Fr. Julian Studden’s The Psalms as a Way of Prayer Lenten Mission retreat has been conceptualized with the frustrated beseechers of the Lord in mind. 

Understanding some are maddened by the challenge of adopting a non-distracted mentality, this three-session retreat at St. Joseph’s Parish in Calgary, from April 7-9, imparts that the psalms can be used to orient your heart and mind for a meaningful prayer experience.

“The psalms are a part of the prayer life for the Church and in Jesus’ life, therefore we look at it as part of our life,” said Studden, the Diocese of Calgary’s vicar of the permanent diaconate. “The takeaway message is that we need to pray together as the body of Christ, and as individuals, and the best book that can help us is the psalms.”

The first evening is devoted to a basic introduction to the Book of Psalms. Attendees will examine and pray Psalms 8, 24, 66 and 103 — all antiphons praising God as Lord, Creator and deliverer. Participants will be asked to reflect on how these hymns of exultation resonate with them.

Studden intends to share his seven ways of reciting the psalms to cultivate a godly way of life. While not wanting to divulge his whole presentation, Studden imparted that you could use the psalms to inspire a hunger for the Lord and turn to this book to become a more holistic meditator of the Word that became flesh.

Night two examines the psalms that King David penned — Psalms 11, 23, 131, 63 and 91 — when he sought the Lord’s comfort and safeguarding. Psalms 23 and 91 are the most cherished.

The former enlightens us how “the Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.” The latter affirms that those who abide in our Heavenly Father’s shelter and shadow will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Session three centres on penitential psalms that evoke sorrow over our transgressions. Psalms 6, 38, 51 and 130 have been used to help the faithful prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Notably, King David wrote Psalm 51 after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan over adulterous conduct with Bathsheba. David urged God to “wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

Studden will also discuss the psalms he has turned to in times of adversity. Psalm 105 praises how God uplifted the House of Jacob, particularly his son who rose from imprisonment to authority.

“The psalm is talking about Joseph, who was sold in slavery,” said Studden. “It's referring to him. I apply this to myself. I'm also sold to (the) slavery of sin. As Joseph was released from his pain and made the governor of Egypt, second in command after the king — God gives grace to us. The psalm said here, the word of the Lord tested him. So, the word of the Lord is testing us also to bring out the very best in us.”

Studden added that “all we have to do is put the (psalms) into our daily lives and relationships.”

“We come to understand that what the psalmist is saying is really what we want to see in our lives,” said Studden. “We offer that prayer to Christ, and unite it with the life of Christ so that the life of Christ becomes visible in each one of us.”