The Value of Retreat
Read time: 5 minutes
Have you ever noticed how often Jesus went off by himself to pray (Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, John 6:15)? Whenever he was tired, facing opposition, or trying to cope with the lack of understanding or hard-heartedness of his disciples, Jesus went off by himself. Most often he went “up the mountain”. It seems to be on a mountain that people often experience a deeper connection with God in the bible. It is there one is recharged with energy and love. Recently, I had my own experience of the divine on a mountain.
In the last week of July, I attended a week-long silent retreat at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre, in Cochrane, Alberta. “The Mount”, as they call it, is run by Franciscan Friars, and holds retreats throughout the year. Set in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Centre is celebrating its 75th anniversary later in August. This was the third retreat I have attended there, and I cannot think of a better way to spend a week in summer than on “the Mount”.
As usual, I arrived tired, feeling disconnected from God, and world-weary after a year of dealing with wars in the Middle East and eastern Europe, political divisions in Canada and abroad, conflict in the Church, forest fires all around, floods, heat domes and no end of vitriol on social media. I was immediately greeted by name at the registration table and shown to my room. Accommodations are simple, but comfortable and practical. Looking out my window I spotted a couple from St. Joseph Church, in Grande Prairie, and ran out to greet the. It was comforting to find friends so far from home.
Every day begins with mass at 7:45am, in the chapel, then breakfast in the large dining room. The food is excellent. Lunch is at noon, evening prayer at 5:15pm followed by dinner. The rest of the time is each person is on their own aside from a scheduled meeting with a spiritual director. The grounds are huge with two outdoor Stations of the Cross – one going up the hill behind the Centre and the other going down into the ravine. One has access to the Library, the Gallery with comfortable chairs and wide windows overlooking the mountains. There are pastures with huge draft horses, and walking trails, benches and a tiny chapel, among the trees. The silence is so beautiful.
In the last year I have been struggling with settling into retirement. Everyone looks forward to retiring and being finished with the rigors of working for a living. However, I have struggled. I worked in a profession about which I was passionate. I liked having my time structured by the school year. I always knew what day it was. I now missed my former colleagues and my students who gave me so much in return for whatever I gave them. I wondered if my life still had meaning and purpose. So, I went to the retreat at a low ebb.
Jesus says, “Ask and it shall be given”. Need I say more? That week of prayer, naps, early nights, early mornings, walks in the woods, reading my novel, disconnecting from my phone, watercolour painting, and silence was totally rejuvenating and energizing to the mind and body. I feel healed of all the worry I had about my future, about what I should be doing, could be doing, or want to be doing. I feel deeply connected to God and to others. I found a new sense of purpose and a new attitude toward living and serving as “church” in the world.