Mar 21 Sat
6 Elements to make a good spiritual retreat.
“Days on retreat. Recollection to know God, to know yourself, and thus to make progress. A necessary time for discovering where and how you should change your life. - What should I do? What should I avoid?"
There are many types of retreats, and many Church organizations offer retreats. They may follow a traditional format, with a priest serving as retreat master, offering spiritual conferences or daily meditations.
Prudent pastoral experience suggests that the following elements are most helpful for a good retreat:
1. Silence. Look for a retreat location that fosters an atmosphere of silence, not as penance, but as a means to listen to the Holy Spirit and get to know Jesus while getting to know yourself.
When you go on retreat, turn off your cell phone and disconnect from all cyber communication. God wants your attention. Others can wait.
2. The Holy Eucharist. Since the Holy Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ, you should attend Mass and receive Holy Communion daily during the retreat. It is also helpful to spend time in silent conversation before the Blessed Sacrament and to participate in the Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament during the retreat.
3. Confession. The annual retreat provides special graces for a deeper examination of conscience, which impels the soul to deeper contrition. As you spend time in silent reflection and examination of conscience, the Holy Spirit will prompt you to confess your sins to the priest.
4. Meditation, directed or personal, and spiritual Reading. What a joy to read the Gospels slowly and silently! How much good does it do to the soul!
Priority should be given to the New Testament, and first and foremost to the Gospels. The soul benefits greatly from reading and reflecting on the words and actions of our blessed Savior.
It is not a matter of “learning” new things, but of listening to something that challenges you and leads you to repent and make resolutions to rectify.
Classics like «The Three Ages of Interior Life» of Reginald Garrigou-LaGrange, «Imitation of Christ» of Thomas á Kempis, the books of St. Josemaría, or «In Conversation with God» of Francis Fernandez Carvajal are good choices for your ‘extra’ reading.
5. Closeness to the Blessed Mother. After Our Lord's ascension into heaven, the apostles gathered around Our Lady and accompanied her in prayer. Ten days later, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit poured out His grace on each of those present in the Upper Room, and thus the Church was born.
During your retreat, take time to pray the rosary daily and meditate deeply on each mystery. By reflecting on the example of the Blessed Mother, you will draw closer to Our Lord.
As your retreat draws to a close, be sure to make some practical and generous resolutions (no more than three) to improve in prayer, apostolate service, and sacrifice. Write these resolutions in your notebook or save them on your phone.
With God's grace and your humble contrition, you will make progress.