Proof in the Pudding: A Lenten experience of Daily Prayer in a Parish setting

During Lent, the school which I work at offered ‘Lenten Communal Prayer’. I lead proceedings and found the process to be a positive experience of Daily Prayer based on the Liturgy of the Hours.

It demonstrated to me the adaptability of the Hours, and, in light of my previous blog, the proof that the Daily Prayer of the Church does not need to be an exclusive liturgical activity relegated to members of the clergy.

On the contrary, what was one of the most refreshing aspects of this experience of prayer was that it was open to many different types of people.

It was initiated at the school level and was open to students and staff. However, the location for ‘Lenten Communal Prayer’ was held in the neighbouring parish Church [pictured] of St Luke’s, Noarlunga. This in turn was an avenue for parishioners to join those already gathered – which they did. Therefore, weekly gatherings were a cross section of staff, students and parishioners and there was a wonderful sense of community and shared faith.

The structure of the prayer, revolved around the use of sung psalmody. A selected psalm refrain was interspersed throughout proceedings and also sung in full. Below is the structure that was used:

Sign of the Cross
Sung Psalm Refrain
Opening Prayer
Psalm [sung]
Gospel
Silence
Reflection
General Intercessions
The Lord’s Prayer
Sign of Peace
Sung Psalm Refrain
Dismissal

The length of our time together was relatively short...between 15 and 20 minutes. It was held during lunchtime on Wednesdays allowing students to come along if they wished. The average number of people who met was approximately 15, some of which were students who are in the process of becoming full members of the Church...so the experience for them was particularly special.

I was heartened by this experience and see no reason why it be a seasonal venture.

The possibility for it continuing in an ongoing basis is real and I look forward to developing the idea building on the experience of this past season of Lent.