Lebh Shomea as "School of Prayer"
Lord, teach us to pray... (Lk 11:1).
Much can be said or written about prayer. One can speak of schools or traditions of prayer (e.g., Benedictine, Ignatian, Carmelite). One can explore various methods of prayer (e.g., centering, yoga, lectio divina). One can learn about forms or movements of prayer (e.g., charismatic, liturgical, Jesus Prayer). There is truly a history and a theology of prayer.
Although much of this "about prayer" remains useful and in some instances necessary, it still does not equal actually praying.
In its deepest sense, to pray is to remain in loving receptivity to being loved by one's Beloved. To pray is to be lured into intimate loving communion with and by Father, Son and Spirit -- the soul letting itself be drawn consciously and freely. Only God can pray someone and thereby cause that person to pray in return.
Thus, one can be taught about prayer, but one learns to pray only by praying. And that experience is divine gift, grace.
Lebh Shomea as school of prayer then is above all a milieu in which praying takes place in a very intense manner. It is a physical place, a veritable desert into which God leads persons in order to be alone with the indwelling Trinity (Lk 5:16; Ho 2:16). There God teaches them to pray (Lk 11:1).
Lebh Shomea is also a school of prayer in the academic sense. While praying, the pilgrim finds competent spiritual direction, pursues indepth theological reflection and does research about prayer.
Lebh Shomea's Educational Philosophy:
The Tutorial Approach
Two basic principles of education are these: (1) that the student-teacher ratio be as close to one-to-one as possible, and (2) that a major function of the teacher is to promote and to facilitate the student's self-educative process.
The tutorial approach to education is an effective application of those two principles. Tutoring postulates an entirely personalized slant to the learning process. The professor can address him/herself specifically to each student's spiritual, emotional and academic needs. The professor can also guide and challenge the student to become increasingly self-educating. Furthermore, the tutorial approach is the one most suited to the contemplative-eremitical thrust of Lebh Shomea as school of prayer.
Programs Offered at Lebh Shomea
We offer two programs in the study of the theology of Christian spirituality at the House of Prayer.
The first program is a Certificate of Studies in Spirituality. This course of study is equivalent to graduate work in a university. For the student seeking quality education and the opportunity of indepth research in almost any aspect of Christian Ascetical-Mystical Theology (both Eastern and Western), the House of Prayer affords some unique possibilities. The student can obtain a certificate upon the completion of a program of studies equivalent to a semester or more. A semester is estimated to be four months or 12 credit hours. Courses from this program are available also to students who do not wish to obtain a certificate.
The second program offered at Lebh Shomea is a participation in one of the degree programs offered by Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. Through a special arrangement between the School and the House of Prayer, students pursuing degree programs in theology can live at Lebh Shomea and, following the tutorial approach, take certain courses for academic credit at Oblate School of Theology. The details of participation in this program are worked out on an individual basis with the student by Oblate School of Theology and Lebh Shomea.
Lebh Shomea House of Prayer
La Parra Ranch
P.O. Box 9
Sarita, TX 78385-0009
Tel: 361-294-5369 ~ Fax: 361-294-5791
e-mail: info@lebhshomea.org