Centering Prayer in the Catholic Church is a form of silent, contemplative prayer where individuals focus on achieving a state of interior silence by letting go of all thoughts and distractions, using a chosen “sacred word” as a focal point to gently return to when their mind wanders, with the goal of experiencing a deeper presence of God within them; it’s considered a way to “consent” to God’s presence and action rather than actively petitioning or asking for things.
Key points about Centering Prayer:
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Focus on silence:The primary aim is to quiet the mind and create space for a deeper connection with God, not necessarily focusing on specific thoughts or prayers.
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“Sacred word”:A single word like “Jesus” or “Love” is chosen to serve as an anchor when thoughts drift, helping to gently bring the practitioner back to the present moment.
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Not about emptying the mind completely:While the goal is to let go of most thoughts, the focus is on returning to the sacred word whenever distractions arise, not on achieving a completely blank mind.