Centering Prayer: Lectio Divina and the Four Senses of Scripture

This Praying Holy Scripture in-person retreat at Holy Cross Monastery in the Hudson Valley, NY offers Centering Prayer periods plus presentations based upon Fr. Thomas Keating’s teachings on the deepening levels of faith: the Four Senses of Scripture – literal, allegorical, behavioral/moral, and unitive senses. The presentations teach a contemplative way of listening to and reading Scripture known as the ancient monastic practice of Lectio Divina. We will experience scripture by praying different translations of Mary’s hymn of praise: the Magnificat. During the retreat, one will experience the interplay of the silence of Centering Prayer and Praying Holy Scripture combined with the rhythm of this Episcopal Benedictine monastic community’s worship and prayer life including Holy Eucharist. This contemplative retreat welcomes those comfortable with silence and yearning to learn this ancient way of praying rather than studying Holy Scripture.

Check-in is from 2:00 to 5:00 pm Tuesday, December 14. Vespers begins at 5:00. Dinner then follows. Orientation begins at 7:15pm. The retreat concludes with noon meal Friday, December 17. Suggested donation for the retreat is $385 (including a non-refundable deposit). The retreat fee includes a single room and all meals. Shared single occupancy bathrooms in the hallways. The Guest House requires all guests to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and the wearing of face masks during group gatherings.

Register with our Guesthouse Manager, Donna Mallory at 845-384-6660 ext 3002 or at guesthouse@hcmnet.org. If you have questions about the content of the retreat please contact the retreat leader: Leslee Terpay at co-leslee@comcast.net.

Our Retreat Leader — Leslee Anne Terpay: As a Contemplative Outreach Commissioned Presenter of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina, Leslee shares Fr. Thomas Keating’s teachings on the Christian Spiritual Journey to Love in workshop and retreat settings. She is part of the Service Teams that steward Fr. Thomas’s teaching for serving Intensive Retreats and Lectio Divina. She is a spiritual director in Lone Tree, CO and a graduate of The Center for Action and Contemplation Living School.