February 23, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

4:00-5:15 p.m. in the Chapel Room

This study will explore a group of Holy Week chants and liturgies developed by the Episcopal House of Prayer in Collegeville, Minnesota, and Episcopal priest Cynthia Bourgeault. The perspective of the liturgies is one of Jesus’ work during Holy Week as being voluntarily chosen self-sacrifice, the spiritual path of conscious love. For some Christians this provides a welcome alternative to an atonement-based Christology.

This perspective and these liturgies pull Mary Magdalene from a peripheral position to the heart of these events:  the anointing early in the week and at the entombment, her

faithful vigil at the Cross and tomb, her joyful surprise at the Resurrection. Last fall the contemplative community at St. Michael’s studied Bourgeault’s latest book, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene:  Discovering the Woman at the Heart of Christianity and are now

eager to explore new rituals that embody this understanding. Leader Helen Daly has been in training with the Rev. Bourgeault since 2007 and will participate in these Holy Week Liturgies at the Episcopal House of Prayer in April.

Please join us; it’s not necessary to have been part of the study last fall. The book, Contemplative Liturgies for Holy Week, is available at www.ehouseofprayer.org for $15.