Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living

Course dates

  • 11 October 2011 - 29th May 2012 + 3 Saturdays (10 December/31st March/2nd June)

About the course

Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living is a one year programme for those who want a closer relationship with God. The programme features Tuesday evening sessions from 7 to 9:30pm and includes three full day sessions.

The course aims to provide participants with opportunities to:

  • explore different ways of praying and become aware of everyday life as full of resources for prayer
  • make connections between prayer and life, so as to live more reflectively
  • explore images of God and of self as made in God’s image, and to consider the implications of this for one’s faith journey
  • nurture their spiritual growth and develop an appropriate spirituality
  • ‘taste’ some ways of helping others in their spiritual journey

Term 1:

  • The nature of prayer
  • Methods of prayer, imaginative contemplation, lectio divina, etc
  • Resources for prayer, such as Scripture, daily life, poetry, pictures, the universe, personal life story, mantra

Term 2:

  • Christian and other faith-traditions of prayer and spirituality, eg Celtic, Orthodox, Ignatian, Buddhist
  • Personal growth through prayer: self-awareness, discernment and decision-making
  • Integration of prayer and life: faith and justice

Term 3:

  • Aids to expressing self in prayer, eg art, the body
  • Helping others in their spiritual journey: leading a prayer session; listening and spiritual conversation - a ‘taster’!

The method is reflective and experiential. The evenings will include input from the team, guided experiences of prayer and meditation (following the rhythm of the liturgical year), and periods of quiet for reflection. There will also be opportunities for sharing and listening in small groups.

In addition to the weekly evening meetings, there are two full days at the end of the Christmas and summer terms. The second of these is the final day of the course and will be a day of retreat. Participants are also offered the opportunity of individual accompaniment during the second and third terms.

The course is intended for those who wish to deepen their relationship with God. No particular ability in prayer is required. Participants should be prepared to share some of their experience of prayer with others, and, because of the participatory nature of the course, should be committed to regular attendance.

The course is complete in itself, and lays a foundation for various possibilities of follow-through: individual spiritual accompaniment; silent retreats or retreats in daily life, including the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola; the two year Spiritual Accompaniment programme which trains people to help others in the development of their spiritual life.

The course is run by the Eileen Cassidy (SND) and Margaret Fielding (RSHM) from the Ignatian Spirituality Centre Glasgow. Guest speakers will join the team for particular sessions.

If you require any further information please contact us.   

Location

The Ignatian Spirituality Centre, 35 Scott Street, Glasgow, G3 6PE. Find it on Google Maps »

Suggested donation

Suggested donation - £340 (£250). Payments can be spread across the year according to need - please enquire if you need assistance with the cost.