SEPTEMBER
Exhibits
A new series of exhibits on art and spirituality will be
offered throughout the year. Announcements of the
artists and themes can be found at www.stpaulsmonastery.org.
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Weekly Centering Prayer Group
Wed., Sept. 8, 6:30-7:20a (each Wednesday)
No cost
Centering Prayer is a form of prayer that takes practice.
Each week the monastery hosts a time for those seeking
to deepen their experience under the guidance of S.
Virginia Matter OSB.
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 School of Lectio Divina
Tues., Sept. 14, 1p thru Sun., Sept. 19, 1p (FULL)
(also Feb. 25 thru Mar. 2 OPEN)
S. Meg Funk OSB
$700 includes lodging and meals
The Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery is offering
the School of Lectio Divina to adapt the ancient
monastic riches of sustained lectio divina to contemporary
people. Through an intensive retreat experience set
in the rhythm of life at St. Paul’s Monastery, participants
receive teaching about lectio, spend time meditating on a
sacred text significant for them, have the opportunity for
individual spiritual direction, and participate in reflective
conversation with other participants. In addition,
the Center will provide a variety of on-going support
activities and resources after the retreat participants make
sustained lectio core to individual prayer and spiritual
development. Limit 15 guests. Email benedictinecenter@stpaulsmonastery.org for Feb. 25 – Mar. 2 application
materials.
Click here for a description of the School of Lectio Divina.
Click here for a PDF copy of the application form.
Click here for a Word copy of the application form.
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Taizé Prayer
Fri., Sept. 17, 7-8p (third Friday of every month)
Monastic Community
No cost
Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures
and periods of silence to create an environment for
encountering the mystery of God. Walk-ins welcome.
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Shape of the Divine: Working with Clay as Spiritual
Practice
Mondays, 6:30-8:30p, Sept. 20 thru Oct. 25
S. Virginia Matter OSB
$150 includes materials
Under the direction of experienced potter S. Virginia
Matter OSB, learn how making hand-built vessels can aid
the process of meditation. Register online.
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Is Spiritual Direction Right for Me?
Tues., Sept. 21, 7-8p
Peter Watkins
No cost
There are times when a deep conversation about
one’s spiritual questions and insights can deepen
one’s relationship with God. That is the role of
spiritual directors. Come and learn more about the
process and whether it is suited to your spiritual
needs. Register online.
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Poetry Reading by Michael Dennis Browne
Wed., Sept. 22, 7:30-9:30p
Freewill offering
“The mingling of both well-being and distress in us is
so astonishing that we can hardly tell what state we
are in. But the fact is, that is a part of being whole.
We stand in this mingling all our life.” (Julian of
Norwich)
Poets have a vocation to pay attention – to the
world, to the events that shape us, to the intricacies
of the human heart. Drawing on his extensive career
as poet and teacher, Michael Dennis Browne will
read and reflect on his poems as they grapple with
well-being and distress. He is Professor Emeritus
at the University of Minnesota, where he has
taught from 1971 to 2010. Two of his collections of
poetry have won the Minnesota Book Award. To
Be Certain of the Dawn, a post-Holocaust oratorio
written with the composer Stephen Paulus, was
released as a CD by the Minnesota Orchestra on
BIS Records in 2009. His most recent publication
is What the Poem Wants: Prose on Poetry (Carnegie
Mellon University Press, 2009). Other publications
include Give Her the River, a picture book (Atheneum
Books for Young Readers, 2004) and Things I
Can’t Tell You, a collection of his poems (Carnegie
Mellon University Press, 2005). Register online.
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Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group
Mon., Sept. 27, 7-9p (fourth Monday of every month)
David Sagula
Freewill offering
This time of prayer and conversation is for men seeking
to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active
lives. The evening includes time with Scripture and silent
prayer, as well as dialogue about men’s spirituality and
personal experience. No experience with contemplative
prayer is necessary. Walk-ins welcome.
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Lectio 101: The Word of God
Tues., Sept. 28, 7-9p
Steve Arnold
$25
An ancient spiritual practice, lectio divina is a prayerful
reading of the Bible. In this session, participants learn
how this practice can enrich their encounter with the
Scriptures. Register online.
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OCTOBER
 Benedictine Spirituality for the Frazzled
Tues., Oct. 5, 7-9p
Rev. Jane Tomaine, D.Min.
$25
Ever feel like a prisoner of your schedule? Looking for
ways to restore balance and wholeness? Would you like to
draw on God’s continual presence in your daily life? This
evening program explores how the Rule of St. Benedict
can help one stay connected to God in the fray and open
to that holy grace that infuses hope and peace. To bring
the learning alive in day-to-day routines, participants
will will receive practical tools to help live in the present
moment, create a healthier balance and connect with
God through creative ways during the day. Come and
join others who are seeking a deeper relationship with
God and explore how wisdom from the sixth century
speaks in a living and relevant voice for today. Register online.
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Bio Spiritual Focusing Enrichment
Wed., Oct. 13, 7-9p
S. Virginia Matter OSB and S. Joanne Dehmer SSND
$20
An evening of enrichment and shared practice for those
who have experience with Bio Spiritual Focusing. Offered
in cooperation with Loyola Spirituality Center. Register online.
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Steps Toward Healing Wounds of the Past
Thurs., Oct. 14, 7-9p
S. Mary White OSB
$25
Faith gives us guidance toward freedom from the harmful
effects of unhealed emotional pain, whether it be pain
inflicted from outside or pain which is caused within.
