ON DECEMBER 3, 2022, Elena Bertran presented “An Advent Morning of Prayer,” a seasonal retreat, on Zoom. It included two periods of Centering Prayer, chanting led by Avril Bland, visio divina, lectio divina, guided movement, and time for group sharing. Below is a list with links to songs, books, videos and other resources that Elena and Avril drew upon for this retreat:

Fully Human, Fully Divine: An Advent Devotional for the Whole Self  – Whitney R. Simpson, Upper Room Books, 2022. This book contains the image of the Holy Family as well as images for “hope,” “joy,” and “love” by the same artist, Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman.It also contains the Advent Poem read at the beginning of the morning and the hands meditation for “love.”

Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God – Cynthia Bourgeault, Cowley Publications, Cloister Books, 2001. This book contains the poem by St. Symeon the New Theologian (949 – 1022).

The Primacy of Love (My Theology 4) – Ilia Delio, Fortress Press, 2022.

“Our Myths of Peace,” from an unpublished homily given by Thomas Keating on August 19, 2001. Contemplative Outreach News, Vol 38-Number 2-June 2022.

LECTIO:

Joy Unspeakable / erupts when you least expect it, / when the burden is greatest, / when the hope is gone / after bullets fly. / It rises / on the crest of impossibility, / it sways to the rhythm / of steadfast hearts, / and celebrates / what we cannot see.

–Barbara Holmes

CHANT Information:

1. For info on the practice of chanting, including Breath, Tone, Intentionality, and Community, see Chanting the Psalms: A Practical Guide, by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault. 
2. “Unknowing, Abide” chant by Darlene Franz. 
3. “Pour Out Through Me” chant by Darlene Franz.
4. “Prepare the Way of the Lord” chant by the Taize Community.
5. Additional Chant Resources: https://wisdomwaypoints.org/chant/                         

Pre-Retreat & Break-time videos & music:

1. “Winter,” music by Michele McLaughlin.
2. “The Golden Hour,” music by Michele McLaughlin
3. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” piano and cello with The Piano Guys.
4. “Aquarium” from Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, performed by the Kanneh-Mason family.
5. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” performed by Enya.

———————————————————————————————————–

ON NOVEMBER 12, 2022, Fr. Vincent Pizzuto returned to the San Diego area to lead a day-long workshop, “Active-Passivity: The Art of Becoming Christ.” The venue this time was the warmly inviting Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Del Mar. That evening, Fr. Vincent, along with Mother Paige Blair, celebrated a beautiful Celtic Rite Liturgy in the church. A recording of this liturgy is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI3LlnlRdMA&t=9

————————————————————————————————————

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Prince of Peace Silent Weekend Retreat was held on October 14-16, 2022, with 17 contemplatives joining retreat leader Mary Williams and Linda Dollins for periods of Centering Prayer, Lectio Divina, meditative walks, community worship in the form of a contemplative Love Feast, and personal reflection.  Participants could also attend the Liturgy of the Hours.

———————————————————————————————————–

On June 15th, 2019, at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 84 contemplatives gathered to hear a presentation by Fr. Vincent Pizzuto, Professor of New Testament Studies and Christian Mysticism at the University of San Francisco and Vicar of St. Columba’s Episcopal Church and Retreat House in Inverness, CA. The day included morning hospitality, a presentation titled “Becoming Prayer: Contemplative Discipleship and the Interior Life,” two periods of Centering Prayer, and lunch. Fr. Vincent was very well received, and we hope to have him join us again soon

• 

• 

————————————————————————————————————

On November 10^th, 2018, in St. Bartholomew’s Parish Hall, CONSD hosted “God’s Presence Seen Through the Lens of Thomas Merton,” a half-day retreat. The morning, led by Elena Andrews, was structured around the album, Point Vierge with songs by Alana Levandowsi. The album tracks also included readings by James Finley from his book on Thomas Merton, The Palace of Nowhere. The morning included two Centering Prayer sits, four tracks from the album, times for reflection, and chanting led by Elena’s daughter Claire. We also enjoyed hospitality provided by Joan Thompson and her crew and a time for personal sharing.

This was the first gathering of our contemplative community since the death of Fr. Thomas Keating, our beloved teacher and guide, leaving many of us in a state of deep appreciation and sorrow. How grateful we are to Fr. Thomas for the gift of Centering Prayer.

• 

• 

•