Last night Fr. Dennis Hamm spoke to us about “rummaging for God” in our days. I like the word rummaging. I like rummage sales, I like looking for special deals, and I really like this new (to me) idea of the Ignatian style examen of conscience. He explained that the word for conscience in English doesn’t fully grasp the meaning of what conscience is- conscience being also consciousness, awareness, thoughts, events, and ideas, not just sins or feelings of guilt. I actually don’t really like doing examinations of conscience because I feel like …

These days, it feels if a big hand is moving me along in life, gently but a little too fast for my tastes. The coincidences that happen to me in great number are all blessings, and the nature of the graces that I receive shows me that somewhere, somehow, someone must love me tenderly.
Not that I can make any sense of it at the moment (that’s why I call them “coincidences”) but I’m sure it will all come together eventually. There is the grace of having two wonderful friends from …

You would think with our years of spiritual direction, deep study of scripture and all things Ignatian, and our community of Ignatian Associates we would have developed some incredibly special Christmas experiences or traditions.  But alas, our community actually struggled with what kind of Christmas celebration to have (Fun and games for community bonding? Fundraising for the poor? A potluck to keep it simple?)  This prompted me to wonder what exactly would an Ignatian Christmas look like?
 
(Now if you want the abbreviated version of my answer you can skip the …