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Centering Prayer at St. Mary'sCentering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.
The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.
Centering Prayer is drawn from ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative heritage, notably the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert, Lectio Divina (praying the scriptures), The Cloud of Unknowing, and the writings of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of AvilaWhen you want to 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 6:6Join Us for Centering Prayer -- all are welcome, no matter whether you are experienced or non-experienced in the practice
Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Conference Room
Thursdays 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in the Church
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Contact: Michael Lomas Director of Faith Formation, at [email protected]or (408) 354-3726 x123. for more information.