Examining Your Conscience for the Past Year (Annual Examen)

St. Ignatius of Loyola taught us the Examen. Normally, we do it at night. But you can do it for the whole year.

The 5 Steps (Annual Edition)

1. Light: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the year as He sees it.
2. Thanksgiving: Scroll through your calendar month by month. What were the highlights? (The vacation, the promotion, the baby). Thank Him.
3. Feelings: Look for the lowlights. Where were you sad, angry, or distant from God? (The breakup, the failure). Don't judge it. Just feel it with Him.
4. Sorrow: Where did you say "No" to God? Ask forgiveness.
5. Hope: Look at the year ahead. What is one thing you are looking forward to?

Journal your answers. Use the Prayer Journal feature in the MyPrayerTower app.