Contemplative Prayer
On March 11-15, CFC Vietnam hosted a series of talks on Contemplative Prayer by Sister Mary Niere OCD. Participants from all over Ho Chi Minh City, including our brothers and sisters from the Divine Mercy Apostolate, attended this seminar. It was an event full of learning and laughter as we listened to the incisive wisdom and witty anecdotes of Sister Niere.
The basic question that was on everybody’s mind before the talk started was, “What is contemplative prayer?” St. Theresa defined it as “nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.”6 Contemplative prayer seeks Him whom our soul loves. It is Jesus, and in Him, the Father. We seek Him, because to desire Him is always the beginning of love, and we seek Him in that pure faith which causes us to be born of Him and to live in Him. In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but our attention is fixed on the Lord himself”
Contemplative prayer is a simple expression of the mystery of prayer. According to Sister Niere, words in this kind prayer are not speeches but rather just simple words that best support our intention to be in the Lord’s presence. Basically the main purpose of contemplative prayer is to clear our minds of rational thought in order to focus on the in-dwelling presence of God. It is a prayer of silence where the Father speaks to us his incarnate Word.
Sister Niere further discussed the 7 stages of prayer and the challenges that we will encounter as we try to go beyond the natural levels and into the supernatural levels.
The talks culminated with a discussion on personality development and the various personality types. The main takeaway that Sister Niere taught us on this topic is for us to reflect on what personality type we are, be mindful of our weaknesses and to make the necessary personality adjustments if necessary. As St. John of the Cross espoused, we should be “inclined to do what is most difficult.”
As the seminar drew to a close, a participant wished that Sister Niere can visit and enlighten us once again in the near future. Sister Niere lovingly smiled and said that she’s already 78 years old and who knows where God will send her to speak His word.
We were indeed lucky to have been witness to a daughter of God overflowing with His grace and boundless wisdom.
Thank you Sister Niere and God Bless.
By: Bro. Jan Chavez
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