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jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
The Jesuit Institute
@jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
95 followers 130 following 630 posts
Based in the UK, we accompany, resource and inspire people and organisations to deepen their relationship with God in daily life.

A work of the Jesuits in Britain CIO | England and Wales 1207742 Scotland SC053495

https://www.jesuitinstitute.org/
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jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
In the Gospel this Sunday, we hear Isaiah’s prophecy from the First Reading. It is through Joseph’s trust in God, and his obedience, that God’s plan is fulfilled with the birth of Jesus, Son of Mary, Son of God.
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‘She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ Matthew 1: 21 Image of a statue of St Joseph holding a staff.
December 19, 2025 at 5:14 PM
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Send victory like a dew, you heavens, and let the clouds rain it down. Let the earth open for salvation to spring up.
- Isaiah 45: 8
Send victory like a dew, you heavens, and let the clouds rain it down. Let the earth open for salvation to spring up. Isaiah 45: 8 Image: raindrops / dew drops on a green leaf.
December 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM
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In this Advent season, let us prepare our hearts not only to recognize the ways that God comes to meet us, but also the ways in which He asks us to participate in His life.
- Pope Leo XIV
In this Advent season, let us prepare our hearts not only to recognize the ways that God comes to meet us, but also the ways in which He asks us to participate in His life. - Pope Leo XIV Image: 3 candles on a windowsill.
December 18, 2025 at 7:01 AM
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Advent, a time of waiting, of patience, is drawing to a close, and the readings reveal our excitement. The time to welcome our Saviour is drawing near.
Prepare for the Fourth Sunday of Advent:
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‘She will bear a son and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ Matthew 1: 21 Image of a statue of St Joseph holding a staff.
December 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
In order that faith and hope may attain their full fruit, there is need of patience.
- St Cyprian of Carthage
Text: In order that faith and hope may attain their full fruit, there is need of patience. - St Cyprian of Carthage Image: a box on a pedestrian crossing which says 'WAIT'
December 17, 2025 at 7:00 AM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
If you love to write, you might find writing an important way to deepen your prayer life, in which case our online retreat day on the gift of journaling may be just up your street!
Join us in January:
www.jesuitinstitute.org/events/pray-...
Image: a pen resting on a notebook. Text: The Gift of Journaling: An Online Retreat Day. Saturday 10th January 2026. 10 am - 4.15 pm
December 16, 2025 at 11:47 AM
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Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.
- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ
Image of lights on a Christmas tree. Text: Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ
December 16, 2025 at 7:00 AM
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There are still places available on our next Online Individually Guided Retreat which takes place in just over a month's time.
Take some time out of your daily schedule to reflect and pray as we start a brand new year!
Book now:
www.jesuitinstitute.org/events/onlin...
Image of a bible and a cup of tea/coffee on a windowsill. Text: Online Individually Guided Retreat for New Year. 18th - 22nd January 2026.
December 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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How blessed, how marvellous, are the gifts of God, my friends!
- St Clement of Rome
Image of two people walking along a city street at sunset. Text: How blessed, how marvellous, are the gifts of God, my friends! - St Clement of Rome
December 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
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Through the Gospel Jesus is asking me to see and hear the signs. What signs is he giving me and how open am I to receiving them? How am I being blessed by him?
Pray with today's readings for Gaudete Sunday:
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Image: people walking down a street at sunset. Text: ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.’ Matthew 11: 4-5
December 14, 2025 at 8:27 AM
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The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.
- Isaiah 35: 1
Text: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. - Isaiah 35: 1 Image: a purple flower growing in a wilderness
December 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
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The sun we see every day is followed by the darkness of night, but the Sun of righteousness never sets.
- St Ambrose of Milan
The sun we see every day is followed by the darkness of night, but the Sun of righteousness never sets. St Ambrose of Milan Image: sunrise on the other side of a lake with a tree in the foreground.
December 13, 2025 at 7:00 AM
