Sacred Story, Modern Myth: Praying with Pop Culture

Discover a faith alive in every story—where God speaks not just in quiet prayers, but through the media that moves us. This program invites participants to experience God’s presence not only in their personal journeys but also in the stories that animate our culture—movies, songs, books, and comics—echoing the invitation of St. Ignatius of Loyola to “find God in all things.” Building on our natural impulse to share powerful stories with friends and strangers alike, we examine how that desire might reflect something sacred—an invitation from God to recognize the divine within everyday narratives.

Central to the experience are four key Ignatian principles:

• Sensing God’s presence in the everyday details of our lives
• Embracing the imagination to dream larger during prayer as Ignatius did in his recovery
• Entering stories as part of contemplative prayer
• Trusting that God deals directly with each of us and remains active in our stories.

Our journey will relay on the structure of the four weeks of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and borrow from Joseph Campbell’s mythic framework. We begin by look at the status quo in our lives and recognizing its limitations; we then answer the call to a transformative adventure; pass through darkness and struggle; and finally, return to community, transformed and ready to serve.

Participants will have time to reflect at each stage through personal prayer, small and large group conversations, and Mass. The approach includes “praying with pop culture” by watching short films, reflecting on guided meditations, and sharing personal insights—finding God’s story woven into both their lives and the stories the world tells.