Helping to find God in all things

The team at De La Salle Retreat Centre in Belfast started the new year with the year 13 boys at De La Salle College, Belfast.

As part of their ‘Life-Skills’ classes, students were introduced to our new programme:  The Ignatian Daily Examen, a three- week programme delivered in their own classroom. This programme creates an opportunity for the students to explore their relationship with God, with others, themselves and nature, through reflecting on daily life and learning to recognise God in all things.

The boys had the chance to engage in discussion and discover the importance of self-reflection by practising the five steps of The Examen through meditation. They explored the idea that God can be found in all things including nature, the kindness of others and themselves.

The boys expressed great enthusiasm and felt that the new life-skills of meditation and self-reflection were important tools for the Christian life. This programme not only gave the students the opportunity to grow closer in a personal relationship with God, but also helped them achieve a more balanced life, state of calm, inner peace and a spirit of gratitude.

The new programme was a success, with positive feedback. We are excited to roll it out to other young people preparing for adult life. “With God with us, who can be against us” Romans 8:31.

Students comments on their experience:

·          I wasn’t really meditating, now I will.

·         Bringing God into my day.

·         Explore my inner self and open to a new view.

·         Helped me be more open to people and allow me to enjoy my inner self.

·         I have not changed my mind, but I have learnt some useful skills.

·         It taught me how to pray in another way while getting closer to God.