Welcome to Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh


"Silence is God's first language -

Everything else is a poor translation"         Thomas Keating


  • Contemplative Outreach Pittsburgh is a chapter of Contemplative Outreach Ltd--a worldwide network of individuals and small groups committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel in daily life
  • Our core practice is Centering Prayer, a silent prayer practice which opens us to the gift of contemplation, a deep relationship with God, beyond words, permeating every aspect of our lives.   
  • The intent of Contemplative Outreach is to foster the process of transformation in Christ in one another through the practice of Centering Prayer.


Prayer Goups

There are 15 Centering Prayer groups in the wider Pittsburgh Area. More information and contacts are HERE

Retreats, Events, and Courses

We offer in-person retreats and shorter programs. Individually we participate in in-person retreats offered by retreat houses and Contemplative Outreach Chapters that are accessible from Pittsburgh. 

In addition, there are many online retreats in the wider Contemplative Outreach Community. Click HERE for more information

Introductory Talks and Workshops

The best way to learn Centering Prayer is to have someone introduce it to you. We offer both introductory presentations and introductory workshops.

  Be still, and know that I am God



Contemplative Prayer

We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. But this is only one expression. In the Christian tradition contemplative prayer is considered to be the pure gift of God. It is the opening of mind and heart - our whole being - to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, or emotions. Through grace we open our awareness to God whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing, and closer than consciousness itself. Contemplation is not a special state "achieved" in moments of silence, but it is the deep relationship with the "ground of our being", unfolding in each moment of our lives.

Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to receive this gift. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts a new light and depth of meaning to them. It is at the same time a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. This method of prayer is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with him. Practicing Centering Prayer is like gardening - we water, weed, and tend regularly, allowing for the beautiful flower of contemplation to grow, but the flower itself, its growth, its beauty, its aliveness, is a pure gift.