These monks dreamed of taking the church’s rich, centuries-old tradition of contemplative prayer and distilling it into a simple, easily learned prayer that ordinary people could practice. They ...

There is in every man, woman, and child an infinite abyss that can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God himself. Out of this built-in need or desire as well ...

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis on Wednesday encouraged people to embrace the contemplative dimension of being human both in prayer and one’s daily life. In his general audience address on May 5, the pope ...

First, I fidget. I cross and uncross my legs, fold and unfold my hands, bow and raise my head. I discover muscles I didn’t know I had, muscles that twitch, quiver, itch, and ache. So I waste several ...

The life of prayer is a process that has great advances and setbacks. There is no monotony when it comes to spending time with God. For those who commit themselves to pray, there is a daily adventure ...

Pope Francis leads his general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican May 5, 2021. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) Below is the text of Pope Francis’ weekly Wednesday audience, ...

From the Greek philosopher Plato to the Buddha to modern psychology forefathers William James and Wilhelm Wundt, the value of contemplation as a means of fostering well-being and wisdom has been known ...

When the Church approaches contemplative prayer, she is led to give multiple and different definitions in her attempt to explain what it is. The multiple definitions are needed since no one definition ...

Sr. Maria Elena Romero compares the work of contemplative life in this historic Synod of Bishops to that of the soldiers who guard for attacks in the rear of a mass of soldiers during battle. "There ...