With a determined will and surrender to grace, participants
will find inner peace and renewed energy for the
future. Join this evening for a review of simple practices
which open the way to healing. Register online.
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Taizé Day of Reflection
Fri., Oct. 15, 10a-8p
Victor Klimoski
$40 includes meals
A time of reflection flowing into the celebration of Taizé
prayer. Theme: Cultivating the presence of God. Register online.
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Taizé Prayer
Fri., Oct. 15, 7-8p
No cost
Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures
and periods of silence to create an environment for
encountering the mystery of God. Walk-ins welcome.
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Intro to Centering Prayer
Sat., Oct. 16, 9-3p
S. Virginia Matter OSB
$50 includes lunch
This ancient spiritual practice is a Christian way of meditating
that teaches one how to listen for God’s invitation
to deeper relationship. S. Virginia Matter OSB has been
teaching Centering Prayer for over 20 years. Register online.
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Centering Prayer Enrichment
S. Virginia Matter OSB
Wednesdays, 7-9p, Oct. 20 thru Nov. 3
$35 for all three
These three sessions use teachings and dialogue to enrich
one’s practice of Centering Prayer. Session 1: Prayer in
Secret and The Discipline of Centering Prayer; Session
2: What Centering Prayer is Not and What It Is and
The Basic Principles of Centering Prayer; Session 3: The
Method of Centering Prayer. Register online.
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Praying the Psalms
Thurs., Oct. 21, 7-9p
S. Carol Rennie OSB
$25
The Psalter has been a powerful source of spiritual
inspiration for generations. Come and discover how the
psalms can be a constantly fresh source of personal prayer. Register online.
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Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group
Mon., Oct. 25, 7-9p
This time of prayer and conversation is for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. The evening includes time with Scripture and silent prayer, as well as dialogue about men's spirituality and personal experience. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Freewill offering.
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NOVEMBER
A Time to Remember: A Retreat for Women Whose
Mothers Have Died
S. Joanne Dehmer SSND
Fri., Nov. 5, 7p thru Sat., Nov. 6, 4p
$195 includes lodging and meals
$125 for commuters
We mourn the death of our mother all the days of our
life. This retreat offers women an opportunity to explore
the significance of mother loss. Hosted by the Loyola
Spirituality Center at the Benedictine Center. Call
651.641.0008 to register.
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When Thinking Gets in the Way of Praying
Rev. Lisa Cressman, D. Min.
Thurs., Nov. 11, 7-9p
$25
Ancient monastics discovered that in their zeal to be
faithful at prayer, they underestimated the sorts of
distractions their minds could generate. The passage of centuries has not cured this problem. Enrich your ability
to stay focused in prayer by joining Lisa Cressman to
explore practical helps and time-tested monastic wisdom. Register online.
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Psalms for the Liturgical Year
Frank Rivas
Mondays, 7-9p Nov. 15 and 22
$40
In the Liturgy of the Hours, psalms composed centuries
before Jesus nonetheless give voice to the breadth of the
Christian tradition. There are, however, problems with
the psalms; many, for example, assume that God should
help us and “our people” just as God should punish those
we identify as enemies. After millennia of conflicts in
which God was invoked by both sides, we have witnessed
the danger of this approach. Frank Rivas approaches the
psalms by examining this ethnocentrism more closely
by studying the Hebrew text and by examining our own
hearts. Register online.
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Taizé Prayer
Fri., Nov. 19, 7-8p
No cost
Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures
and periods of silence to create an environment for
encountering the mystery of God. Walk-ins welcome.
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Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group
Mon., Nov. 22, 7-9p
This time of prayer and conversation is for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. The evening includes time with Scripture and silent prayer, as well as dialogue about men's spirituality and personal experience. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Freewill offering.
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Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina Retreat
S. Virginia Matter OSB
Fri., Nov. 26, 7p thru Sun., Nov. 28, 1p (also Aug. 19-24)
$180 includes lodging and meals
Experience a time of profound silence and praying the
Scriptures as you enter into deeper relationship with
God and self. Blends a rhythm of Centering Prayer, lectio
divina, and prayer with the monastic community. Register online.
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Praying with Scripture through Advent
S. Virginia Matter OSB
$50
Tuesdays, 9:30-11a, Nov. 30 thru Dec. 21
Prepare for Advent by entering into key scriptural texts
that open us to the miracle of the Incarnation. Register online.
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DECEMBER
The Christmas Village Exhibit
Open Dec. 11 thru Jan. 6, 9a-6p daily
Freewill offering
This elaborate display of hand-painted Fontanini figurines
during the Advent and Christmas Season provides
a three-dimensional interpretation of the nativity of our
Lord.
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Taizé Retreat
S. Virginia Matter OSB
Fri., Dec. 17, 7p thru Sat., Dec. 18, 1p
$70
This retreat flows from the celebration of Taizé prayer.
This month’s focus: heartfulness. Register online.
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Taizé Prayer
Fri., Dec. 17, 7-8p
No cost
Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures
and periods of silence to create an environment for
encountering the mystery of God. Walk-ins welcome.
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Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group
Mon., Dec. 27, 7-9p
This time of prayer and conversation is for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. The evening includes time with Scripture and silent prayer, as well as dialogue about men's spirituality and personal experience. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary. Walk-ins welcome. Freewill offering.
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