Examen - Discern Guided by Faith
Discern Guided by Faith
LUC students and alumni seek God in all things. Ramblers are self-aware and self-reflective, grounded in hope, discerning their life’s purpose and meaning by attending to their real-life experience. In their decision-making, Ramblers employ practical wisdom.
Narrated by Luke Baumel, BS ‘24
Luke Baumel graduated from Loyola University Chicago in May 2024 with degrees in Cognitive/Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology. He is also a graduate of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. After graduating, Luke took a gap year where he took part in AmeriCorps Generation Teach as well as long term volunteering in Taize and Lourdes, France. During his gap year, he also served as a high school science teacher. Luke is now a first-year medical student in Rochester, Minnesota. While at Loyola University Chicago, Luke was active in CSA and campus ministry serving as a retreat leader and cantor, as well as co-founded the service organization, Heart for the Unhoused Chicago.
Examen Transcript
Welcome to the Engage Loyola Examen Series. Today, we invite you to reflect upon the milestones, memories, and experiences you’ve had at Loyola and to consider where you might be called in the next steps of your journey. A gift of the spiritual practice of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Examen is a structured meditation that encourages self-reflection and intentionality in our living. We hope that these few minutes affirm and bolster your Loyola journey.
After each set of questions I pose, you’ll have a moment of quiet to reflect. Pause the audio at any time if you need more time for your thoughts to develop or if you wish to remain focused on a particular reflection. Wherever you are as you begin the Examen, take a minute to become aware of the space around you and to take a few deep breaths before you start.
Today, we’re reflecting on Discern Guided by Faith.
LUC students and alumni seek God in all things. Ramblers are self-aware and self-reflective, grounded in hope, discerning their life’s purpose and meaning by attending to their real-life experience. In their decision-making, Ramblers employ practical wisdom.
Preparing for the Examen
Everyone prepares for prayer and thus their examen differently so I invite you to prepare in the way that works best for you. A few of my recommendations are slowing down and quieting your mind. Maybe closing your eyes. Putting your phone on do-not disturb and allowing yourself to simply be present. To begin, I will take three long and slow deep breaths that you are welcome to join me on
Breath in, Breath Out
Breath in, Breath Out
Breath in, Breath Out
If you are comfortable, I invite you to close your eyes now as we begin this examen.
Opening Reflection
Think back to the last time that you felt truly present with God (or the higher power that supports and guides you) and with yourself. For me, this is often in nature but for others it may be while sitting in the library deep in thought or staring out over Lake Michigan and saying a short prayer before a presentation or exam. It may be sitting down in the dining hall or for lunch at your favorite restaurant with a friend that you feel truly gets you. Whatever this moment may be, think back to it and try and bring yourself back to this moment.
Looking Further
As you think back to this moment, try and remember these aspects:
Who was there?
What brought this sense of presence to you? Where do you find hope in this moment?
Is this something that always brings you a sense of clarity and purpose or was there something different about this time?
What does this moment tell you about yourself?
What does this moment tell you about your relationship with God?
Practical Discernment
How can you apply this sense of presence and hope to your daily life as a student or alumni of Loyola University Chicago? Is this sense of presence or hope something that can be applied to your daily life or routine?
Does this presence guide you towards any future life aspirations whether it be career, family, faith, friends, or anything else?
If you were to have to describe this moment to God or your best friend in 20 seconds, how would you do so? Imagine yourself doing this now.
Now imagine yourself explaining this moment and what you have learned to a prior version of yourself.
When you have finished this last task feel free to keep listening, but allow yourself ample time to think and pray on this.
Look Forward
As you prepare to step into tomorrow, remember that discernment begins not with perfect clarity, but with trust. You do not walk this path alone — God walks with you, guiding you through hope, challenge, and choice.
1) Invite God into tomorrow.
Pause to imagine tomorrow’s day. Where might God already be waiting for you — in conversations, studies, friendships, or quiet moments?
2) Listen for where faith leads.
Notice what stirs in you as you think of tomorrow: excitement, fear, hope, uncertainty. Bring these before God. Ask: How is my faith guiding me in the midst of these feelings?
3) See your life as a journey.
Remember that each step, whether certain or uncertain, is part of a larger story God is unfolding in you. Where do you sense you are being invited to grow, to trust, to love?
4) Name one next faithful step.
Discernment is less about having the full map and more about taking the next step with courage. What is one step you can take tomorrow that is guided by faith?
Closing Prayer
“God of the journey, give me faith to walk into tomorrow with openness. Teach me to trust Your presence in each decision and each relationship. May my choices, though small, be guided by Your wisdom and rooted in Your love.”
Thank you for spending time with this Engage Loyola reflection. Return to this Examen anytime you want to reflect on this part of your Loyola journey. Or, try another of the Engage Loyola Examens available where you found this reflection.
