Preparing Your Heart for a Retreat: 5 Essential Tips
Photo by David Besh
As we gear up for our annual Beloved Retreat next week, I thought it'd be nice to share some tips on how to get ready for a retreat, whether it's the Beloved Retreat or any other Retreat you're attending.
Retreats offer us incredible opportunities for spiritual growth. They can be moments of new insights, self-discovery, special graces, and a stronger connection with Jesus. Just like the seeds in the parable, how we prepare for a retreat can make all the difference. Here, I've outlined five tips to help you prepare for this special time in your life:
#1 - Seek Guidance from the Holy Spirit
Our spiritual growth is not solely a result of our efforts but a response to God's will. Turning to the Holy Spirit for guidance is crucial. Ask for His enlightenment and seek His presence in your heart and mind. It's beneficial to start with a Novena to the Holy Spirit before your retreat. For those attending the Beloved Retreat, the Novena begins on Thursday, November 9th, and ends on Friday, November 17th, coinciding with the start of the Retreat.
Here is a prayer that St Josemaria used to call on the Holy Spirit: Download Pdf.
#2 - Embrace Silence in Your Life
Cardinal Sarah's book, "The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise" beautifully emphasises the significance of silence in our human and spiritual growth. In our noisy world, it's often challenging to find moments of peace. In the days leading up to your retreat, carve out pockets of silence where you can be alone with your thoughts and with the Lord. This practice will prepare you to embrace the silence during your retreat, allowing you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with God without the urge to fill the quiet with external noise.
"God speaks in silence, and silence alone seems able to express Him. For the spiritual person who has known the touch of God, silence and God seem to be identified. And so, to find God again, where would she go, if not to the most silent depths of her soul, into those regions that are so hidden that nothing can any longer disturb them?"
Father Marie-Eugene de V'Enfant Jésus
#3 - Be Open to God's Timing
In a retreat, you invite God into your life, a courageous and generous act. You may have specific intentions in mind, or you might simply be seeking direction from God. Whichever the case, remember to be patient and open to God's timing. His insights may come quickly or slowly, but He never fails us. In a world of instant gratification, waiting can be a challenge. However, the waiting and the act of seeking Him prepare your heart to receive His gifts. Have patience; the Lord is always with you.
#4 - Focus on Your Journey
A retreat is a personal journey, even if you're attending with friends. While it's wonderful to have friends on the Retreat with you, remember that each person's spiritual path is unique. Your focus should be on your spiritual growth. During the retreat, permit yourself to spend less time with friends and more time with our Lord. Consider putting your phone on flight mode or, better yet, leave it in your room and check it only once or twice a day.
#5 - Seek God's Grace
Lastly, and most importantly, we need God's grace to receive His gifts. If you haven't had a chance to go to Confession before the retreat, aim to make a good Confession early in the retreat, preferably on Saturday morning or afternoon. Preparing for Confession, reflecting on your sins and faults, and then seeking God's forgiveness will bring you peace and open your heart to His light and grace. Here's a simple Examination of Conscience to help you prepare for a good Confession.
And finally, we're offering our prayers for those attending the Beloved Retreat from November 17th to 19th. It's a beautiful time of year to be at Lismullin Conference Centre, immersed in the atmosphere, close to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. We also ask others who are reading this blog post to pray for us too. Thank you!