First Spiritual Exercises (FSE)

Opening the Heart

Let us join together in the prayer of Opening the Heart.

We pray that we keep opening our hearts to refugees around the world, especially those in Ukraine. We pray that our Jesuit partners continue to bring hope, opportunity and a means for these refugees to get back on their feet.

Independence

Let us join together in the prayer of Independence.

We pray for all people living with a disability around the world, may they receive support and care to allow them to become independent.

We also pray for our project partner in Cambodia KBO, may they continue to bring light and hope to families faced with the challenges of caring for a loved one with an intellectual disability or autism.

Seeking Healing

We pray for all the victims of the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey. May those who lost their homes and their loved ones find peace and healing in this difficult time.

We pray that our Jesuit partners who are providing emergency assistance can empower vulnerable communities and help them to get back on their feet.

Clearing Airways

Let us join together in the prayer of Clearing Airways.

We pray for the Dalit children in Hazaribag. May the spirit clear the airways and remove any barriers, allowing them to live a fulfilled life with access to immense opportunity.

Threatened Humanity

Let us join together in the prayer of Threatened Humanity.

We pray for peace in Myanmar and the end of all forms of violence against innocent civilians there. We remember the Jesuits and lay people who are providing emergency support on the frontlines in Myanmar, that they may continue to strengthen and uplift people in desperate need.

Repairing Respect

Let us join together in the prayer of Repairing Respect.

We pray that students like Aditi can grow up in an environment where their indigenous rights are recognised and respected. We pray that the Nagesia tribal people in India are treated fairly and given equal opportunity in life.  

Ever Inclusive

Let us join together in the prayer to be Ever Inclusive.

In the spirit of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on 25 September, we pray that refugees and migrants around the world receive the support they need and are welcomed with open arms. We pray that with God’s grace we will continue to reach out to those who are outcasted.

Ensuring Equality

Let us join together in the prayer of Ensuring Equality.

We pray for the indigenous students at XLC in Thailand, may their education and Ignatian formation continue to provide new opportunities and empower them to become leaders that build equality for all disadvantaged communities.

Radical Transformation

Let us join together in the prayer of Radical Transformation.

With the installation of new water facilities in rural villages in Timor-Leste, we pray that the communities experience the joy of radical transformation, as more opportunity and greater healthcare uplifts the lives of families in need.

Greater Hope

Let us join together in the prayer of Greater Hope.

As we continue to walk in solidarity with vulnerable communities living on the margins, we pray for the people we serve. May they experience a greater sense of hope to uplift themselves out of poverty and injustice.

Welcome

Let us join together in the prayer of Welcome.

We pray that those fleeing the crisis in Ukraine are welcomed at the borders with food, shelter, hope and opportunity. May they find compassion and support in their journey forward. We also pray that we keep our own hearts open to welcome those who are experiencing immense hardship and fear.

Renewing Inspiration

Let us join together in the prayer of Renewing Inspiration.

We pray for the scholarship students in Timor-Leste, may they experience a renewed sense of inspiration in their tertiary education and look towards a brighter future for themselves and their families. We also pray that we too can find renewed inspiration in our own lives.

Finding Light

Let us join together in the prayer of Finding Light.

We pray that our sisters and brothers in Ukraine can find hope in these troubled times and ask God to comfort them.

We also pray for our Jesuit partners overseas, who are implementing the emergency response to support those most affected by the war in Ukraine.

Companionship

Let us join together in the prayer of Companionship.

May they experience love and companionship now that they have returned to their families. We pray that we too can be a companion to someone in need.  

Emergency Strength

Let us join together in the prayer of Emergency Strength.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life around the world, bringing hardship and loss to many vulnerable communities.

We pray that all healthcare workers like Georgina in Railaco, and those she serves, can all find emergency strength to support one another out of these challenging times.

Good Dreams

Let us join together in the prayer of Good Dreams.

Like the opportunity for a hope-filled future for students and recent graduates at Xavier Learning Community in Chiang Rai, Thailand, we too pray for the renewal of inspiration in our own life and dream of a future full of new opportunities.

Restoring Consolation

Let us join together in the prayer of Restoring Consolation.

We have all seen the terrible situations unfolding in Afghanistan and Haiti. We stand in solidarity with the people of both these nations and invite you all to join in the prayer of restoring consolation. May God comfort those who need it.

