Centering Prayer
When God Calls You Deeper, Say YES
Centering Prayer is a personal, daily practice rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition. That tradition began in the very early Church and persisted for centuries, both in monastic communities and the broader Church. Centering Prayer presents ancient Christian wisdom teachings in a contemporary form.
Centering Prayer is based on the wisdom saying of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). It is also inspired by writings of major contributors to the Christian contemplative heritage including John Cassian, the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Francis de Sales, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Therese of Lisieux and Thomas Merton. Fr. Thomas Keating developed the Centering Prayer practice in the mid-1970s, along with Fr. William Meninger and Fr. Basil Pennington, all Trappist Monks.
The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ within us, leading to personal transformation. To move beyond conversation with Christ to communion with him. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer, but to cast a new light and depth of meaning on them. Centering Prayer is a personal, daily practice supported by optional occasional group meetings and events.
Workshop
An Introductory Workshop for all those interested in learning more about the Centering Prayer practice will be held Saturday, June 1 from 10am to 3pm in the O'Grady Community Center.
Lunch and a copy of Thomas Keating’s Open Mind, Open Heart will be provided to all who participate. There is no cost to participate. Registration is not required but is requested.
Weekly 1-hour meetings will be held for six weeks following the Workshop to support you in beginning your personal practice. Participation is encouraged.
Pat Mills, a parishioner here, will facilitate the Workshop and subsequent meetings. He will be available in the narthex after mass to share further information or to answer questions.
