Advent Silent Retreat
December 10, 2011
Schedule & Information
**This information will also be provided to you on the day of the retreat.**
8:30 a.m. (Optional) Brief instruction on Centering Prayer
8:30 – 9:00 Check-in & light refreshments (coffee and danish)
9:00 – 9:20 Introductions, Opening Prayer, Guidelines for Silent Retreat
9:20 – 9:40 1st Prayer Period (20 minutes), begins with a reading from the Psalms
**Instructions on Centering Prayer are below**
9:40 - 9:45 Sacred Walk
9:45 - 10:05 2nd Prayer Period (20 minutes)
10:05 - 10:20 Break (15 minutes)
10:20 - 10:40 Lectio Divina (Holy Reading of Scripture)
**Information is below and a brief explanation will be offered before we begin.**
10:40 - 11:50 Open Period for Personal Reflection (remain in silence
You are welcome to spend personal reflection time anywhere on the church grounds. We also have these prayer tools available to you: a labyrinth, with instructions, in the parish hall (it takes 30-40 minutes to walk the labyrinth and you'll walk it without shoes); an icon of Mary the Mother of Jesus and an icon of the angel Gabriel with information on praying with icons; a table to write and pray intercessions will be in the parlor which is adjacent to the parish hall.
12:00 - 12:25 3rd Prayer Period, closing with a group reading from Luke
12:30 Lunch begins (talking lunch)
Prayer Periods
During the silent retreat, prayer periods will be 20 minutes in length to accommodate those who practice Centering Prayer. If you do not practice Centering Prayer, we invite you to try it during this retreat. Instructions are in the next paragraph. Or you may wish to simply sit quietly with our Lord during the prayer period.
Centering Prayer
You are welcome to come at 8:30 a.m. for a brief instruction on Centering Prayer. In addition, this prayer method is described here. Centering Prayer is a form of silent prayer that prepares us to experience God’s presence within us, closer than our breath and our thoughts. Centering Prayer is an ancient form of prayer that adds depth of meaning to all other prayer forms.
Guidelines
(1) Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. Use a short word such as God, Jesus, Abba, Father, Mother, Mary, Amen, Love, Listen, Peace, Mercy, Let Go, Silence, Stillness, Faith, Trust.
(2) Sitting comfortably, with your eyes closed, silently introduce your sacred word as a symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within you during this prayer period. Release your sacred word and sit in silence, without thoughts, for the prayer period.
(3) If you become aware of thoughts during the prayer period, ever-so-gently return to your sacred word.
(4) At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes. This enables us to bring the atmosphere of silence into daily life.
A more detailed description of these guidelines is available at the Contemplative Outreach website
Lectio Divina
We will also practice Lectio Divina (Holy Reading of Scripture) during the Retreat. Lectio Divina is an ancient practice from the Christian contemplative heritage. It was made a regular practice in monasteries by the time of St. Benedict in the 6th century. Although there are several forms of Lectio Divina, we will be using these Guidelines at the Retreat.
Guidelines
(1) Read: A passage of Scripture will be read slowly, twice. Listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you. After the readings, there will be 1-2 minutes of silence. During the silence, repeat the word or phrase slowly, in silence, to yourself. You are allowing the word or phrase to penetrate deeply into you.
(2) Reflect: The passage of Scripture will be read again. As you hear the Scripture, and for the 2 minutes of silence that follow, reflect on the word or phrase that you heard originally. Reflect on how this word or phrase might have meaning for your life? What do you sense God giving to you through this word or phrase? What touches you in this word, phrase or passage of Scripture?
(3) Respond: The passage of Scripture will be read again and two minutes of silence will follow. Continue to meditate on your word/phrase. A prayer of praise, thanksgiving or petition may arise within you – offer this in silent prayer to God. Or you may wish to continue repeating the word or phrase silently to yourself.
(4) Rest in God: The passage of Scripture will be read of final time and two minutes of silence will follow. Simply be with God’s presence as you open yourself to an even deeper hearing of the Word of God. The facilitator may then ask if anyone would like to share a word, phrase or reflection – either to affirm it for themselves or as a gift to the group. Sharing is optional.
