Catechist's Journey

Lord, You Called Me book cover and author photo of Ricardo Grzona

Reflecting on Your Calling as a Catechist

One of the themes emphasized in the new Directory for Catechesis (as in the previous General Directory for Catechesis) is the notion that catechists have a vocation. In particular, the new directory says: “The catechist is a Christian who receives a particular calling from God that, when accepted in faith, empowers him for the service of the transmission of faith and for the task of initiating others into the Christian life.” (112) This “particular calling” […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: St. Ignatius of Loyola and Striving for the More

Joe Paprocki

Coaches often encourage their players to give 110%, which simply means to always strive for more. This idea of wanting to do more, or magis (MAH-jiss) in Latin, was at the heart of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s spirituality: we should always strive to do more “for the greater glory of God.” In today’s episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we prepare for the Feast of St. Ignatius on July 31 by exploring the concept of magis. For more […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: Praying the Daily Examen

Joe Paprocki

I’m fond of saying that God is most often recognized in the rearview mirror. In other words, we seem to be more capable of recognizing God in past events than in the present. St. Ignatius of Loyola thought along those same lines, which is why he promoted a simple prayer called the Daily Examen. In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we look at the practice of praying the Examen in order to recognize God’s presence in […]

Pop-Up Catechesis: “Finding God Everywhere” Game

Joe Paprocki

In today’s episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, we look at a fun game to play with your children to break up the day and to teach a lesson about “finding God in all things”—something that St. Ignatius of Loyola taught and a concept that is very comforting (and much needed) during this time of isolation and sheltering at home. For more information about the notion of “finding God in all things,” check out the following: […]

Why Ignatian Spirituality Speaks to Children

Joe Paprocki

I’m very excited to see the newest revision of Finding God becoming a reality! I was hired by Loyola Press back in 2002 to contribute to the creation of this wonderful faith formation program that is steeped in Ignatian spirituality—something that is near and dear to my heart as someone with 12 years of Jesuit education. Ignatian spirituality resonates with so many people, mainly because St. Ignatius developed his Spiritual Exercises for lay people, while […]

Gratitude in the Life of a Catechist

Kathleen Butler

A few years ago, I visited the town in Ireland where my father’s ancestors lived. The cathedral there was built in the 1950s, so it’s unlikely that any of my relatives were part of its construction. Yet, when I went in, I felt immediately rooted. It was as if I could somehow feel a bunch of church-going Irish-Catholics handing down their faith traditions from generation to generation. I remember feeling overwhelmingly grateful in that moment […]

Counting the Gifts of Ignatian Spirituality

Counting the Gifts: Happy 10th Anniversary IgnatianSpirituality.com!

Joe Paprocki

Spirituality is about our efforts to transcend our own minds and to get into the “mind” of God. And since God’s “mind” is so far beyond our own, no single human effort can fully accomplish this task. Some have done better than others, however, and so we refer to their efforts in relation to their names: Franciscan, Dominican, Pauline, Benedictine, Augustinian, (Don’t be fooled by all those male names—many of these spiritualities have been best […]

The Triduum and Discernment

Bob Burnham

I’m in a period of discernment, not sure where God is calling me. I may discover that the old ways I’ve been doing things are no longer appropriate; in a sense, a part of me may have to die so that I can discover a new way of serving God. In this way, I will be living the Paschal Mystery, which is the whole point of the Triduum. Maybe you too are asking, “Lord, what […]

Where Has God Been in Your Classroom?

Bob Burnham

The midpoint of the faith formation year is the perfect time to reflect on how the faith formation year has gone so far. The following exercises, based on the wisdom of St. Ignatius Loyola, are meant to help you discern where God has been in the classroom and where God might be directing the classroom during the remainder of the year. Begin each exercise by warming-up with a Scripture reading, a prayer, or silence, and […]

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Saint Ignatius

Joe Paprocki

July 31 is the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, and as a Jesuit ministry, Loyola Press invites you to celebrate the life and legacy of the founder of the Society of Jesus. Ignatian Spirituality: An Introduction—Free Poster and Booklet Display the poster in your learning space and pass out copies of the booklet to introduce you and those you serve to the characteristics and insights of Ignatian spirituality, including the Examen, discernment and good decisions, […]