In this series we will explore five seminal figures in the history of Christian spirituality. Each represents a different approach to the spiritual life. Each resonates in different ways with the needs, complexities, and challenges of life in the twenty-first century.

Each presentation will consist of three parts. First there will be a power-point presentation focused on the life of the particular saint: who is this person, how did he/she live, and what lies at the heart of his/her approach to spirituality? Second, a key aspect of that saint's spiritual perspective will be identified and connected to issues in the twenty-first century. Third, we will get to interact with this issue/perspective in various ways; e.g., via conversation, through a group exercise, by participating in a liturgy, etc.

To be more specific:

March 4: St. Francis of Assisi (with a nod to Clare of Assisi) (Franciscan spirituality): In Francis we find a spirituality of action (over against a spirituality of contemplation). He was on the go; he loved nature; he preached to the animals; he hugged lepers; and he lived a life of absolute poverty. How does his call to renunciation help us in this era of financial decline? We will discuss together the vision of Francis in the light of Thomas Friedman's new book: Hot, Flat, and Crowded.

March 11: St. Patrick of Ireland (Irish spirituality): In Patrick we find an everyday spirituality that connects deeply with the rhythms of life. When he returned to Ireland after his long captivity there, he came as a Bishop with a band of friars who established communities all over Ireland, and in so doing restructured village life and launched a new era of art, music, and poetry. We will explore the Celtic vision and learn to write everyday prayers.

March 18: St. Benedict of Nursia (Benedictine spirituality): In Benedict we find the person who was able to tame and focus the chaos of desert spirituality and establish by means of his Rule a new way of being together in community that combined work, prayer, and worship. We will explore how the Liturgy of the Hours (fixed-hour prayer) connects with daily spirituality in our ordinary settings

March 25: St. Ignatius of Loyola (Ignatian spirituality): In Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, we find a person who helped make contemplative spirituality accessible to all via his Spiritual Exercises. We will explore one aspect of his teaching on prayer, namely how to engage with Jesus on an imaginative level and so grow our relationship with Jesus.

April 1: St. Julian of Norwich (Mystical spirituality): In Julian we encounter a woman whose life was shaped by a series of sixteen visions that took place over the span of 24 hours. She became an anchorite, living in a cell beside a church in Norwich, England and serving as a spiritual director to many during the era of the black plague. Her visions raise the whole question of numinous encounters with God and the tension between doctrine and experience. We will reflect together on the question of mysticism.

The Lenten Series meets for the five (5) Wednesday evenings indicated, beginning with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. and adjourns at 8:30 p.m. Nursery and childcare are available by reservation only – you'll need to sign up ahead of time on the patio on Sundays.