Prayer comes in many forms and one of the most interesting concepts gaining a following among Catholics these days is called “Centering Prayer,” a method of silent communication that leads the devoted to experience God’s presence within their consciousness through a form of meditation.
Placing an intense emphasis on interior silence, the concept of Centering Prayer can be traced to a series of books written by the Trappist monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts in the 1970s and is a renewal of an ancient Christian contemplative practice updated for modern times.
To introduce area residents to this unique devotional method, St. Martha Church in Kennebunk is going to host an introductory workshop about Centering Prayer from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.
The workshop will be led by the Rev. D. Joseph Manship, who has served as a diocesan priest for more than 41 years in Maine.
Manship earned a masters degree in pastoral counseling and in theology and works as a depth psychologist in Biddeford. He has been trained and certified as a Centering Prayer Presenter by Contemplative Outreach Ltd.
According to Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk who designed this form of prayer, the concept of Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer.
Instead, he said it is intended to add depth of meaning to all forms of prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayerm, be it verbal, mental, or affective prayer, into a receptive prayer of resting in God.
Keating says Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as “a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with him.”
Pre-registration to attend the workshop is $25 and $30 at the door on the day of the event.
The workshop spans four discussions including Prayer as a Relationship. the Method of Centering Prayer, “Thoughts” in Centering Prayer, and the fruits of Centering Prayer.
Lunch and light refreshments will be provided for participants. St. Martha Church is at 30 Portalnd Road in Kennebunk.
To register online, go to https://cpholyspirit.wixsite.com/mysite
For more information about the workshop, send an email to cpholyspirit@gmail.com or call 985-6252.
— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.
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