Sunday July 8th chat focused on retreat experiences and the need for spiritual direction in our lives.
Sister: Welcome to tonight’s chat! The Jul 6-8 retreat posted about a while back took place here in Brooklyn this weekend with 3 wonderful women
Have you been on a spiritual retreat? What was your experience?
Jul 8 2012, 7:10 PM
Guest650 (guest):I am DRE for two parishes, and am in the Lay Ministers program, which requires retreats yearly. I have been on three, but my favorite was a silent retreat.
Jul 8 2012, 7:17 PM
Sister : That’s the specialty of monasteries, silent retreat. I think one hears the Lord most in silence. Was that your experience?
Guest650 (guest): I found a retreat helped me to focus on God in a new way. I already live a fairly contempative lifestyle, but I felt Gods presence strongly on retreat.
Jul 8 2012, 7:20 PM
Sister : That’s a blessing to be a DRE and have a contemplative lifestyle- no doubt your source of strength comes from prayer
Guest650 (guest): I lived behind the Visitation monestary in Mobile, Ala. where I was converted by the nuns prayers and love!
Sister : For ex, there are silent retreats that are nevertheless guided or directed, and then those that are not. There is even a retreat called a Salesian Accompanied retreat
Guest650 (guest): I pray daily for His direction. Last Easter, I said a D. Mercy novena for the first time, and experienced new purpose in life. The Sioux Spiritual Center is run by Jesuits, is a lovely place
Jul 8 2012, 7:32 PM
Sister : The other places that have directors are universities.
Jesuits make great directors- it is their specialty
Jul 8 2012, 7:33 PM
Guest650 (guest): I did not know that. Perhaps I should see if any are available.
Sister : Having a monastic experience is akin to a retreat- yet different too
Guest 2: yes, I have done both and found the monastic experience is much more intense.
Guest650 (guest): I suppose so, since you live closely with others.
Guest650 (guest): how did you have a monastic experience?
Guest 3: I have never been on a retreat but have always wanted to
Guest650 (guest): They are wonderful.
Jul 8 2012, 7:49 PM
Guest 2: you’ll love it. I am in the process of discerning a vocation to a Carmelite monastery. I’ve also visited Benedictine houses, and an Orhodox, and have chatted with Franciscans and , of course, with Sister
Jul 8 2012, 7:52 PM
Guest650 (guest): i am especially drawn to the gentle spirit of Visitation
Guest650 (guest): Sister and I were just talking about how much good spiritual directors are needed. I am looking for one, myself.
Guest 2: there is such a lack of direction, mentorship, priests, sisters…we need so much!
Guest 3: My priest just honestly told me he doesn’t have enough time and he is right
Guest650 (guest): I am in constant contact with my priest, however, as we work together in teaching catechism. I am open to becoming a Director if God leads that way. i already mentor several young mothers. your heart will know where to go, if younpray and take as much time as needed.
sometimes we feel the urge for a vocation long before it is time to actually seek it-a way of preparation lies ahead, and the Lord leads us, even when we do not know where He is taking us or why the delay
Gods creation is eternal, so no time limits, there! However, it is so important to have a Priest or Director, because we cannot always see past our own emotions.
Jul 8 2012, 8:13 PM
Guest 3: Yes, I tend not to trust myself. I always thought it a good thing, but sometimes it is not.