As you read this, I am on retreat with my brother bishops from dioceses in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., the Virgin Islands, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Archdiocese for the Military Services.
I am grateful for this time of spiritual renewal. In fact, I would feel miserable if I didn’t take time for the retreat. Even as a young priest, I looked forward to this opportunity offered in the Archdiocese of Washington each January. It is a respite in the middle of winter after a busy fall, Advent, Christmas season and the start of the new year.
It provides a pause where we can catch our breath and get recentered in our faith through prayer and reflection as we prepare for Lent and the Easter season. As the ebb and flow of the pastoral year for the diocese and our parishes centers around the liturgical seasons, the retreat fits nicely between the two semesters.
As I write about the importance of retreats, I recognize that making a week-long retreat is not something that is within reach for most people. Family responsibilities and jobs are a higher priority – as they should be.
However, parishes often provide missions featuring speakers who reflect on faith and inspire parishioners to better live their faith. These missions are offered during Lent, if not at other times of the year. With a commitment of several hours over a couple of days, they provide participants a spiritual immersion that feeds one’s spiritual life.
During my years as pastor, I recall one of my perpetual concerns was that while the parish provided opportunities for adult faith formation or a mission, people didn’t always take advantage of them. Some couldn’t participate due to demands in other areas of their lives; others just weren’t interested in these occasions for spiritual renewal. This would result in attendance by a small group.
Should your parish or a neighboring parish provide these opportunities, I strongly encourage you to participate. Consider them a moment for catching your breath when life is most hectic and overwhelming.
What if, in addition to your weekly attendance at Mass, you were willing to commit one hour per month to your spiritual health? A growing number of parishes in our diocese are offering Eucharistic adoration. Imagine what effect being in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament for one hour could have on your life! If your parish is among those offering Eucharistic adoration, I encourage you to commit one hour a month to this devotion to pray and grow closer to Our Lord.
It is possible to build a simple retreat experience into your daily life. Intentional prayer at various times, e.g., upon rising in the morning, before meals, or before retiring at night, can provide the pauses you need to step back spiritually from busyness and to center your gratitude on God.
Technology can aid us in developing our own retreat experience. Our cellphones and computers provide easy access to the vast treasure of reading, from the Church fathers to great spiritual writers. Apps and websites link us to material that can help us deal with the challenges and obligations of daily life. They help us keep our perspective on the spiritual life, guiding us in preparing for our eternal destiny.
Just as our lives are seasoned with moments of refreshment through exercise, relaxation and time spent with family or friends, so, too, should our lives include pauses for spiritual reflection through any of the resources – especially Mass and the sacraments – that are available to us.
Know that while I am on retreat, our diocese will be in my prayers as we prepare to celebrate this Holy Year, immersing ourselves in the opportunities we will have to deepen our faith and grow closer to Christ.