WELLSPRING
Fransalian Center for Spirituality
wellspring reflection theme
SERENITY
We reflected on “purposefulness” as our theme of reflection in 2025. Our theme for Reflection in 2026 is “serenity.” We want to let “serenity” define our character and let it become our way of being present wherever we may be and whatever we may be doing. Words like calmness, peacefulness, quietness, and tranquility have been used to define serenity. Words are inadequate to define serenity. It must be experienced, described and nurtured.
Reflections on serenity tend to focus on accepting what is beyond our ability to change, having the courage to change what we can, and the wisdom to know the difference, as the well-known “serenity prayer” goes. It is one of the finest prayers for serenity rather than a definition of it. Serenity is a soulful quality, a calmness and quietness within, a stillness of the spirit, a communion of body, soul and spirit, a oneness with God within and the universe around.
Serenity is peacefulness amidst the challenges, conflicts, struggles and tensions of life and not their absence. It is nurturing a realistic, calm and gentle approach to life and the world around. It is a quiet and untroubled state of being in harmony within and around, even in the midst of chaos. It is a stillness of the soul and freedom of the spirit and a sense of wellbeing in harmony with God and the world around. It is more about calmness, silence, solitude, stillness, peacefulness and resilience rather than the absence of problems and the destructive and negative emotions they bring.
In our fast-paced world with economic and social problems, political unrest, religious indifference, violence and war and other problems and issues, finding serenity and inner peace may feel like an impossible task. It definitely is not impossible. With a little effort, all of us can find and nurture peace and serenity, whatever may be our life situation. It is important and urgent for us today, in the midst of our busy activities, to take the time to find and cultivate peace and serenity within and attend to our mental and spiritual well-being.
I invite you to join me in this search for serenity within during these troublesome times. I pray for you, and I pray for all who are welcoming the gift of this New Year 2026 with all its doubts and fears and uncertainties. May God bless you and enable you to experience His unfailing and loving presence in your life and may that experience fill you with peace and serenity. I pray that you will discover serenity deep down in your heart and learn to live from this place of serenity. May the New Year 2026 be a year of peace and serenity for you and for all.
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Fr. Gus Tharappel, msfs
WELLSPRING PRAYER FOR 2026
PRAYER FOR SERENITY
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O God, as I begin my day, I place myself into the quietness and stillness of your presence so that, out of this moment, I may take with me a quiet serenity, which will last me through the rough and smooth of my life today and through the year ahead. Many hours of the days, weeks and months are waiting to be filled a hundred ways with a hundred prayers. But, right now, at this very moment, I am at peace. You have blessed and graced my day.
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Thank you, Father, for your promise to be with me until the end of time. Thank you for sending Jesus to tell me that you are our Emmanuel. You are “God-With-Us,” ever present. You have told me that “close behind and close in front you hem me in, shielding me with your hand” and that darkness is not dark for you and night shines as the day.” Your apostle, Paul, tells me that “nothing will separate me from your love.” Your Son, Jesus, has assured me that your spirit will be my advocate and comforter and that He will teach me all I need to know. Your Son, Jesus, prayed for me that “you live in me and I in you.” Knowing these truths fills my soul and gives me peace and serenity. Thank and praise you, Father.
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Father, please remind me of this truth that you are here with me…you are my Emmanuel, God-with me…always. Let this truth sink deep into my heart and carry me through difficult, troublesome and unsettling moments. Let this truth calm my body, my mind and my spirit and bless me with peace and serenity. Father, help me slow down and ease the tensions in my soul when the day’s activities begin to burden me. Remind me to slow down and take a minute vacation to rest my body, calm my soul and fill my spirit with peace and serenity.
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Father, thank you for your steadfast love. Jesus, thank you for your unfailing presence. Holy Spirit, thank you for your constant comfort. Thank you for your gift of peace and serenity.
Amen