School of Prayer Course Level II

About the Course

Building on the foundational principles explored in Level 1, the next level – Level 2: The Experience of Prayer – invites you to deepen your spiritual journey. This advanced course is designed to support those who wish to explore more deeply the transformative power of prayer.

In Level 2, we transition from understanding the basic principles of prayer to experiencing its profound depths and dynamics. Participants will be encouraged to keep a prayer journal of their own experience as they seek to cultivate a more intimate relationship with God.

  • Deep Dive into Prayer Journalling: Explore your prayer experience through prayer journalling and learn how to integrate insights gained into your daily life.
  • Guided Spiritual Exercises: Participate in guided spiritual retreats designed to enhance your prayer experience and foster a deeper sense of God’s presence.
  • Personal Reflection and Sharing: Reflect on your personal prayer journey through journaling and group sharing sessions, enriching your experience through community insights and support.
  • Expert Guidance: Benefit from the wisdom and expertise of experienced Carmelite spiritual directors who will guide you through the subtleties of advanced prayer practices.
  • Interactive Sessions: Engage in interactive, live sessions that include teachings, practical exercises, and group discussions.
  • Practical Assignments: Undertake practical assignments that encourage you to apply what you have learned in your personal prayer life.
  • Supportive Community: Join a supportive community of fellow participants who share a commitment to deepening their prayer lives.

This course is ideal for individuals who have completed the Foundations of Prayer course and are ready to deepen their prayer practice. Whether you are a layperson, a member of the clergy, or a religious, Level 2 will provide you with the tools and experiences needed to enhance your spiritual journey.

By the end of the course, participants will have:

  • A deeper understanding and experience of the dynamics of contemplative prayer.
  • Enhanced ability to enter into and sustain contemplative prayer.
  • A richer, more intimate relationship with God.
  • Practical tools to integrate advanced prayer practices into daily life.

Join us for the School of Prayer – Level 2: The Experience of Prayer, and take the next step in your spiritual journey with CACS. Rediscover the transformative power of prayer and experience the profound peace and presence of God in your everyday life.

Key Features

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.
Level I Course Dates

Course Dates Level II

The Experience of Prayer

DATES & TOPICS

Session 1: Saturday August 17th

·      Prayer: An Invitation to Love

Session 2: Saturday August 31st

·      Prayer: A Yielding to Love

Session 3: Saturday September 14th

·      Prayer: A Reconciliation in Love 

Session 4: Saturday September 28th

·      Prayer: A Safeguarding in Love

Session 5: Saturday October 12th

·      Prayer: The Experience of Purifying Formation 

Session 6: Saturday October 26th

·      Prayer and the Journey in Truth (Humility)

Session 7: Saturday November 2nd

·      Prayer: The Experience of Illuminating Reformation

Session 8: Saturday November 16th

·      Prayer and the Virgin Eye (Detachment)

Session 9: Saturday November 30th

·      Prayer: The Experience of Unifying Transformation

Session 10: Saturday December 14th

·      Prayer and Self-Gift (Charity)

Programme Schedule

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

STEP 1:

To register please complete the registration form.
Any questions please email admin@carmelite.org.uk

STEP 2:

Proceed to payment

Cost

One off payment

£350

Cost

Over 2 monthly payments

£175

(For alternative payment options,
please call us on 07849 596572 or email: admin@carmelite.org.uk)