Workshop for Recollection and Contemplative Prayer
Israel Centeno
A 20-Minute Daily Practice Inspired by Saint Teresa of Ávila & Saint Catherine of Siena
Introduction
This contemplative workshop is designed as a 20-minute daily practice for those seeking inner stillness, spiritual depth, and a deeper sense of surrender. Drawing from the poetry of Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint Catherine of Siena, the practice will guide participants through prayerful reading, reflection, and silence as a pathway to contemplation.
Each session follows a simple four-part structure:
1. Opening Stillness (5 minutes) – Breathing & Centering
2. Sacred Reading (5 minutes) – Prayerful Recitation of the Poem
3. Silent Contemplation (5 minutes) – Resting in the Words
4. Personal Reflection (5 minutes) – Journaling or Meditative Response
Structure of the Daily Practice (20 Minutes Total)
1. Opening Stillness (5 minutes) – Centering in the Present
• Find a quiet place.
• Sit comfortably with your back straight, hands resting in your lap.
• Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths.
• As you inhale, invite peace. As you exhale, release any distractions.
• Gently repeat a phrase in your mind, such as “Let nothing disturb me” or “All is consecrated in You.”
2. Sacred Reading (5 minutes) – Recitation of the Poem
Choose one of the following poems to read aloud slowly, allowing each word to resonate in your heart.
Day 1 & 4: Saint Teresa of Ávila – Let Nothing Disturb You
“Let nothing disturb you,
let nothing frighten you,
all things will pass away.
God never changes;
patience obtains all things,
whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices. Amen.”
Day 2 & 5: Saint Teresa of Ávila – I Am Yours
“I am Yours, and born for You,
What do You want of me?
Majestic Sovereign,
Unending Wisdom,
Kindness pleasing to my soul,
God sublime, One being Good,
Behold this wretched slave,
In Your hands I lay my heart.”
Day 3 & 6: Saint Catherine of Siena – All is Consecrated in You
“All is consecrated in You,
O eternal Truth, O boundless Love.
My soul is nothing without You,
Yet in You, I am made whole.
You are the fire that burns but does not consume,
The wellspring that quenches my thirst.
In You, my being is surrendered,
And I am lost, yet truly found.
O Love beyond all telling,
Let my heart be a vessel of Your will,
And may my life be a hymn of praise,
For You alone are enough.”
3. Silent Contemplation (5 minutes) – Resting in the Words
• Close your eyes and sit in silence.
• Allow the words of the poem to settle in your soul.
• If your mind wanders, gently return to a word or phrase from the poem.
• Simply rest in God’s presence, letting go of thoughts or expectations.
4. Personal Reflection (5 minutes) – Journaling or Meditative Response
• Take a moment to write a thought, feeling, or insight from the experience.
• Reflect on how the poem speaks to your life today.
• Consider:
• What word or phrase stood out to me?
• How can I live this message today?
• What do I feel invited to surrender or trust?
Closing Blessing
End your practice by saying quietly:
“God alone suffices.”
Final Notes & Encouragement
This 20-minute practice can be done daily or weekly as part of a personal spiritual journey. It is not about achieving anything but rather about making space for stillness, trust, and divine presence.
