Would you be willing Rachel to describe more of what this retreat looked like for you? How you spent the time? I’ve never done this before, and found a local place, but I would love to know more about what this could look like. Thank you!
Hey Kara! For me, it was just one night and so I tried not to have too many expectations or plans other than: rest, reading a little, and enjoying prayer and meals with the nuns. If I were doing a longer retreat, I might plan some specific reading and writing projects, as well as some time dedicated specifically to lectio divina (spending lots of time in one passage or Psalm, ending with prayer then just sitting quietly at Jesus' feet - something I rarely get to do!)
Thank you! I’m just beginning to explore all of this-it has been eye opening. My kids aren’t little anymore, so definitely in a different place life wise to pursue something like this. I’ve been getting up earlier to practice solitude and contemplative prayer, but was interested in the different setting, and just that feeling of freedom to focus and relax without being interrupted.
Such a beautiful and hospitable place! I did my Spiritual director training there back in the day (2006-8) and spent many happy days strolling the grounds!
We pray less than we might because we tell ourselves the only way to pray is with knees and head bowed and eyes closed. There is value in this. But there is a reason why scripture says pray without ceasing. No need to skip morning prayer or any other prayer time. We need to do whatever it is we Believe we are called to do. But we need to at least pray as we go. There is no need to skip prayer just because it doesn’t look like prayer. God will hear those prayers that we pray even while we are eating chocolate.
A lovely pregnant lady retreat if there ever was one.
Sleep and chocolate 🙌🏻
Love it! And do I spy Christian Wiman's Zero at the Bone in that book stack? I am on a kick with his poetry myself.
Yes! So good.
Would you be willing Rachel to describe more of what this retreat looked like for you? How you spent the time? I’ve never done this before, and found a local place, but I would love to know more about what this could look like. Thank you!
Hey Kara! For me, it was just one night and so I tried not to have too many expectations or plans other than: rest, reading a little, and enjoying prayer and meals with the nuns. If I were doing a longer retreat, I might plan some specific reading and writing projects, as well as some time dedicated specifically to lectio divina (spending lots of time in one passage or Psalm, ending with prayer then just sitting quietly at Jesus' feet - something I rarely get to do!)
Thank you! I’m just beginning to explore all of this-it has been eye opening. My kids aren’t little anymore, so definitely in a different place life wise to pursue something like this. I’ve been getting up earlier to practice solitude and contemplative prayer, but was interested in the different setting, and just that feeling of freedom to focus and relax without being interrupted.
Oh, Rachel, what a perfect gift for you and to you...a very wise ask.
My friend calls napping ”praying the prayer of St. Joseph”
Such a beautiful and hospitable place! I did my Spiritual director training there back in the day (2006-8) and spent many happy days strolling the grounds!
Thank you, Lord for sleep and chocolate… and poems.
We pray less than we might because we tell ourselves the only way to pray is with knees and head bowed and eyes closed. There is value in this. But there is a reason why scripture says pray without ceasing. No need to skip morning prayer or any other prayer time. We need to do whatever it is we Believe we are called to do. But we need to at least pray as we go. There is no need to skip prayer just because it doesn’t look like prayer. God will hear those prayers that we pray even while we are eating chocolate.
You deserve the rest, it sounds like it might be a relaxing time for you that's good. All my love ❤️🙏❤️