Reading for a Retreat

[jer8181]

I’m planning on taking a 3 day retreat at the end of August. As a busy, working Mom of 2 little children, I don’t get to frequently take long periods of time to be quiet. Other than my Bible, what books do you recommend I bring along?

 

[acadian]

A journal to write in.

I might bring one other book, but really the 3 days will probably fly. The Imitation of Christ is a good one with small, bite sized chapters.

The past few summers, I’ve been able to visit a friend at a Poor Clare monastery. We visit for a couple hours a day, but the rest time is rather retreat-like. I would take several books and barely look at them. Last year, I think I only took one with meditations for Adoration .

Hopefully you will have Eucharistic adoration available. Just sit in the Presence and enjoy. Take a walk and enjoy God’s awesome creation. Take a much-deserved nap and rest in the Lord. Try not to go with too much of a to-do list. Be available for the Lord. Talk to his mom…say the Rosary.

Enjoy the quiet and don’t try to fill it with too much. Bask in it and listen.

A final thought…the Bible is more than one book. You could read a bit from James and then something from Proverbs or Ruth or Psalms. Lots of variety there.

 

[maryjk]

I am going to go totally in the other direction, and recommend you take your favorite fiction author.

As a mom with young children, you probably don’t have a lot of “Me” time.

Your retreat will be the time to find “Me.” So read what you miss. Do what you can’t normally do.

For my retreat, I spent a lot of time simply listening for God, reading spiritual books, but also knitting and reading some light fiction.

 

[edward_george]

I am going to go totally in the other direction, and recommend you take your favorite fiction author.

As a mom with young children, you probably don’t have a lot of “Me” time.

Your retreat will be the time to find “Me.” So read what you miss. Do what you can’t normally do.

For my retreat, I spent a lot of time simply listening for God, reading spiritual books, but also knitting and reading some light fiction.

As a seminarian who takes a short retreat, usually 3-5 days, about once or twice a year, looking mainly for some quiet time, I wholeheartedly agree. I go to the Benedictine Abbey nearby and attend all the monastic prayers, but spend my free time mostly napping or reading novels or humor books. Sometimes, especially in the midst of the hustle and bustle of ordinary life–which is very fulfilling and lifegiving, but occasionally tiring nonetheless–it’s nice to just have some time where you can just relax, resting in the Lord. Even if it means you alternately read St. James and, say, Dave Barry.

-ACEGC

 

[Rosepetal7]

“Consoling the heart of Jesus” is a really good retreat book. You can do it at your leisure or they have a suggested format to follow to do it in 3 days.

 

[findingmyself08]

I agree with acadian, bring a notebook to journal in. I find when I am in retreat or in adoration that journaling can be very beneficial as it helps me to focus and contemplate issues that are bothering me or situations that I cannot control. It allow me to bring and focus my thoughts on Christ. Writing usually allows me to let go of pent up anger, frustration, sadness, and worries. It allows me to appreciate the things I have been blessed with in life and the things that have brought me closer to God.

I also agree that the Bible is more than one book. It might be really fruitful for you to focus on one book or a part of a book in the Bible during your retreat.

I would also suggest anything by C.S. Lewis (one of my favorite Christian authors). He really makes one think about faith as well as many other issues, such as grief and love.

Another book I would suggest if you want a more contemplative read is Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light. I’m still reading it (it’s on hold right now), but it’s a great contemplation tool.