The Janssen Spirituality Centre is happy to host this web page for the Centering Prayer Network (Victoria).
What is Centering Prayer Network Victoria?
The Centering Prayer Network (Victoria) (CPNV) shares the same vision as Contemplative Outreach Groups around the world, namely:
It is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities across Australia. The members of these communities endeavor to live the contemplative dimension of the Gospel. Many of these praying groups are ecumenical and provide a warm and welcoming environment for christians of all denominations to pray together
Our purpose is to share the method of Centering Prayer and its immediate conceptual background. We also encourage the practice of Lectio Divina, particularly its movement into Contemplative Prayer, which a regular and established practice of Centering Prayer facilitates.
We identify with the Christian Contemplative heritage. While we are formed by our respective denominations, we are united in our common search for God and the experience of the living Christ through Centering Prayer. We affirm our solidarity with the contemplative dimension of other religions and sacred traditions, with the needs and rights of the whole human family, and with all creation.
We also develop resources and programmes to further the spiritual growth of our members and the network.
What is Centering Prayer?
Centering Prayer is a way of praying designed to facilitate the development of Contemplative Prayer by preparing our faculties to receive this gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a way of praying, which was first recommended by the early Christians, especially by the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert.
Centering Prayer is based on the wisdom saying of Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount: . . . But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you. Matthew 6.6 (New American Bible).
Whenever the early Christians prayed, they were reminded of the words of the Psalmist, Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). Centering Prayer shows people how to nurture this inner stillness.
To learn more about Centering Prayer, click on Read More>>
Centering in Prayer
Centering in prayer is as old as the history of prayer in Christianity. The tradition of centering on a single word or phrase is found in the earliest writings of the dessert mothers and fathers. The ancient tradition of asking an Abba (a dessert Father) or an Amma (a desert Mother) for a word is based on Jesus's own sacred word to God as 'Abba'.
Lectio Divina
Fr Thomas Keating OCSO defines Lectio Divina as: reading or more exactly, listening to the book we believe to be divinely inspired. In this way we hear the word of God in the scriptures. It is the most ancient method of developing friendship with Christ by using scripture texts as topics of conversation with him.
Lectio, as it is commonly known, literally means 'divine reading'. It is an ancient practice of praying the scriptures. During Lectio the practitioner listens to the text of the Bible with the 'ear of the heart'. as if he or she is in conversation with God and God is suggesting the topics for discussion.
To learn more about Lectio Divina, click on Read More>>
Centering Prayer Leaders in Australia
There are Centering Prayers Leaders in most Australian states and territories. To contact a Centering Prayer leader near you, click on READ MORE>>
Centering Prayer Newsletters:
The Centering Prayer Network Australia Newsletter is produced quarterly. For a .pdf copy of earlier editions, Read More>>
Contact us:
For further information, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