More information on the history and method of Lectio Divina is available at the Contemplative Outreach website.
8:30 a.m. (Optional) Brief instruction on Centering Prayer
8:30 – 9:00 Check-in & light refreshments (coffee and danish)
9:00 – 9:20 Introductions, Opening Prayer, Guidelines for Silent Retreat
9:20 – 9:40 1st Prayer Period (20 minutes), begins with a reading from the Psalms
**Instructions on Centering Prayer are below**
9:40 - 9:45 Sacred Walk
9:45 - 10:05 2nd Prayer Period (20 minutes)
10:05 - 10:20 Break (15 minutes)
10:20 - 10:40 Lectio Divina (Holy Reading of Scripture)
**Information is below and a brief explanation will be offered before we begin.**
10:40 - 11:50 Open Period for Personal Reflection (remain in silence
You are welcome to spend personal reflection time anywhere on the church grounds. We also have these prayer tools available to you: a labyrinth, with instructions, in the parish hall (it takes 30-40 minutes to walk the labyrinth and you'll walk it without shoes); an icon of Mary the Mother of Jesus and an icon of the angel Gabriel with information on praying with icons; a table to write and pray intercessions will be in the parlor which is adjacent to the parish hall.
12:00 - 12:25 3rd Prayer Period, closing with a group reading from Luke
12:30 Lunch begins (talking lunch)
Prayer Periods
During the silent retreat, prayer periods will be 20 minutes in length to accommodate those who practice Centering Prayer. If you do not practice Centering Prayer, we invite you to try it during this retreat. Instructions are in the next paragraph. Or you may wish to simply sit quietly with our Lord during the prayer period.
Centering Prayer
You are welcome to come at 8:30 a.m. for a brief instruction on Centering Prayer. In addition, this prayer method is described here. Centering Prayer is a form of silent prayer that prepares us to experience God’s presence within us, closer than our breath and our thoughts. Centering Prayer is an ancient form of prayer that adds depth of meaning to all other prayer forms.
Guidelines
(1) Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. Use a short word such as God, Jesus, Abba, Father, Mother, Mary, Amen, Love, Listen, Peace, Mercy, Let Go, Silence, Stillness, Faith, Trust.
(2) Sitting comfortably, with your eyes closed, silently introduce your sacred word as a symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within you during this prayer period. Release your sacred word and sit in silence, without thoughts, for the prayer period.
(3) If you become aware of thoughts during the prayer period, ever-so-gently return to your sacred word.
(4) At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes. This enables us to bring the atmosphere of silence into daily life.
A more detailed description of these guidelines is available at the Contemplative Outreach website
Lectio Divina
We will also practice Lectio Divina (Holy Reading of Scripture) during the Retreat. Lectio Divina is an ancient practice from the Christian contemplative heritage. It was made a regular practice in monasteries by the time of St. Benedict in the 6th century. Although there are several forms of Lectio Divina, we will be using these Guidelines at the Retreat.
Guidelines
(1) Read: A passage of Scripture will be read slowly, twice. Listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you. After the readings, there will be 1-2 minutes of silence. During the silence, repeat the word or phrase slowly, in silence, to yourself. You are allowing the word or phrase to penetrate deeply into you.
(2) Reflect: The passage of Scripture will be read again. As you hear the Scripture, and for the 2 minutes of silence that follow, reflect on the word or phrase that you heard originally. Reflect on how this word or phrase might have meaning for your life? What do you sense God giving to you through this word or phrase? What touches you in this word, phrase or passage of Scripture?
(3) Respond: The passage of Scripture will be read again and two minutes of silence will follow. Continue to meditate on your word/phrase. A prayer of praise, thanksgiving or petition may arise within you – offer this in silent prayer to God. Or you may wish to continue repeating the word or phrase silently to yourself.
(4) Rest in God: The passage of Scripture will be read of final time and two minutes of silence will follow. Simply be with God’s presence as you open yourself to an even deeper hearing of the Word of God. The facilitator may then ask if anyone would like to share a word, phrase or reflection – either to affirm it for themselves or as a gift to the group. Sharing is optional.
More information on the history and method of Lectio Divina is available at the Contemplative Outreach website.