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In the Second Reading, St James calls us to be ready for this arrival. The Lord is near, but to perceive the signs of his coming requires from us both patience and openness of eyes and ears.
Pray with the Sunday readings:
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Image: people walking down a street at sunset. Text: ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.’ Matthew 11: 4-5
December 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
Are you looking for a way to strengthen your practice of prayer? Or perhaps you already journal, but are keen to have an opportunity to deepen this practice?
Book now for our online retreat day on the Gift of Journaling:
www.jesuitinstitute.org/events/pray-...
Image: a notebook with writing in and a pen. Text: The Gift of Journaling. An Online Retreat Day. Saturday 10th January 2026. 10am - 4.15pm
December 12, 2025 at 11:52 AM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand for ever.
- Isaiah 40: 8
Image of a leatherbound bible with light shining on it and a cross embossed on the cover. Text: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand for ever. Isaiah 40: 8 - Isaiah 40: 8
December 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
If you're looking for some Advent reading, look no further than Thinking Faith where you can find articles on many different aspects of the season, such as this reflection by Rob Marsh SJ on the gospel for this Sunday.
www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/are...
a person silhouetted next to a window with metal bars
December 11, 2025 at 2:23 PM
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I believe in the eternity of God who has entered into our time, my time.
- Karl Rahner SJ
I believe in the eternity of God who has entered into our time, my time. Karl Rahner SJ Image of a church at night with the Milky Way behind it.
December 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
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The readings of this Gaudete (‘rejoice’) Sunday are full of hopeful joy in anticipation of Christ’s arrival.
Prepare for Sunday by using the reflections on the Sunday readings by St Beuno's Outreach:
buff.ly/uTqGwkM
Image: people walking down a street at sunset. Text: ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.’ Matthew 11: 4-5
December 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
New Year, New You? Maybe spending more time on prayer is on your 'to do' list but you'd like a little help in getting started. An Online Individually Guided Retreat might help.
Find out more and book:
www.jesuitinstitute.org/events/onlin...
Image of a cup of tea or coffee and an open bible on a window sill. Text: Online Individually Guided Retreat for New Year. 18th - 22nd January 2026.
December 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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It is God’s will that we see him and search for him; it is his will that we wait for him and trust him.
- Julian of Norwich
It is God’s will that we see him and search for him; it is his will that we wait for him and trust him. Julian of Norwich Image of a woman sitting in a wood in contemplation.
December 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
St Ignatius of Loyola recommended a prayer of review called the Examen, which helps us live a life closer to God and live as our best selves. This prayer is based on the same idea but centres on the theme of gift-giving.
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presents wrapped in brown paper and a red ribbon.
December 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
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The lead up to Christmas can be very busy, and maybe it is hard to find time to pray. Try this:
Image of a busy station at rush hour. Text: Too busy to pray? Just remember... Be with me Use me Speak tome and say You love me
December 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
The “yes” of the Mother of the Lord is wonderful, but so also can ours be, renewed faithfully each day, with gratitude, humility and perseverance, in prayer and in concrete acts of love.
- Pope Leo XIV
A young woman stands on a path looking contemplatively into the distance. Text: The “yes” of the Mother of the Lord is wonderful, but so also can ours be, renewed faithfully each day, with gratitude, humility and perseverance, in prayer and in concrete acts of love. Pope Leo XIV
December 9, 2025 at 7:00 AM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
Are you looking for an opportunity to spend more time with God and listen to how God as at work in your life? We have places available on our Online Individually Guided Retreat for New Year.
Read more and book:
www.jesuitinstitute.org/events/onlin...
Online Individually Guided Retreat for New Year. 18th - 22nd January 2026. Image: a bible open on a table next to a window, with a cup of tea/coffee next to it.
December 8, 2025 at 10:09 AM
jesuitinstitute.bsky.social
‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’
- Luke 1: 28

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What opportunies to say 'yes' to the Lord do you have in your life?
A mosaic of Our Lady wearing a blue veil/cloak covered in stars as in the Marian apparition at Guadalupe. Text: 'Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!' Luke 1: 28
December 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM