Come, Lord Jesus: Praying with Poetry for Advent
Advent is a season of longing, of waiting in hope, of sometimes embracing darkness. These are feelings that take us beyond words and into prayer. This Friends Day, we will use the words of several poets to lead us into prayer. The day will include brief presentations and readings to show how poets’ words can take us to a deeper place, with invitations to corporate silence and optional writing.
All are welcome to attend the Friends Day of Prayer retreats, held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month. It is not required to attend every month, so register for one or more sessions as your schedule allows. While the presenters and topics vary, each Friends Day of Prayer typically includes pastries and conversation at 9:30am, a morning presentation at 10am, an optional Mass, a delicious lunch, short periods of free time to enjoy the grounds or shop in the bookstore, and an afternoon presentation.
Kathleen Henderson Staudt, Ph.D., SCHC works as a teacher, poet, spiritual director and retreat leader in the greater Washington, DC area. She serves as adjunct faculty in theological studies at Virginia Theological Seminary and has taught frequently in the Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute. A poet and writer, Kathy has published four volumes of original poetry, including her recent title, Viriditas: New and Selected Poems (2023). She has published two books and many articles on the British Catholic artist and poet David Jones, as well as writings on Christian spirituality and practice, most recently Shaping a Faithful Life: Discernment and Discipleship for Young Adults (2021). Kathy is a Companion in the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross (SCHC). Her website is KathleenStaudtPoet.com.