I have to admit that when I first started to think about writing about meditation as a form of prayer I was definitely skeptical.

Fasting and almsgiving are two pillars of Christian prayer. We normally only hear about them during Lent, when we are called to fast and give alms as part of our Lenten journey.

Growing up Catholic, I never read the Bible except at Mass.

I remember the first time I prayed the Divine Office, or the Liturgy of the Hours.

I would love to be able to say that I have always been close to Mary and have always found comfort in the arms of our Mother, but that has not always been the case.

Ask any of my family members and they will tell you that I’ve always been what you call a talker.

Novenas are something that I have recently come to discover as a form of prayer and have really started to love.

Growing up I knew of two kinds of prayer: quietly praying whatever I was thinking in my head, and group prayer where everyone held hands, we closed our eyes, and one person at a time saying a blessing.