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More than 250,000 excited pilgrims, traffic snarls and the usual city hustle and bustle will mean a
crowded and noisy Sydney for World Youth Day – save for one place, an oasis in the city set aside
for young people to experience silence and contemplation. Pilgrims will have the chance to slow
down in the quiet haven of an inner-city church and learn about Christian Meditation – an ancient
form of prayer.
Young meditators from the Australian Christian Meditation Community have organised the
program in Paddington Uniting Church, a beautiful sandstone church on Oxford Street, to run
during the WYD week.
A Sydney young meditator, Clare Walsh, said the setting will provide an atmosphere of quietness
while at the same time give pilgrims the chance to hear and discuss the teaching of Christian
contemplative prayer.
“In a world that is so noisy, generation X and Y rarely find the time to slow down and experience
silence and stillness,” she said.
“We want to provide that opportunity in a beautiful setting where pilgrims can spend time in silent
reflection as well as learn about Christian meditation, an ancient spiritual tradition dating back to
the Desert Fathers, now widely practiced around the world.”
Clare said Christian Meditation, also called the prayer of the heart, has been revived in recent
years through the teaching of the late John Main, an Irish Benedictine monk. It is now practiced by
people of all ages and varied backgrounds in 110 countries world-wide. In Australia, 386 Christian
Meditation groups meet in towns and cities across the country every week.
“This form of prayer allows a person to connect with God within, through silence and stillness. It
teaches the use of a mantra, or sacred word, to come to the stillness that opens us to the divine,”
she said.
“Meditation allows a person to ‘be’ in the present moment and over time to develop a deeper
sense of self-awareness. John Main said: “in meditation you know who you are because you are
who you are”.
“This is a great gift for young people who are embarking on a journey to discover who they really
are, but perhaps never slow down enough to find out.
“It is a deep, pure form of prayer that so many Christians are seeking today. By taking our
attention away from the distractions of the modern world, it allows us to experience the words of
the Psalmist : “Be Still and know that I am God”.”
Ms Walsh said the contemplative tradition is relevant to everyone today, young and old because it
helps us experience God in all places and dimensions of life.
“It creates a heightened sense of love, compassion and justice. Contemplation goes hand-in-hand
with action,” she said.
The WYD Oasis in the City will present a continuous program including a short film about
meditation, talks, sessions about the body in prayer, reflection on scripture and silent meditation
together.
Fr Laurence Freeman, an English Benedictine monk and Director of the World Community for
Christian Meditation will be present throughout the day to lead talks and speak with pilgrims. Fr
Laurence is a well-known and sought after international speaker and writer on spirituality and
contemplation, and is author of Jesus the Teacher Within.
Giovanni Felicioni, is a member of the World Community for Christian MeditationGuiding Board
and, as a member of the International Rolfing Institute in Munich and a teacher of yoga, is an
expert on relationship of body and spirit. He comes to WYD from his practice in London.
For further information and interviews contact:
Clare Walsh
Phone: 0418 622 081
e-mail: walshc@hri.org.au]
website: www.christianmeditationaustralia.org/wyd.html
DETAILS:
What: An Oasis in the City - a quiet space, learn to meditate in the Christian tradition
Where: Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford Street Paddington
Who: Laurence Freeman osb, Giovanni Felicioni and young meditators
When: 13-19 July, throughout WYD week
crowded and noisy Sydney for World Youth Day – save for one place, an oasis in the city set aside
for young people to experience silence and contemplation. Pilgrims will have the chance to slow
down in the quiet haven of an inner-city church and learn about Christian Meditation – an ancient
form of prayer.
Young meditators from the Australian Christian Meditation Community have organised the
program in Paddington Uniting Church, a beautiful sandstone church on Oxford Street, to run
during the WYD week.
A Sydney young meditator, Clare Walsh, said the setting will provide an atmosphere of quietness
while at the same time give pilgrims the chance to hear and discuss the teaching of Christian
contemplative prayer.
“In a world that is so noisy, generation X and Y rarely find the time to slow down and experience
silence and stillness,” she said.
“We want to provide that opportunity in a beautiful setting where pilgrims can spend time in silent
reflection as well as learn about Christian meditation, an ancient spiritual tradition dating back to
the Desert Fathers, now widely practiced around the world.”
Clare said Christian Meditation, also called the prayer of the heart, has been revived in recent
years through the teaching of the late John Main, an Irish Benedictine monk. It is now practiced by
people of all ages and varied backgrounds in 110 countries world-wide. In Australia, 386 Christian
Meditation groups meet in towns and cities across the country every week.
“This form of prayer allows a person to connect with God within, through silence and stillness. It
teaches the use of a mantra, or sacred word, to come to the stillness that opens us to the divine,”
she said.
“Meditation allows a person to ‘be’ in the present moment and over time to develop a deeper
sense of self-awareness. John Main said: “in meditation you know who you are because you are
who you are”.
“This is a great gift for young people who are embarking on a journey to discover who they really
are, but perhaps never slow down enough to find out.
“It is a deep, pure form of prayer that so many Christians are seeking today. By taking our
attention away from the distractions of the modern world, it allows us to experience the words of
the Psalmist : “Be Still and know that I am God”.”
Ms Walsh said the contemplative tradition is relevant to everyone today, young and old because it
helps us experience God in all places and dimensions of life.
“It creates a heightened sense of love, compassion and justice. Contemplation goes hand-in-hand
with action,” she said.
The WYD Oasis in the City will present a continuous program including a short film about
meditation, talks, sessions about the body in prayer, reflection on scripture and silent meditation
together.
Fr Laurence Freeman, an English Benedictine monk and Director of the World Community for
Christian Meditation will be present throughout the day to lead talks and speak with pilgrims. Fr
Laurence is a well-known and sought after international speaker and writer on spirituality and
contemplation, and is author of Jesus the Teacher Within.
Giovanni Felicioni, is a member of the World Community for Christian MeditationGuiding Board
and, as a member of the International Rolfing Institute in Munich and a teacher of yoga, is an
expert on relationship of body and spirit. He comes to WYD from his practice in London.
For further information and interviews contact:
Clare Walsh
Phone: 0418 622 081
e-mail: walshc@hri.org.au]
website: www.christianmeditationaustralia.org/wyd.html
DETAILS:
What: An Oasis in the City - a quiet space, learn to meditate in the Christian tradition
Where: Paddington Uniting Church, 395 Oxford Street Paddington
Who: Laurence Freeman osb, Giovanni Felicioni and young meditators
When: 13-19 July, throughout WYD week