In his Ignatius Knew, American Jesuit Ralph Metz proposes what he calls “an Ignatian pedagogical paradigm” at the core of which is the cycle experience/reflection/action.  In my work with highschool students doing the Spiritual Exercises, I have found the hardest part for the retreatants is the “reflection” aspect. Both their own age and the age in which they live promote a “consumerist” attitude towards experience, a fast-food approach where life is gobbled down and one moves on to the next experience, not quite mindlessly but certainly not mindfully.

This year the directors at St. Paul’s High School are encouraging retreatants to make specific preparation for their regular meetings with their directors. Following is the gist of what we are asking of them.

   Your director will want to know how your retreat experience is proceeding so that he might help it be an even better one for you. While directors have different styles (as do retreatants!) there are certain areas that all are interested in. Hence, it is quite important that the retreatant prepare for the meeting, either the evening before the meeting or the morning before. You might want to make some notes in your journal over some or all of the following:

    Have you been receiving the grace?—The purpose of every prayer session is to receive the grace for which you are praying. Be attentive all week for his grace, for you may receive it at unexpected times. When you do receive it, DROP EVERYTHING ELSE and accept it–don’t think about it–accept it. Later, when you reflect on your experience, journal about the times you received it; describe it; what was happening when you received it; how long did it last?

   If not, what is getting in the way?– Are you praying as instructed? Do you really want this grace? If you don’t, can you at least pray for the desire to receive the grace?    

   What desires/energies are moving in you this past week?–  Are you…enthusiastic? bored? on fire with energy? lethargic and listless? looking for opportunities to do God’s will? tempted to sin? grateful for God’s love and forgiveness? down on yourself? moving outward towards God and others? spiraling inward to selfishness?

   Are your prayer/spiritual experiences ‘spilling out’ into your ordinary life? – Is the grace you are seeking on your mind throughout the day? Are you getting this grace at unexpected times?

   Who is Jesus to me this week? –Just as our relationships with friends and family grow and change, so does our relationship with Jesus and with the Father.

     You shower before a big date; you get mentally set before a big game. In a similar way, preparing for your director meeting helps you get a better result.