Ignatian Year

Beginning on 20 May, the Ignatian Year celebrates the 500th anniversary of St Ignatius’ wound at Pamplona and his subsequent conversion to commit himself to God’s work. This transformational period resulted in the founding of the Society of Jesus and the Spiritual Exercises.

Ignatius said three things that are fundamental to how Jesuit Mission works today:

• Go where others will not…
• Go where you can do the greatest good…
• Go to the margins of society…

Boosting Gratitude

Let us join together in the Prayer of Boosting Gratitude.

Like the immense gratitude experienced by the graduating students at MLI, who have chosen to prioritise their future in one of the darkest times for Myanmar, we pray that we can also shine a light on our own difficult experiences and rise above them. 

Improving Freedom

Let us join together in the prayer of Improving Freedom.

Like many of the refugees in Malawi, who have fled violence in their own country and are now experiencing life-changing education and employment opportunities through the Digital Inclusion Program, we too pray that we can experience a greater sense of freedom.  

Service

Let us join together in prayer for service.

Like the sisters who helped set up a vital healthcare clinic to serve rural communities in Timor-Leste, we pray that we can also put the needs of others before our own.

“For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).

Critical Courage

Like our vulnerable brothers and sisters living with a disability in Cambodia, who demonstrate enormous levels of courage to overcome the impossible, we too pray for courage to meet the many challenges that confront us and look for God to find a way.

Hearty Laughter

For the Christmas edition of The Spiritual Exercises, we join together in prayer for hearty laughter. Just like how the reopening of Xavier Jesuit School brought immense happiness to students from vulnerable families, we pray that we can also experience child-like laughter during this joyful season and share it with those dear to us. 

Spirit of Joy

St Gianna Molla once said, “The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day”. So, in joining our prayer of Spirit of Joy, we hope you will be able to find happiness and give thanks for all we have today.

Loss of Livelihood

We pray for all those suffering from the loss of their livelihoods to give them strength. We also remember our brothers and sisters we serve overseas who are experiencing severe poverty and hunger due to loss of their day-to-day work.

Please join Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission and Trung Nguyen, Rector of Jesuit Mission, in our prayer of Loss of Livelihood.

Accepting Comfort

On this St Ignatius’ Feast Day, we invite you to meditate with us on the Prayer of Accepting Comfort. For St Ignatius, one of the most important graces he prayed for was the grace of consolation, which is closely linked to comfort. Also, during this difficult time of the global pandemic, we ask for God’s grace to bring comfort to all those suffering from the effect of COVID-19.

Gift of Awakening Hope

Fr EJ Gerilla SJ joins Jesuit Mission Rector, Fr Trung Nguyen SJ to lead us through the prayer. Fr EJ is the former Treasurer of the Jesuit Region in Timor-Leste. He’s currently in Australia for his tertianship, which is the final stage of Jesuit formation.

Gift of Greater Love

We wholeheartedly pray that our lives and hearts are filled with love to continue to fight through the challenges we face. 

In this spirit of love, please join us in the Prayer of Greater Love. We hope through this prayer, we can let the Holy Spirit guide us to greater love and savour that precious moment. 

Gift of Intimacy

This week, we have a very special guest, Fr Aik Maung SJ, joining Fr Trung in guiding us through the prayer. Fr Aik is from Myanmar and is currently in Australia for his tertianship, which is the final stage of formation in the Society of Jesus.

Gift of Generosity

We are delighted to welcome Anna O’Halloran, the Chair of the Maytime Fair Committee who will join Jesuit Mission’s Rector, Fr Trung Nguyen SJ in guiding us through the prayer. We hope you enjoy this quiet time reflecting what generosity means for you.

Gift of Friends

We know that in friendships and in solidarity, we are going to get through this difficult time and triumph with many blessings.

We would like to invite you to take a moment to remember all your friends and pray us on the Gift of Carried by Friends. We hope that it will fill your heart with love and warmth.

Gift of Protection

We hope that through the prayer of Protection, you will find comfort and strength in knowing that you are safe in God’s warm embrace. And, let us also remember those people who are in most vulnerable situations and in need of protection.

Gift of Patience

On Good Friday, we launched our First Spiritual Exercises with Gift of Patience as the theme of the prayer, as we patiently wait to return to our normal lives. You can pray this in solitude by following the recorded prayer.