Seven Weeks for the Soul: Fifth Week of Lent
Welcome to the Fifth Week of Lent. This week’s Lent retreat theme is Our Identity. As we explore this theme, using the text from Seven Weeks for the Soul, may our minds and hearts concentrate on the graces we continue praying to receive this Lent.
When you are ready, start the retreat. The retreat is best viewed in full-screen mode, available by clicking the icon at bottom right. Options for sharing, embedding, and printing this retreat are also available through the bottom row of icons.
Reflect on the week’s theme, “Our Identity.” What is God calling you to this Fifth Week of Lent? Share your reflections below. And come back during the week to engage in conversation with other participants.
24 retreat centers in the United States are affiliated with the Jesuits. All of them offer Ignatian retreats throughout the year. 
The Daily Examen is an excellent practice of Ignatian prayer. It will help you find the presence of God in everyday life.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, my identity is “God who is in me” with those whom we serve with, work with there is no such thing as authority, occupation..
As a volunteer and a friend of L’arche community for many years, I confirm very much that I was truly reaffirmed and blessed to be with the core members. I even never realized how precious ” I am”. Until now this friendship lasts and I would like to say “thank you” for indeed ” blessed are the Poor in Spirit” noting can ever replaced the blessings they give us in our identity. This week I would like to dwell deeper into this reflection in my own journey …
This morning during the homily at Mass, our priest, Fr. Joe, knelt down in front of us and traced on the floor like Jesus must have traced on the ground before the woman accused of adultery. He made it personal for us in saying that everyone has left who has accused me of being worthless, sinful and weak. Jesus will not condemn me and let’s me go “to sin no more”. How freeing, liberating for me, who struggles with being a sinner, not being good enough and not being worth anything. My identity is being a beloved daughter of a loving Father, free to dance, to sing, to love others deeply, to serve Him with my God given heart pounding in my chest, made in His image and to see that image in others no matter what their station in life.
I agree with Louisa above, I would like to dwell deeper in this reflection in my own journey.
I was struck by Donald’s (in the retreat) idea to describe himself as a “unique manifestation of God” instead of telling his job, as so many of us do when we meet someone. Such wisdom! It can be so easy to fall into the trap of identifying ourselves by our careers, but we are called to so much more. Our identity in God gives dignity we should not forget.