Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Year of Faith Vocation Discernment Retreat Passport held all the information needed to set a direction July 14-16, 2013.
Retreatants were first of all reminded:
"Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally." (St. Francis Letter to the Entire Order)
After having hand-stamped each others passport-retreat booklets with a favorite scripture text, all were introduced to Father Brian Walker, OP who was preaching a silent retreat to our Sisters with the theme: The Voice of the Spirituals. Father incorporated the use of African American spirituals and encouraged their place in society no matter what our background.
St. Bonaventure's feast day became a natural Franciscan focus. The 9 lessons from this saint's The Zeal for Prayer and the Spirit of Prophecy were offered for reading and reflection.
Because this was a Year of Faith event, the renewal of Baptismal Promises near Silver Lake was fundamental to the days of retreat.
Words of Ilia Delio, OSF from Franciscan Prayer were also highlighted and seemed to summarize the experience: Franciscan prayer is evangelizing. It is an awakening to the Good News of Jesus Christ and to the love of God poured out for us in Christ. Those who seek God along the path of Franciscan prayer are to be transformed by the one they seek, the one they claim to love.
Retreatants were first of all reminded:
"Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally." (St. Francis Letter to the Entire Order)
After having hand-stamped each others passport-retreat booklets with a favorite scripture text, all were introduced to Father Brian Walker, OP who was preaching a silent retreat to our Sisters with the theme: The Voice of the Spirituals. Father incorporated the use of African American spirituals and encouraged their place in society no matter what our background.
Because this was a Year of Faith event, the renewal of Baptismal Promises near Silver Lake was fundamental to the days of retreat.
Words of Ilia Delio, OSF from Franciscan Prayer were also highlighted and seemed to summarize the experience: Franciscan prayer is evangelizing. It is an awakening to the Good News of Jesus Christ and to the love of God poured out for us in Christ. Those who seek God along the path of Franciscan prayer are to be transformed by the one they seek, the one they claim to love.
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