December 10th dawned quietly, with the kind of stillness that made the chill in the air more profound. Maria woke early, as she had been doing every exam day, and spent the first half-hour in prayer. The subject for the day was Spiritual Formation, a deeply introspective and personal topic that she both anticipated and feared. With topics like deepening prayer life, meditation, and the role of silence and solitude, the paper demanded not only theological knowledge but also an understanding of spiritual experiences.
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Morning Preparation
Maria and Catherine met in the small common room near the chapel after breakfast. Catherine carried her notes while Maria clutched her rosary and a copy of The Imitation of Christ.
Catherine:
"This paper is going to be tough. It's not just about facts but about how well we understand and express our spiritual insights."
Maria:
"I know. I revised the role of silence and solitude last night. Did you go through discernment practices?"
Catherine:
"Yes, but I kept confusing spiritual direction with meditation practices. I hope the questions don't ask us to compare them."
Maria:
"Let's quickly go over them now."
The two spent the next half-hour quizzing each other. Catherine's calm demeanor helped Maria feel more grounded, and by the time the bell rang for the exam, they both felt as prepared as they could be.
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The Exam
The examination hall was unusually quiet, even for an exam day. Perhaps it was the nature of the subject that made everyone more reflective.
Sister Jennifer stood at the front of the room, her serene presence adding to the tranquil atmosphere.
Sister Jennifer:
"Good morning, ladies. Today's paper is on Spiritual Formation. You have three hours to complete all sections. Please approach the paper with sincerity and depth, as this subject requires not just knowledge but reflection. May God guide your thoughts."
The students opened their papers, and Maria felt her heartbeat quicken. The questions were thought-provoking and required careful articulation.
Section A: Deepening Prayer Life
The first question asked, "Describe the significance of prayer in spiritual growth, and explain how it transforms one's relationship with God." Maria began writing, drawing from her notes and personal reflections. She wrote about prayer as a dialogue with God, quoting Matthew 6:6, and discussed how consistent prayer fosters humility and trust.
Section B: Meditation and Contemplation Practices
One of the essay questions was, "Compare and contrast meditation and contemplation in the context of Christian spiritual practices." Maria structured her response carefully, explaining meditation as an active practice involving scripture or holy texts, while contemplation was a passive, wordless resting in God's presence.
Section C: The Role of Silence and Solitude
This section included a question about "How silence and solitude contribute to spiritual growth." Maria felt confident here, as she had studied this thoroughly. She discussed how Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16) and how silence helps one hear the still, small voice of God.
Section D: Discernment and Spiritual Direction
The final section included a case study requiring students to apply discernment principles. Maria outlined steps like seeking scripture, prayer, and guidance from a spiritual director, referencing St. Ignatius of Loyola's teachings on discernment.
By the time the bell rang, Maria had just finished reviewing her paper. Unlike the previous exams, this one felt more personal, almost like a spiritual exercise rather than an academic test.
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After the Exam
Maria left the hall and waited for Catherine by the fountain in the courtyard. The cold wind nipped at her face, but she didn't mind. Catherine emerged a few minutes later, looking both exhausted and relieved.
Catherine:
"That was... intense. I don't think I've ever written so much in an exam."
Maria:
"Me neither. What did you think of the question on meditation versus contemplation?"
Catherine:
"I struggled a bit with that. I think I spent too much time explaining meditation and not enough on contemplation. What about you?"
Maria:
"I think I balanced them, but I'm not sure if my examples were strong enough."
The two made their way to the cafeteria, where the usual post-exam crowd was already gathering.
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At the Cafeteria
Maria and Catherine found a quiet corner and ordered two cups of hot cocoa.
Catherine:
"Alright, let's debrief. What did you think of the first question on prayer life?"
Maria:
"It was straightforward, but I worried I was repeating myself too much. I focused on how prayer deepens our trust in God."
Catherine:
"That's good. I included a personal reflection about how prayer helped me during a tough time last year. Do you think that's allowed?"
Maria:
"Definitely. Sister Jennifer said we could include personal insights."
Catherine:
"What about the case study on discernment? I wasn't sure how detailed to get."
Maria:
"I followed the steps we learned from St. Ignatius—scripture, prayer, and spiritual guidance. Hopefully, that's enough."
The two continued discussing the paper until the cafeteria began to empty.
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Reflection
That night, as Maria sat in her room reviewing notes for the next paper, she couldn't help but reflect on how much she had grown spiritually over the past few weeks. The subject of Spiritual Formation had challenged her to look inward and deepen her connection with God.
She opened her laptop and sent an email to Ayesha.
Maria's Email:
"Today's paper was on Spiritual Formation. It was difficult but also rewarding. I felt like I was learning more about myself as I wrote. Thank you for encouraging me to seek God in all things. Please pray for me as I prepare for the next exam."
Within minutes, Ayesha replied.
Ayesha's Reply:
"I'm so proud of you, Maria. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity to grow closer to God. Keep pushing forward, and know that my prayers are always with you."
Maria smiled, feeling a renewed sense of determination. As she closed her laptop and picked up her notes, she whispered a prayer of gratitude for the journey she was on.