I'm going on retreat!

[Eruvande]

It’s my first retreat, to a catholic retreat house. This is a big deal for me as a protestant, both the retreating and where I’m going. I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m very much looking forward to it. Have any of you been on retreat? Is there anything universal I can expect (I know there’s lots of different kinds of retreat)? It’s a guided retreat.

 

[sashland]

I am a Protestant also. I too am going on retreat today. All they said was to bring our Bible.
I went through RCIA 3 years ago and have decided to join the Catholic Church this Easter. RCIA is putting on today’s retreat. Are you in RCIA? Or just checking out the Catholic faith?
I come from a Baptist upbringing. My wife is a cradle Catholic. My wife never thought I would join the Catholic Church. She is thrilled as is my mother in law. I pray that the retreat is a blessing for you and those you participate with.

 

[McCartney]

It’s my first retreat, to a catholic retreat house. This is a big deal for me as a protestant, both the retreating and where I’m going. I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m very much looking forward to it. Have any of you been on retreat? Is there anything universal I can expect (I know there’s lots of different kinds of retreat)? It’s a guided retreat.

Pray and listen. God will speak to you.

 

[christofirst]

Retreats are great! I’m glad you are able to go. Yes, there are several different kinds of retreats. I’ve been on silent retreats, at a Benedictine Abbey, and preached or guided retreats, at a Passionist retreat house.

What they all have in common is time away from our regular routine. Work, family, cell phones, entertainment - as good as all of these things can be - are put aside, or left to fend for themselves for a period of time, so that the retreatant can focus on God, and the spiritual part of one’s being.

There is often plenty of time for silent reflection and prayer or reading, and often retreat centers are located in beautiful locations where one can slow down and enjoy God’s wonderful creation. There is usually some sort of set schedule for talks, Mass and meals, depending on where you go and how long you stay.

God bless you, and I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[Eruvande]

I am a Protestant also. I too am going on retreat today. All they said was to bring our Bible.
I went through RCIA 3 years ago and have decided to join the Catholic Church this Easter. RCIA is putting on today’s retreat. Are you in RCIA? Or just checking out the Catholic faith?
I come from a Baptist upbringing. My wife is a cradle Catholic. My wife never thought I would join the Catholic Church. She is thrilled as is my mother in law. I pray that the retreat is a blessing for you and those you participate with.

I come from a reformed baptist persuasion, but am currently a low church Anglican. I’m not in RCIA, just doing my own research and praying! Thank you for you prayers, I hope your retreat is a blessing to you!

Pray and listen. God will speak to you.

Thank you for the advice - I shall be listening

Retreats are great! I’m glad you are able to go. Yes, there are several different kinds of retreats. I’ve been on silent retreats, at a Benedictine Abbey, and preached or guided retreats, at a Passionist retreat house.

What they all have in common is time away from our regular routine. Work, family, cell phones, entertainment - as good as all of these things can be - are put aside, or left to fend for themselves for a period of time, so that the retreatant can focus on God, and the spiritual part of one’s being.

There is often plenty of time for silent reflection and prayer or reading, and often retreat centers are located in beautiful locations where one can slow down and enjoy God’s wonderful creation. There is usually some sort of set schedule for talks, Mass and meals, depending on where you go and how long you stay.

God bless you, and I hope you have a wonderful time!

thank you, and a good reminder about my mobile - need to leave that thing behind!

 

[Sunbreak]

Retreats are really great. They’re all different so just go with the flow. I was surprised to find out from one retreat master in my state that it is very common for non-Catholics to attend Catholic retreats. Some of them are even ministers in other Christian religions. So, you’re not alone.

 

[Eruvande]

Well, it’s this weekend and I’m really, really nervous! Please pray for me if you could!

 

[McCartney]

Well, it’s this weekend and I’m really, really nervous! Please pray for me if you could!

Nothing to be nervous about. You are going to have a conversation with God. I will pray for you.

 

[christofirst]

Well, it’s this weekend and I’m really, really nervous! Please pray for me if you could!

Let us know how it went when you return.

 

[Eruvande]

Well. Wow, just wow. The retreat was on Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis, and the priest talked very powerfully about being evangelized ourselves and meeting with Christ personally before we can reasonably hope to show Him to others. He talked about the gospel in the OT, and the parables, and then in the mass.

Then there was a break for mass in the middle of the day. I was very nervous about that, it being my first proper mass where I was right in the centre of things, rather than as a baffled visitor at the back which I was when I visited a mass about ten years ago (and was told, btw, that I didn’t need to convert as all Christians were the same now )

Anyway, water under the bridge. It. Was. AMazing. I’m roughly familiar with the ‘shape’ of the service, being Anglican, but there were a great many differences. The priest used his homily to talk about the gospel in the mass itself - and then the consecration happened and I swear it was like there were angels in the room with me, and I knew, cast iron knew that Christ was physically present.

I talked to a few people about my desire to become Catholic and they all said - ‘The most wonderful thing is that we have Jesus, really and truly present with us’ and I really couldn’t argue.

I came home buzzing and shared a lot of what I’d learned with my husband, who was as enthused as I was at some of it, which was so encouraging. So, I’m going to try and get to another mass in the next few weeks - My husband was so blessed by my description of the mass that he’s willing to drive me to one.

All in all, pretty fabulous.

 

[McCartney]

Well. Wow, just wow. The retreat was on Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis, and the priest talked very powerfully about being evangelized ourselves and meeting with Christ personally before we can reasonably hope to show Him to others. He talked about the gospel in the OT, and the parables, and then in the mass.

Then there was a break for mass in the middle of the day. I was very nervous about that, it being my first proper mass where I was right in the centre of things, rather than as a baffled visitor at the back which I was when I visited a mass about ten years ago (and was told, btw, that I didn’t need to convert as all Christians were the same now )

Anyway, water under the bridge. It. Was. AMazing. I’m roughly familiar with the ‘shape’ of the service, being Anglican, but there were a great many differences. The priest used his homily to talk about the gospel in the mass itself - and then the consecration happened and I swear it was like there were angels in the room with me, and I knew, cast iron knew that Christ was physically present.

I talked to a few people about my desire to become Catholic and they all said - ‘The most wonderful thing is that we have Jesus, really and truly present with us’ and I really couldn’t argue.

I came home buzzing and shared a lot of what I’d learned with my husband, who was as enthused as I was at some of it, which was so encouraging. So, I’m going to try and get to another mass in the next few weeks - My husband was so blessed by my description of the mass that he’s willing to drive me to one.

All in all, pretty fabulous.

I am so glad. God DID speak to you.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing