Replies

The Novus Ordo pastor in my town teaches that "centering prayer" helps us to focus our attention on God and thereby clear away the distractions of the world. An example of "centering prayer" according to him is: "Jesus, Son of God, Whose sacrifice on the cross atoned for our sins, have mercy on me, a poor sinner." If there is something wrong with that, I fail to see it. Do you believe that a centering prayer of that sort is wrong? Why?

115 posted on 03/02/2004 12:21:53 AM PST by BlackElk (Dean of Discipline of the Tomas de Torquemada Gentlemen's Club)

I don't see anything wrong with that at all. In fact it's commendable Try meditating with some Gregorian chants sometime.

116 posted on 03/02/2004 4:58:49 AM PST by AAABEST (<a href="http://www.angelqueen.org">Traditional Catholicism is Back and Growing</a>)

That sounds suspiciously like the Jesus prayer from Bunyan's Way of the Pilgrim. I like the term Jesus prayer better.

One of the signs of creeping secularism in the Church is the names chosen for different Church affiliated groups. I recall my grandmother belonging to the Holy Name Society and various other groups with religious monikers. Now they have names like Diocesan Conference of Catholic Women; a decidedly bureaucratic sounding name.

120 posted on 03/02/2004 5:35:53 AM PST by TradicalRC (While the wicked stand confounded, Call me, with thy saints surrounded. -The Boondock Saints)

Do you believe that a centering prayer of that sort is wrong?

Nothing wrong with that, certainly. But, look at what the Cardinal was talking about: Zen and Hindu meditation.

It seems to me that he is speaking in direct contradiction to the recent document ("Jesus Christ The Bearer of the Water of Life: a Christian Reflection on the 'New Age'") from the Pontifical Councils for Culture and Interreligious Dialogue, which warned Catholics to be very wary of stuff like that.

An example of "centering prayer" according to him is: "Jesus, Son of God, Whose sacrifice on the cross atoned for our sins, have mercy on me, a poor sinner."

I don't think that is a "true" centering prayer. That is just a variation of the "Jesus Prayer" which is part of Eastern Christian spirituality. This link provides a real example of a centering prayer. It's just New Ageism.

124 posted on 03/02/2004 6:36:38 AM PST by Pyro7480 ("We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid" - Benjamin Franklin)

I don't know, BlackElk, the folks I know of that use "centering prayer" usually do so in the presence of crystals and sitar music by Vangelis. Tres New Age.

Perhaps this is just a semantic problem, because of course there is NOTHING wrong with contemplative prayer during which we as Catholics reflect on God, His Holy Sacrifice and how we can be more like Him. After all, cloistered monks and nuns do that all the time...

I just don't trust that Mahoney was talking about THAT sort of "centering prayer." Somehow I suspect he was referring to the Vangelis type. I suppose I could be wrong.

Regards,