The Examen

The Examen is a form of prayer used in school to help children reflect on their day, recognise God’s presence in their lives, and develop gratitude and self-awareness. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, it was developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola as a way to prayerfully review the day and grow in a closer relationship with God.

In school, The Examen:

1. Encourages Gratitude – Helps children recognise and appreciate the good things in their day.

2. Supports Emotional Regulation – Gives pupils a structured way to reflect on their feelings, promoting well-being.

3. Develops Self-Awareness – Encourages children to notice patterns in their behaviour and relationships.

4. Teaches Stillness and Reflection – Helps pupils become more mindful and attentive to God’s presence.

5. Links Faith to Daily Life – Shows that God is present in both the ordinary and difficult moments of the day.

How we lead the Examen in class

It follows five simple steps:

1. Become aware of God’s presence

   • We invite children to settle quietly and take a few deep breaths.

   • We remind them that God is with them, loving and guiding them.

2. Give thanks

   • We encourage pupils to think of one or two things they are grateful for today.

   • They can thank God silently or write them down.

3. Review the day

   • We ask children to gently think back over their day:

     • What went well? What made them happy?

     • When did they feel close to God?

     • Were there any difficult moments?

4. Reflect and respond

   • If something was hard, how might they have responded differently?

   • Do they need to say sorry to God or someone else?

   • What do they want to ask God for? Strength, patience, kindness?

5. Look ahead

   • We ask the children to think about tomorrow: How can they be their best selves?

   • We end with a short prayer, e.g., "Loving God, thank You for today. Help me to see You in my life tomorrow. Amen."