The Chicago District hosted “A Day of Recollection” with Fr. Larry Janowski on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the Garden Chalet in Chicago Ridge, IL.
Fr. Larry shared reflections on prayer and one’s relationship with God as it relates to prayer. He further explained the differences between reflective prayer (think reflection, vocal or mental word-centered), affective prayer (more inclusive of emotion than reflection but still uses words) and contemplative prayer (beyond words and thoughts with feeling a profound and simple union with God). Fr. Larry also reflected on Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister’s definition of prayer, which she describes as consciousness (awareness of God), immersion (falling into God) and relationship (connection with God, eventually melting into God completely). He also shared with the group a short pamphlet on centering prayer, which was a wonderful take-away for the group as they began to further enrich their prayer relationship with God.
Fr. Larry is a native Chicagoan, alumnus of St. Michael the Archangel Slovak Parish in Chicago and has been a Franciscan Friar (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province) for over 40 years. He is the author of several books of poetry and currently teaches poetry at Loyola University Chicago, while also being the co-chaplain at the Felician Sisters’ motherhouse in Chicago and assisting on weekends at St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield, IL.
The day ended with the celebration of Mass and a good road map for enhancing one’s current relationship with God through a daily life of prayer.
To view photos from this event, check out the Photo Gallery on the Chicago District Web site.
