A retreat is a withdrawal from ordinary activities for a period of time to commune with God in prayer and reflection. Jesus spent forty days in the desert in prayer and fasting before entering his public ministry. In the early Christian era, the desert, mountains and other remote areas provided places for prayer. Later, people sought solitude in monasteries and convents. In the late 16th century, retreat houses were established and continue to operate today. The liturgical season of Lent with its emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving prepares us for the celebration of Easter. Lent is regarded as a forty day retreat for the whole church.
A retreat might be designed around a theme of Scripture or some spiritual writing that seems suited to the needs of the individuals involved. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola enable retreatants to consider creation, repentance for sin and redemption. They contemplate the life of Christ, his passion and resurrection. Through prayer and discernment they come to a realization of and surrender to God's great plan of salvation in Christ. This structure follows the three traditional ways of spiritual growth: the purgative, the illuminative, and the unitive way.
Another form of retreat is based on the daily Scripture readings assigned in the Lectionary of the Roman Missal. Some make charismatic retreats opening themselves to the gifts of the Spirit. In Cursillo, an overview of the Catholic way of life is given, and community is formed.
There are three general formats for retreats: preached, directed and private. In a preached retreat, there is a leader who offers conferences each day, leads prayer and is available for private counseling. In directed retreats, each person meets with a spiritual director who may suggest scripture passages for prayer and reflection. Private retreats are made without a leader or director.
In most retreats, some degree of silence is maintained and there is an emphasis on the practice of a healthful lifestyle in regard to food, relaxation, and exercise. Many enter a retreat in order to make a serious decision or commitment, or to take the opportunity to examine the quality of their spiritual lives. Retreatants hope for a deeper conversion, purification and spiritual growth. Kay Murdy has a Masters of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary's College. She and her husband Bob are coordinators of the Catholic Bible Institute for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Kay is a regular columnist for Ministry and Liturgy magazine, and the author of numerous books on retreats and spirituality, most recently "What Every Catholic Needs to Know About the Bible," available through Resource Publications, 160 E. Virginia Street #290, San Jose, CA 95112-5876. This article is found on her website: www.daily-word-of-life.com. |