Patricia Knight-Bellisle

An experienced spiritual director, graduating from the Spiritual Life Center’s internship program in 2018 after she retired as an attorney. She is a long-time practitioner of Centering Prayer and learned the technique from a student of Basil Pennington. She met Basil Pennington at St. Joseph’s Abbey and this experience confirmed for her the value of a contemplative practice. She practiced Zen mediation for eight years at the New Haven Zen Center while remaining rooted in Catholic tradition. She has facilitated both Centering Prayer and Bridges groups in her home parishes. She joined Connecticut Legal Services as an attorney in 1987 to practice public housing defense and to do tenant organizing in Bridgeport, Connecticut. While serving in Legal Aide, Tricia also completed a candidacy year with the Newburgh Dominicans (now the Dominicans of New Hope). She has chaired our Fundraising Committee and has been responsible for our annual dinner/event.