Forms and Traditions of Prayer
About the Course
This course is designed to immerse participants in the diverse and beautiful prayer practices of the Christian tradition, enrich their experience of the spiritual life by drawing on the mystical wisdom of the Church’s great traditions, and in this way empower participants to discover new pathways to encounter God and deepen their experience of Divine Love.
Course Overview
Forms and Traditions of Prayer is part of the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS) School of Prayer’s Deepening Prayer Series. It introduces participants to a variety of Christian traditions of prayer practices with the aim of deepening the prayer experience of participants. Each main session focuses on a distinct tradition, inviting participants to explore its historical context, spiritual insights, and unique practices. This course is perfect for anyone looking to grow in their understanding of prayer and draw from the rich tapestry of Christian spiritualities for a richer, more profound prayer life.
Course Aims and Learning Outcomes
Aims: The course aims to enrich participants’ prayer lives by introducing them to diverse forms and traditions of Christian prayer. By experiencing a range of practices, participants will gain a broader understanding of how to deepen their relationship with God through the richness of the Church’s spiritual heritage.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the Diversity of Christian Prayer Traditions: Gain insight into the history, theology, and approaches to prayer of various Christian spiritualities.
- Develop a Personalized Prayer Practice: Explore new prayer forms to find those that resonate most deeply with your spiritual journey.
- Integrate Prayer into Daily Life: Learn how to integrate diverse prayer practices into your daily spiritual discipline, fostering a sustained rhythm of prayer.
- Deepen Awareness of God’s Presence: Develop a greater attentiveness to God in Scripture, nature, community, and the interior life.
- Experience the Unity of Christian Spirituality: Appreciate the beautiful tapestry of approaches to prayer of the different prayer traditions within the Church and how they complement each other.
What Makes This Course unique?
This course stands out for its breadth and depth, offering participants a rare opportunity to explore multiple Christian prayer traditions in one programme. The practical, experiential approach ensures that participants not only learn about these traditions but actively engage with them. Each session is grounded in the rich wisdom of the Church, presented in a way that is accessible and relevant for contemporary seekers.
Why Take This Course?
In a world filled with distractions, cultivating a prayer life that is both rooted in tradition and adaptable to modern challenges is essential. This course is ideal for:
- Those who want to deepen their relationship with God by exploring new ways of praying.
- Individuals curious about the historical and spiritual wisdom of the Church’s diverse mystical tradition.
- Seekers looking for practical tools to enrich their personal and communal prayer experiences.
- Anyone who desires to integrate prayer into the rhythms of their daily life more intentionally.
Course Requirements
The School of Prayer is open to all who wish to deepen their experience and knowledge of prayer and to explore the journey of prayer with others.
Requirements for the course are:
- Commitment to one’s prayer life
- Heartfelt desire to draw from the rich tradition of the Church’s mystical tradition in deepening one’s prayer experience
- Attendance (we understand that life does sometimes get in the way)
Key Features
The following are the key features of our unique programme.
- Online: All sessions are delivered online making access to it from anywhere in the world possible.
- On demand: As all learning resources and videos of recorded sessions are available online, this makes it possible for people with various jobs and other commitments to have access to the programme anytime and from anywhere without needing to give up these other commitments.
- Focused in Structure and Approach: The course modules taught over a ten-month period by seasoned experts explore in depth the essential aspect in the topic of prayer and spiritual formation. They are delivered with sustained momentum which facilitates continuous learning while allowing dedicated time for exploring and experiencing the key features in the contemplative practice of prayer.
- Contemplative in Focus: The programme is intent on introducing participants to, and immersing them in, formats of learning and the practice of prayer that will encourage them to grow in intimacy with God and in their own capacity for contemplative awareness, which is a way of being, living, seeing, listening and perceiving reality in an integrated and holistic fashion.
- Authentically Catholic: Our Programme is based on an understanding of prayer in the Catholic Tradition rooted in Sacred Scripture.
- Ecumenical in Outreach: Christians of all faith traditions are welcome on the Programme and our selection process deliberately encourages this diversity. Our Programme recognises that the Spirit is at work in all Christian traditions and so offers a a forum where the mutual enrichment of Christians from diverse faith traditions, ministerial experiences, as well as educational and cultural backgrounds, can be made possible.
