If
your life is busy one,with many cares and concerns, then you
would probably benefit from a time of quiet prayer and reflection.
Many find that they return home from a retreat in a more peaceful
and consoled frame of mind.
You may well just want time for yourself and your God.
Time to devote to prayer, tell your story to a retreat guide
who is an open and accepting listener.
Many people who come on retreat find that unresolved issues
stop them from being as happy or fruitful as they could be.
Many of us keep troubles at arms length with liberal doses of
television, computers, work and other distractions. On
an individualy guided retreat you leave television, telephone,
computers, and other distractions aside and allow what is more
important to surface.
At St Beuno's we believe in a God who wants to show his love
for each one of us. Love is shown in an acceptance of
who we are with our personality and our history. We find
that people who come on retreat invariably experience God in
a positive way and return home lighter, rejuvenated, consoled,
more confident in doing God's will.
An individually guided retreat is an
experience of prayer, over a number of days. There is a daily
personal meeting with a retreat guide, usually lasting up to
45 minutes, to reflect on each day's prayer and offer guidelines
and resources for the next day.
It is usual for each participant to spend some time each day
dedicated to prayer and reflection. There are no hard and fast
rules for times of prayer: most participants will do between
three and five periods of prayer a day.
The retreat is above all a time of listening to God at work
in the experiences of your daily life and in the prayer of the
retreat. The director or retreat guide is also there primarily
to be a listener and companion on your journey.
Individually guided retreats at St Beuno's
follow the inspiration of Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual
Exercises drawing on some of the approaches, methods of
prayer and ways of reflection they suggest. They do not however
follow the Full Exercises in a compressed way.
Eucharist
There will be a daily Eucharist that all are welcome to attend.
Usually too there is a half-hour, silent evening prayer that
people are welcome to join in the Chapel.
Art and
Creativity
There is an Art Room which is available to all who wish to express
themselves visually.
Silence
These retreats are conducted in a prayerful silence both
during the day and usually at meal times when some quiet music
helps foster a reflective atmosphere. Participants are expected
to remain silent around the house and respect the silence of
others. The silence enables participants to move deeper into
prayer and meditation and not be distracted by the concerns
of others.
6 or
8 day silent retreats on St Beuno's programme are
conducted with the help of an trained retreat director.
Full Spiritual Exercises
This is an individually guided retreat, so all the details above
apply. However, participants follow the meditations and contemplations
given by St Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. There
is a degree of flexibility built in, so the guide and the participant
will make decisions about when and if it is appropriate to move
on in the Exercises. Other details like whether to use a modern
adaptation or a more traditional version of the Exercises will
usually be discussed.
In the month of the Exercises there are two break (repose) days
during part of which the exercise of silence will be relaxed
and participants are usually encouraged to leave the Centre.
At St Beuno’s the Exercises themselves last 30 days, with
preparation and reflection days at either side.
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