PRACTICES THAT WILL SUPPORT CENTERING ON GOD

Cistercian (Trappist) charisms and practices.

Silence, Solitude, Prayer, Work, Community

Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams’ Practices

Self-Knowledge, Stillness, Growth, Joy

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES TO USE TO SUSTAIN CENTERING ON GOD (These practices that help me center myself in the mind and heart of Christ.)

Eucharist

Lectio Divina—Four steps. Read (lectio); Meditate (meditatio); Pray (oratio); Contemplate (contemplatio).

Meditation and Spiritual Reading

The Rosary

Liturgy of the Hours - universalis.com, divineoffice.org

Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament

Morning Offering and Dedication of the Day

SAMPLES OF WHAT YOU MAY NOTICE

• I don’t always keep the schedule perfectly, but I do more often than not (or I revise it to a more doable schedule for me).
• I look forward to spending more time with God, family and things that are important to me and managing my time with activities that seem to be less meaningful.

Please try a schedule every day for at least a week. Then adjust, if needed. After a few weeks, evaluate yourself a) on your daily prayer; b) on what you experienced by spending time heart to heart with Christ or one or more Persons of the Trinity.

SOME TIPS ABOUT MAKING THIS SCHEDULE

• Don’t make the mistake of thinking that making this schedule will make you a contemplative person. It won’t. This is just one way that you can organize your routine to give you the ability to focus every day on “having in you the mind of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 2:5)

• Start with something that “works” for you.  Suggestion:  First, still yourself and acknowledge God’s presence. Then begin either with your own words or a structured prayer, such as the Divine Office. Don’t just say words. Start out that way, but when something speaks to you, stay with it. Ponder it in the presence of Christ, perhaps as He did with the Father. Ask Him (or Mary) about it. Then be still and listen.

• Don’t force yourself. Let God in. Grow. See if it leads to you longing for these moments of awareness that you are in the presence of God.