Discern Guided by Faith
LUC students and alumni seek God in all things. Ramblers are self-aware and self-reflective, grounded in hope, discerning their life’s purpose and meaning by attending to their real-life experience. In their decision-making, Ramblers employ practical wisdom.
Narrated by Luke Baumel, BS ‘24
Luke Baumel graduated from Loyola University Chicago in May 2024 with degrees in Cognitive/Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology. He is also a graduate of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program. After graduating, Luke took a gap year where he took part in AmeriCorps Generation Teach as well as long term volunteering in Taize and Lourdes, France. During his gap year, he also served as a high school science teacher. Luke is now a first-year medical student in Rochester, Minnesota. While at Loyola University Chicago, Luke was active in CSA and campus ministry serving as a retreat leader and cantor, as well as co-founded the service organization, Heart for the Unhoused Chicago.
Examen Transcript
Welcome to the Engage Loyola Examen Series. Today, we invite you to reflect upon the milestones, memories, and experiences you’ve had at Loyola and to consider where you might be called in the next steps of your journey. A gift of the spiritual practice of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Examen is a structured meditation that encourages self-reflection and intentionality in our living. We hope that these few minutes affirm and bolster your Loyola journey.
After each set of questions I pose, you’ll have a moment of quiet to reflect. Pause the audio at any time if you need more time for your thoughts to develop or if you wish to remain focused on a particular reflection. Wherever you are as you begin the Examen, take a minute to become aware of the space around you and to take a few deep breaths before you start.
Today, we’re reflecting on Discern Guided by Faith.
LUC students and alumni seek God in all things. Ramblers are self-aware and self-reflective, grounded in hope, discerning their life’s purpose and meaning by attending to their real-life experience. In their decision-making, Ramblers employ practical wisdom.
Preparing for the Examen
Everyone prepares for prayer and thus their examen differently so I invite you to prepare in the way that works best for you. A few of my recommendations are slowing down and quieting your mind. Maybe closing your eyes. Putting your phone on do-not disturb and allowing yourself to simply be present. To begin, I will take three long and slow deep breaths that you are welcome to join me on
Breath in, Breath Out
Breath in, Breath Out
Breath in, Breath Out
If you are comfortable, I invite you to close your eyes now as we begin this examen.
Opening Reflection
Think back to the last time that you felt truly present with God (or the higher power that supports and guides you) and with yourself. For me, this is often in nature but for others it may be while sitting in the library deep in thought or staring out over Lake Michigan and saying a short prayer before a presentation or exam. It may be sitting down in the dining hall or for lunch at your favorite restaurant with a friend that you feel truly gets you. Whatever this moment may be, think back to it and try and bring yourself back to this moment.
Looking Further
As you think back to this moment, try and remember these aspects:
Who was there?
What brought this sense of presence to you? Where do you find hope in this moment?
Is this something that always brings you a sense of clarity and purpose or was there something different about this time?
What does this moment tell you about yourself?
What does this moment tell you about your relationship with God?
Practical Discernment
How can you apply this sense of presence and hope to your daily life as a student or alumni of Loyola University Chicago? Is this sense of presence or hope something that can be applied to your daily life or routine?
Does this presence guide you towards any future life aspirations whether it be career, family, faith, friends, or anything else?
If you were to have to describe this moment to God or your best friend in 20 seconds, how would you do so? Imagine yourself doing this now.
Now imagine yourself explaining this moment and what you have learned to a prior version of yourself.
When you have finished this last task feel free to keep listening, but allow yourself ample time to think and pray on this.
Look Forward
As you prepare to step into tomorrow, remember that discernment begins not with perfect clarity, but with trust. You do not walk this path alone — God walks with you, guiding you through hope, challenge, and choice.
1) Invite God into tomorrow.
Pause to imagine tomorrow’s day. Where might God already be waiting for you — in conversations, studies, friendships, or quiet moments?
2) Listen for where faith leads.
Notice what stirs in you as you think of tomorrow: excitement, fear, hope, uncertainty. Bring these before God. Ask: How is my faith guiding me in the midst of these feelings?
3) See your life as a journey.
Remember that each step, whether certain or uncertain, is part of a larger story God is unfolding in you. Where do you sense you are being invited to grow, to trust, to love?
4) Name one next faithful step.
Discernment is less about having the full map and more about taking the next step with courage. What is one step you can take tomorrow that is guided by faith?
Closing Prayer
“God of the journey, give me faith to walk into tomorrow with openness. Teach me to trust Your presence in each decision and each relationship. May my choices, though small, be guided by Your wisdom and rooted in Your love.”
Thank you for spending time with this Engage Loyola reflection. Return to this Examen anytime you want to reflect on this part of your Loyola journey. Or, try another of the Engage Loyola Examens available where you found this reflection.