Glossary Spiritual life

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PRAYER

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Prayer is giving our attention to God in a two-way spiritual relationship where we talk to God and also listen to Him. The Catechism clearly defines prayer as a "vital and personal relationship with the living and true God" (CCC, no. 2558).

St. John Damascene gave a classic definition of prayer: "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God.” 

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MEDITATION

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Meditation is a form of mental or reflective prayer, involving an extended reflective thought on the presence and activity of God. It is a practice developed by the monastic tradition, which requires stillness of body in order for the mind to be active and fully focused on God.

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CONTEMPLATION

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Contemplation is the simple awareness of and focus upon, the presence of God. It is prayer without words or images.

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LECTIO DIVINA

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Lectio Divina (literally divine reading) is a way of becoming immersed in the Scriptures very personally.

It’s a way of developing a closer relationship with God by reflecting prayerfully on His words. Lectio divina is a slow, rhythmic reading and praying of a Scripture passage.

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VISIO DIVINA

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Visio Divina is translated as “divine seeing”. It is related to the prayer form Lectio Divina (divine reading), but instead of Scripture, this form of prayer uses visual elements to help set your mind on prayer.

Praying through art is a multi-sensory way to connect to God through prayer. Any piece of art can be the subject of reflection. It is not necessary for it to be religious art; however, reflecting on icons has been practiced since ancient times. Drawing on the principles of Lectio Divina, Visio Divina is the slow, thoughtful contemplation of a picture, photo, work of art, or really anything visual that invites God to speak to me in a deeper way.

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SPIRITUALITY

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The quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

Spirituality is characterized by faith, a search for meaning and purpose in life, a sense of connection with others, and a transcendence of self, resulting in a sense of inner peace and well-being.

It also relates to the process of developing beliefs around the meaning of life and connection with others.

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CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

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A Catholic spirituality could reference a spirituality that encompasses a sacramental vision that sees God in all things - other people, communities, movements, events, places, objects, the environment, the world at large, and the whole cosmos.

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CENTERING PRAYER

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Centering prayer is a special method of contemplation in which the person simply attends to the presence of God within - at the centre of one’s being. A mantra or short phrase is sometimes repeated to keep one’s attention centred.

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SPIRITUAL LIFE

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Spiritual life quite simply is the life lived in and with God.