You may be as wealthy as the wealthiest of kings, and yet miserable, if you have no friends. You could be as poor as the poorest pauper, a still happy, since you’re surrounded by those who love you deeply.
In a recent study by the British economist Richard Layard, he concluded that personal happiness hinges more on the relationships you generate with other people more than any other life factor. What personal relationship can be of greater importance than your own relationship with God?
Those who gave witness to such reality – the saints – were notoriously happy. Although the saints were frequently immersed within life scenarios that would generate sadness in a mere mortal, the saints faced up to suffering with joy in their hearts. And it was on account of their friendship with God that provided them this strength and joy.
Friendships do take time and they can only be strengthened through conversation. Those who are involved in strong marriages will say that “escaping” for a while is also a key element to their happiness. And we should do the same with God, which is why the Church always recommends an annual retreat to a Christian retreat center or someplace similar for the faithful.
A Christian retreat represents time away from the daily chores and activities in order to become reacquainted with God. A way to examine life priorities and then to make practical and concrete resolutions for improvement. They can prove to be a very powerful step for personal conversion.
Retreats Today
Church legislation serves to encourage a parish pastor to set up at least occasional retreats or missions for those who are faithful, while those who are to be ordained must partake in a weeklong retreat. Likewise, priests are also asked to venture on a yearly retreat.
Lay people are equally encouraged to escape for a few days on an annual basis as a way to rekindle their own relationships with Christ.
A retreat might last for a couple of days, or might be for as many as 40 days, or perhaps, occasionally for longer. They can be organized for men or women, and also for couples together.
They can follow a traditional format whereby the priest-preacher is the retreat’s master, and offer a number of meditations or spiritual conferences daily. Or it might have something of a more charismatic tone.
Retreats can be directed or undirected. You may be joined by a larger group and based in a hotel, or you could be alone and located in a Trappist monastery.
Generally, however, pastoral experience would suggest that the following elements are key for a wholly successful retreat:
– Obtainment of silence
– The holy Eucharist
– Undergo confession
– Spiritual reading
How to Create a Good Retreat
Find a retreat setting that will foster an atmosphere of silence, which will allow you to listen to the Holy Spirit and get to know Jesus while also coming to terms with yourself.
When you go on a retreat, you are going with God and your aim is to deepen your friendship together. In daily life, all too frequently, we are overwhelmed by sensory distraction and thus are unable to hear God’s voice. When you go for a retreat, you ought to turn the cellphone off and relinquish any cyber communications.
After all, God is calling for your attention, so everyone else should remain patient and wait.
Secondly, the holy Eucharist. The holy Eucharist represents Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, and thus, it’s very helpful for those on retreat to attend Mass daily while also receiving holy Communion.
Thirdly, confession. Every retreat should be about seeking, finding, and also loving Christ. While you invest time in silent reflection and an examination of your conscience, you will be prompted by the Holy Spirit to confess your sins to your priest.
For long-lasting and true spiritual progress, it is essential to make a deep and also thoroughly searching examination of your conscience, you should express any heartfelt contrition, and likewise confess your sins to your priest.
And fourth, spiritual reading. It’s always a joy to be able to read the Bible in silence. It helps to free the soul and focus your mind. The best time for nourishing the soul and the spirit through the words of the Gospel is frequently early in the morning. Many individuals also find it helpful to read through spiritual works by great master and saints.