- Carmelite Tradition as Foundation: Our Programme is founded on a tradition with an 800-year history from which has emerged a host of great saints and writers who have enriched the Church and guided countless pilgrims along the road of prayer. Saint Teresa of Avila is officially known in the Church as the Doctor of Prayer in recognition of her eminent teaching on prayer and the spiritual life. Her work and those of other saints in the Carmelite tradition such as John of the Cross, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Thérèse of Lisieux, Elizabeth of the Trinity and Edith Stein illuminate so compellingly the disciplines appropriate to the life of prayer: solitude, silence, community, contemplation, presence, listening and discernment.
- Led by Seasoned Practitioners: All who contribute to our programme – speakers, mentors and facilitators – are experts in their fields with many years of experience in striving to lead a dedicated prayer life. Each member of the team has completed the required formation in the Carmelite contemplative tradition and is faithful to living a contemplative lifestyle (a mindful attunement to the Divine Presence and integration of prayer practices into their daily lives).
- Accompanier-Guided: Throughout the Programme, personal and interpersonal care remain in view. The accompanier’s role is to support and assist course participants, both one-on-one and in a small group. Accompaniers help to facilitate participants’ engagement with the learning process, integration of the insights from shared guidance and discernment of the journey towards ownership of the gift of prayer.
- Experiential and Practical Learning: Each course module facilitates experiential and practical learning by providing opportunities for growth and integration gained from personal reflection and communal activities.
- Individually Guided Prayer: Online prayer guidance will be offered as an essential part of the School of Prayer, and the Week of Online Individually Guided Prayer will be an integral part of the course.
DATES AND TOPICS – 2026
Forms and Traditions of Prayer
Session 1: Saturday August 15th 2026
Benedictine Tradition and Prayer – Discover the Benedictine focus on balance, rhythm, and community, and how these principles shape prayer.
Session 2: Saturday August 29th 2026
Lectio Divina and Spiritual Journaling – Learn the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (sacred reading) and how to integrate spiritual journaling into your prayer.
Session 3: Saturday September 12th 2026
Franciscan Tradition and Prayer – Embrace the Franciscan emphasis on simplicity, gratitude, and care for creation as a foundation for prayer.
Session 4: Saturday September 26th 2026
Vision Divina and the Inspiration from Nature – Experience God through visual meditation and the wonder of creation, inspired by the Franciscan tradition.
Session 5: Saturday October 10th 2026
Ignatian Tradition and Prayer – Explore Ignatius of Loyola’s approach to prayer, emphasizing discernment, reflection, and finding God in all things.
Session 6: Saturday October 24th 2026
Imaginative Prayer and Guided Meditation – Engage the imagination as a tool for deepening your encounter with Scripture and God.
Session 7: Saturday November 7th 2026
Augustinian Tradition and Prayer – Reflect on the Augustinian call to interiority, unity, and a heart that rests in God.
Session 8: Saturday November 21st 2026
Prayer and the Inspiration for Community – Discover the power of praying together in community, fostering unity and shared spiritual growth.
Session 9: Saturday December 5th 2026
Dominican Tradition and Prayer – Dive into the Dominican love for study, preaching, and contemplation as expressions of prayer.
Session 10: Saturday December 21st 2026
Contemplative Rosary – Reimagine the Rosary as a contemplative and transformative prayer practice.
Schedule
Saturdays 3:00-6:00pm Ireland/UK time (US time 7-10 am Pacific / 10am-1pm Eastern)
2:45pm – zoom opens
3:00pm – 3:05pm Welcome, Introduction and Opening Prayer
3:05pm – 3:40pm Session One
3:40pm – 3:50pm Break
3:50pm – 4:25pm Session Two
4:25pm – 4:45pm Break
4:45pm – 5:15pm Small Group Conversation
5:15pm – 5:40pm Guide/Silent Prayer
5:40pm – 6:00pm Feedback, Questions and Closing Prayer
Registration and Next Steps
To register, please choose a payment option below.
Any questions, please email admin@carmelite.org.uk
Cost
Over 2 monthly payments
£175
(For alternative payment options,
please call us on 07849 596572 or email: admin@carmelite.org.uk)