The School for Contemplative Living

"When you answer the contemplative call, your life changes. This transformation may come gradually, or it may be shattering in its suddenness...It has been said many times that, after transformation, you seldom have the feeling you have found anything. It feels much more like Someone found you."
                                                                                                                                 -- Carl McColman

 

The School for Contemplative Living at Cedarbrake introduces you to living a spiritual life more intentionally. It consists of three "semesters," each consisting of six weekly sessions (Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.). Through educational lectures and prayer experiences, you will be exposed both to the history of Christian spirituality as well as basics of a healthy, authentic, and contemplative lifestyle. Each semester is not necessary to attend the previous semester to profit from the current or future semester. Registration for one individual Wednesday session is not permitted.

The School of Contemplative Living at Cedarbrake is specifically designed for those who are eager to become more aware of God's action in their lives, for those in parish ministry (RCIA coordinators, Adult Faith Formation directors), for those thinking of entering a spiritual director training program or who are already trained as spiritual directors.

The cost for each semester is $250 (includes lunch). Payment is required in full at the beginning of the semester. Registration for one individual Wednesday session is not permitted. For more information or to register, call Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center at (254) 780-2436 or visit our website www.cedarbrake.org.

March 13:           Building Blocks of Personal Spirituality; An Introduction to the Benedictines
March 27:           The Spiritual Journey; An Introduction to the Cistercians
April 3:                 Lectio Divina and Scriptural Prayer; An Introduction to the Carmelites
April 10:               Liturgy of the Hours: An Introduction to the Dominicans
April 17:               Spiritual Direction and a Rule of Life; An Introduction to the Franciscans
April 24:               Make Sense of Suffering; Practical Holiness; An Introduction to the Jesuits
 

Sept. 11:  The Critical Journey; The Spirituality of Jesus
Sept. 18:  Feelings, Emotions, and the Welcoming Prayer; New Testament Spirituality
Sept. 25:  Living in the Present Moment and the Examen; The Desert Fathers and Mothers
Oct. 9:       Discernment; The Spirituality of the Twelfth Century
Oct. 16:     True Self/False Self; Agenda of the Ego, Marian Spirituality
Oct. 23:     Principles of Prayer; Trends in Contemporary Spirituality
 

Jan. 15:       Dryness, Darkness, Desolation, and Depression
Jan. 22:       Jesus Prayer, Meditation, and Centering Prayer; Thomas Keating
Jan. 29:       Self-Awareness, Sinfulness, and an Examination of Conscience, Jean Vanier
Feb. 5:          Principles of Spiritual Disciplines; Sabbath Rest and a Balanced Lifestyle; Henri Nouwen
Feb. 12:       Forgiveness: God, Self, and Others; Thomas Merton
Feb. 19:       The Devil; Resisting Temptations; Ordinary Mysticism