By Claire Meixner
Today’s Catholic
Aug. 24, some 80 young adults gathered in fellowship and faith at Blue Star Brewery to hear Theology on Tap speaker Jesuit Father Sean Salai.
Father Salai began by inviting the audience to join in a moment of prayful reflection, an entry point into his discussion of the Ignatian Examen of Conscience, a prayerful method described by St. Ignatius in his Spiritual Exercises.
After describing the life of St. Ignatius and his path to faith, Father Salai explained the purpose and process of the general examen of conscience. The examen (latin for examination) is a time to replay your day in your imagination, using five points to guide your reflection — thanksgiving, intention, examination, contrition and hope. The process usually lasts about 15 minutes and is repeated throughout the day.
This time in meditative prayer allows an opportunity to detect God’s prescence and discern his purpose for our lives. It is also, according to Father Salai, a time for “inviting God into the messiness of your life.”
Father Salai demonstrated the examen of conscience by leading the audience through the process, one point at a time.
Here are the next two speakers for Theology on Tap at Blue Star Brewery:
September 28 • 7-9 p.m.
Speaker: Friar Paul Schloemer, OFM
Topic: Throwaway culture
October 26 • 7-9 p.m.
Speaker: Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS
Topic: TBD
About the Speaker
Jesuit Father Sean M. Salai grew up in Indiana and attended Wabash College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history, then worked as a reporter at the Washington Times. He entered the Society of Jesus in 2005. He earned a master’s degree in applied philosophy at Loyola University Chicago, and a Master of Divinity degree at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in California. He is also a special contributor to America magazine. The author of two books, including “All the Pope’s Saints: The Jesuits Who Shaped Pope Francis,” Father Salai is parochial vicar to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in San Antonio.