Preface Jesuit priest Bernard Lonergan famously described the breakthrough of human cognition as "The reoccurring and cumulative processes of experiencing, understanding and judging." As we go about our day, we analyze and formulate ideas based upon the shared experiences we come across. Gathering knowledge, our minds subconsciously question the actions we routinely go about. From these questions, we learn about the truths and, in return, we look ahead to what is in store for us. This method of thinking belongs to Bernard Lonergan, who challenges us to explore the depths of ourselves and discover "A fuller self of which we are aware and the awareness itself is different." In this paper, I am participating in the Lonergan method, in hopes …show more content…
Fast forward to my senior year, I was very agitated. All of my friends had gone on Kairos, and I was left out of the brotherhood that included metallic crosses and unexpected changes in attitude. Despite getting denied on two previous Kairos trips, I was finally able to attend the January trip. My hopes were high, but I made sure that I did not set the bar too high, for I did not wish to feel let down if it did not equate to this "life-changing" experience. Going into the SAC after 6th period on Tuesday, I had not talked to a single person there beyond the typical "hey how are you" in the hallway. I felt alone; I did not feel excited to make the journey up to Manresa. In all honesty, I wanted to escape the room and settle for not making the trip. However, I had made a commitment to the school and to my teachers, so I stuck with it. And let me tell you, that was the best decision I had made in a long …show more content…
Waking up at 8am to eat breakfast, I sat next to the people who were sleeping in my room. I was not ready for the emotional roller coaster that is day two. Once the teachers began reading our parents ' letters, I became very anxious, because I was worried about whether or not my parents letter would be as special as the other people 's. When it came to my turn, I listened to Mrs. Dunnion read out loud my mom 's loving letter. To make matters even more shocking, I received a package composed of cookies that came from my friends, family members, and people I had not spoken to since freshman year. I began crying tears of happiness. How can so many people love me, even when I have not expressed the love like them? All of these emotions began rushing into my heart, and I was filled with shock