might pause to contemplate gratitude and ingratitude.        St. Ignatius, continues in that letter, For ingratitude “is a forgetting of the graces, benefits, and blessings received.  As such it is the cause, beginning, and origin of all sins and misfortunes.  On the contrary, the grateful acknowledgment of blessings and gifts received is loved and esteemed not only on earth but in heaven.”       What is the greatest sin, and root of all sin?   For St. Ignatius, ingratitude .        What is the cause of all our misfortunes?  Ingratitude.   (Remembe...

The Examen Prayer        In this last article in our series of prayer we want to look at prayer in the form of an examination of conscience.       St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), founder of the Company of Jesus (Jesuits), has much to say about prayer, praying with the Scriptures, and meditation (reflective or imaginative). Any of the books, CD’s, or DVD’s by Fr. Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV, does a marvelous job of explaining St. Ignatius’ teaching, methods, and “how-to” steps in today’s language and profusely illustrated with practical examples. Fr. Gallagher also has a book called, The Examen Prayer, Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today.       Catholic tradition has always recommended that we regularly examine our conscience to reflect prayerfully on our thoughts, words, deeds, and omissions in order to identify sins and faults needing correction. Certainly before the Sacrament of Penance (Confession), we alway...