For Your Next Personal Retreat, Five Tips
When was the last time you made a personal retreat?
I spoke with a priest-friend earlier this week and was a tad bit jealous as he talked about the retreat he had just made. This is the norm for the clergy and religous, often mandated by their diocese or community to make an annual retreat and for good reason- one can't give what one doesn't have.
This practice shouldn't be limited just to our priests, sisters and brothers. A retreat is good for the soul and good for each one of us.
I suggest five ways to make your next retreat meaningful:
Inquire as to whether a retreat allowance is available to you. If it is, find out whether it is by reimbursement or whether your institution can pay the retreat center directly. A few hundred dollars goes a long way in the retreat world.
Articulate what kind of a retreat is most needed for you right now. A silent retreat may be just what you need or perhaps one with others in a group. Or, you might look for a holy spiritual director who is willing to meet with you once a day to offer insights and feedback.
Go on a pilgrimage. You don't have to travel to Lourdes in order to make a pilgrimage. OSV has this list of 10 Catholic destinations right here in the U.S. Bring a particular intention with you and take your time.
Make a nature retreat. Formal retreats are excellent but you may be in a spot where a nature retreat is even better. This could include going for a hike, spending the day at a remote spot in the woods or enjoying a quiet beach with time to read and pray.
Let others know that you'll be unplugged and offline. This is very important and often difficult for most of us. Don't worry- the roof won't fall in while you're away and life will go on. No email is that pressing and no meeting is that important.
I'd love to hear what you're doing for your personal retreat this summer. Drop me a line at stpierre@ccmanetwork.org.