Favorite Sources for Prayer and Spiritual Growth for Parish Social Ministers and Ministry

The 2013 Spirituality Project Team of the Catholic Charities USA Parish Social Ministry Professional Interest Section provides this aid for the personal prayer life of its members AND the presence of prayer in the events of parish social ministry groups. Comments on this arrangement and listing my be directed to Steve Herro; Manager of Mission and Ministry, Catholic Charities, USA; sherro@catholiccharitiesusa.org; 571-814-4923.

Descriptions and Characteristics of Popular Personal Prayer Forms and Spirituality Types
(descriptions from Downey, Michael. The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1993). Augustinian Spiritualityderived from Augustines absorption of the Catholic faith into the living out of daily life; conversion to Christ through the caritas that unifies all human energy and includes finding a home in God through a joyful and intimate relationship with Father, Son, and Spirit. To delve deeper into Augustinian spirituality, consult primary sources such as his City of God and The Confessions of St. Augustine and secondary sources Augustine of Hippo: Selected Writings (edited by Mary T. Clark) and Augustine, Augustine Spirituality, & Tradition (http://www.augustinians.org.au/tradition/spirit.html). Benedictine Spiritualitybased on the rule of St. Benedict, a classic expression of monastic Christianity, yet applicable in its wisdom for countless Christians throughout the ages. Contains an image of a high, exalted, and austere God whose presence can be found in persons, places, and situations. Persons strenuously labor to seek God. To delve deeper into Benedictine spirituality, consult primary sources such the Regula Benedicta and secondary sources Praying with Benedict (Katherine Howard) and The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century (Joan Chittister), and Monastic Life: Prayer and Work (http://www.saintjohnsabbey.org/monastic-life/abbey-spirituality1/). Centering Prayera method to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer. Individual chooses a single sacred word to open and yield to Gods presence and action within oneself. For more information about centering prayer, consult Contemplative Outreach (http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/), a website based on the work of Trappist Fr. Thomas Keating, a 20th century leader in the Centering Prayer movement. Dominican Spiritualitya mix of common life, choral office, study and contemplation, penance, and the apostolate of preaching, the two sides of Dominican life are the expressions of a single lovelove of God and neighbor, the one flowing from the other and vice versa. Though founder St. Dominic Guzman left few spiritual writings, other early Dominicans such as Albert the Great,

Thomas Aquinas, and Catherine of Sienna did. See Catherine of Sienas The Dialogue. A vivid portrait of Dominic engaged in prayer can be found in The Nine Ways of Prayer of our Holy Father Dominic. Helpful secondary sources to Dominican spirituality include Early Dominicans: Selected Writings (Simon Tugwell), Praying with Catherine of Siena (Patricia Mary Vinje), and Praying with Dominic (Michael Monshau). Examination of Conscienceprayerful reflection on ones relationship with God and others, as a human being created in love for love, but in need of the support and encouragement of Gods love along the way. The Daily Examen is a component of Ignatian spirituality; for more information, see The Daily Examen (http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/theexamen/). Franciscan Spiritualitya description of an approach to God and life in the world characterized by the values and behaviors demonstrated by Francis and Clare of Assisi. Francis identifies the first moment of his spiritual life with an encounter with a leper; the tradition of Franciscan spirituality finds its foundation in the poor and crucified Christ. Primary sources in Franciscan spirituality include St. Francis Testament and Earlier Rule (which was later revised with the Final Rule). See also Francis and Clare: The Complete Works (Regis Armstrong, Ignatius Brady). Helpful secondary sources include Praying with Francis of Assisi (Joseph Stoutzenberger, John Bohrer) Ignatian SpiritualityIgnatian spirituality, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, is first and foremost Trinitarian. Ignatius experienced the Father as Father, the Son as Son, and the Spirit as the Holy Spirit. It is meant to be versatile in helping one to seek and find Gods will; prayer and religious experience do not exist for their own sake but as a means to seek, find, and accomplish Gods will. The Spiritual Exercises are also explained at http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/. Ignatian Spirituality is a rich source for all things Ignatian; see http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/. Several other helpful sources include Ignatius of Loyola: The Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works (George Ganss) and Praying with Ignatius of Loyola (Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and Marie Schwan) Lectio divinaholy reading of Scriptures or writings of early Church Fathers or other spiritual writers requiring prayerful reflection on the text leading to communion with God in prayer. For help using lectio divina, see http://lectio-divina.org/

