Saint Leo University's Prayer & Mindfulness Live Learning Community: A Tradition of Reflection and Connection

Are you interested in learning more about yourself? The Prayer and Mindfulness Living Learning Community will encourage individual growth through different expressions of prayer and meditation, and it will emphasize personal development within a community. 

A Tradition of Peace and Growth

Since its inception in 2014, the Prayer and Mindfulness Living Learning Community (LLC) at Saint Leo University has been a beacon of peace and spiritual growth for its participants. Now entering its 11th year, this LLC holds the distinction of being the longest-running community of its kind on campus, a testament to its enduring impact and the dedication of its members.

The Unique Living Learning Experience

The origins of the Prayer and Mindfulness LLC trace back to a group of students who had engaged in various ministries and yearned to recreate that sense of spiritual connection on campus. They envisioned a community grounded in prayer and mindfulness, where students could cultivate deeper connections with themselves, each other, and their faith. Dr. Thomas Humphries, a respected mentor and long-time professor at Saint Leo University, was invited to guide the group, helping to lay the foundation for what would become an enriching blend of academic and residential life.

The core of this LLC experience is a unique integration of learning and living. Participants take a one-credit-hour class, "Prayer and Mindfulness," in the fall semester, which introduces universal principles of prayer and mindfulness. Through readings and assignments, students explore various prayer practices, selecting one to focus on as part of their personal growth. These practices are rooted in the Benedictine tradition and are common to many religions, making the class accessible and meaningful for students of all backgrounds. 

Examples of practices that students have chosen include (but are not limited to):

1. Unplugging: for a period of 10-12 minutes twice a week students must “unplug,” i.e.  leave all electronics, buildings, and “society” behind (with the exception of a watch or clock to time the period – if you use your phone or other device, you must disable texting, calls, and other forms of contact). Students should sit under a tree, in the Abbey, or in another peaceful place with nothing else. In the Abbey you can hear bells ring every 15 minutes, which could serve as your stopwatch. Absolutely no electronics, no contact with other people, and no books are allowed to enter this period of quiet. Bring no distractions other than your own thoughts and observations. Students may not sleep, but they may keep their eyes closed or open.
2. Abstaining from a select food: once a week (traditionally Friday or Wednesday) students will abstain from a select food. Many religions abstain from certain kinds of meat, but students may also choose to abstain from other foods, like dessert or pizza.
3. Liturgy of the Hours: say Morning Prayer, Midday Prayer, Evening Prayer, or Night Prayer 3 days a week. You can use the “iBreviary” app for free! You may pray with the monks at the Abbey, the nuns at their monastery, on your own, or with other students. These prayers consist mostly of the Psalms and reflecting on other Scripture passages, a tradition open to all the so-called “Abrahamic Faiths” (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).
4. Vigils: once a week (traditionally Saturday) students may block off a 20 minute period of prayer before they would normally wake up. For example, if you usually sleep until 11:00 on Saturday, you would get up 10:15 and pray from 10:30 to 11:00 before watching TV, emailing, texting, or otherwise communicating with others.
5. Rosary: twice a week including once with a group specifically approved by Dr. Humphries. This traditional prayer consists of repeated memorized prayers accompanied by meditations on designated mysteries.

Building a Community of Connection and Continuity

Beyond the classroom, the LLC fosters a tight-knit community that extends throughout the academic year. Students live together on a designated floor, creating an environment that supports quiet reflection and shared experiences. Resident Assistants (RAs) play a vital role in this community, organizing activities and events that deepen the bonds among participants and enhance their mindfulness journeys.

Recruitment for the Prayer and Mindfulness LLC is as unique as the community itself. While Residential Life opens applications to all students, much of the recruitment happens organically, with current members—often sophomores and juniors—encouraging first-year students to join for the following year. This peer-to-peer approach ensures that the community continues to attract individuals who are genuinely invested in its mission.

The LLC also fosters continuity, with a portion of members typically returning for another year. Students who choose to return must retake the class, allowing them to deepen their understanding of prayer and mindfulness while contributing their experience to the community. This cyclical renewal of participants ensures a dynamic and supportive environment where all members can thrive.

A Benedictine Educational Journey

The Saint Leo Prayer and Mindfulness LLC aligns well with our Benedictine tradition. It helps form students especially in the Benedictine Hallmarks of prayer, conversatio-transformation, and community. With the Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities we note that Benedictine education “cultivates a fundamental attentiveness to the ways in which God is present in the human mind and heart and, indeed, in all creation." The design and atmosphere of the Living Learning Community aim to foster a spirit of mindfulness and an experience of being grounded in the transcendent, encouraging everyone to cultivate a life of prayer.

By combining academic inquiry with residential experience, the community offers students a unique opportunity to grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually. For those seeking a deeper connection to prayer and mindfulness, this LLC provides not just a home, but a transformative journey.

For more information about Saint Leo University’s Living Learning Communities, click here for our Guide to Residential Living.