Resources for Personal Prayer

Catholic Prayer Life Administered by Colleen Spiro, the Web site includes daily and weekly reflections, a blog, background material on saints, examples of Catholic prayer forms, etc. Daily Reflections A free Web based service of the Campus Ministry Office, Creighton University, it offers links to daily Mass readings with a reflection by a member of the Creighton community. Give Us This Day: Daily Prayer for Todays Catholics. Monthly periodical that features daily abbreviated morning and evening prayer, readings and Mass collects, biographical entries, and Mass reflections. Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits. Harter, Michael. St. Louis: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1993. Prayers by Jesuits arranged to accompany Ignatius Spiritual Exercises or simply focus on events of daily life. Henri Nouwen Society Administrators of the site are dedicated toward the promotion of the spirituality of Henri Nouwen; they offer daily and weekly reflections, a daily meditation blog, and online discussion group. Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative Web based tool provides texts of Sunday readings and a reflection in Spanish and English. Liturgy of the Hourshistorically based on the biblical prayer of the Jewish synagogue, liturgy of the hours helps insure that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the praise of God (Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy, #84). The Liturgy of the Hours consists of a pattern of scriptural and scripturally inspired prayer that includes the following: hymn, psalms and scriptural canticles with accompanying antiphons, scripture proclamation and response, Canticle of Zachary (morning) or Mary (evening), intercessions, Lords Prayer, collect, final blessing. Perhaps the most common way to pray the Liturgy of the Hours is with the Liturgy of the Hours According to the Roman Rite (published by Catholic Book Publishing Company, New York). The Liturgy of the Hours is also available online every day at universalis.com (http://universalis.com/). Sacred Space A free, daily online prayer source based on the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola; administered by the Irish Jesuits.

Resources for Meeting Prayers

All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time. Ellsberg, Robert. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1998. Biographical entries with quotations by holy figures, arranged by feast, birth, or death date. Center for Concerns Education for Justice. A comprehensive Web site with backgrounders, prayers and prayer services, and other reflections related to spirituality and social justice. Some of the materials on the site are free; other sections are for yearly subscribers. Living Gods Justice: Reflections and Prayers Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006. Provides a collection of prayers categorized by theme of Catholic Social Teaching. The Notre Dame Book of Prayer Office of Campus Ministry. South Bend: Ave Maria Press, 2010. Prayer for Parish Groups: Preparing and Leading Prayer for Group Meetings Harrington, Donal and Kavanagh, Julie. Winona: St. Marys Press, Christian Bros. Publications, 1998. This is a book of prayer resources for parish groups. It is not a book for prayer groups, but for every parish group. from the books preface. Prayer Without Borders: Celebrating Global Wisdom Ballenger, Barbara. Baltimore: Catholic Relief Services, 2004. Dozens of prayers, reflections, and stories derived from countries served by Catholic Relief Services. Prayers for the New Social Awakening: Inspired by the New Social Creed Iosso, Christian and Hinson-Hasty, Elizabeth L. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008. Prayers for a Privileged People Bruggeman, Walter. Nashville, Abingdon Press, 2008. Prayers for a Thousand Years: Blessings and Expressions of Hope for the New Millenium Roberts, Elizabeth J. and Amidon, Elias. Hundreds of wishes, blessings, stories, and challenges from a diverse group of distinguished international spiritual teachers, poets, activists, political leaders, youth, artists and visionaries, composed around themes of peace and understanding.

Resources for Prayer Services

Center for Concerns Education for Justice Provides prayer services, single prayers, and other curricular aids. Some materials in no charge; other items are for subscribers only. Notable Quotations from Catholic Social Teaching The compilation is maintained by Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis; quotes can be used as part of a prayer service. Prayer for Each Day Provided by the Taize Community, it offers a template for a daily prayer service (psalm, reading, song, etc.). Click on Prayer for Each Day to get the days template. Our Prayers Rise Like Incense: Liturgies for Peace. Preseton-Pile, Cindy. Erie: Pax Christi USA, 1998. Sample prayer service for occasions and events throughout the year; written from a social justice perspective

September 28, 2013