Coming down the mountain...
I've been back from the silent retreat for a few days now, and am finally sharing some of the graces from those days. As previously stated, I was in the mountains of Greccio from Sunday afternoon through Saturday afternoon for First Theology's silent retreat.
Now--for those who know me, and think it's impossible for me to go on a silent retreat--you're wrong! It's very difficult but possible!! I actually found this silent retreat harder than the past two years at SJS, for the reason that we were NOT in our seminary rooms, but rather at a retreat center. That may not seem like much, but you can find all sorts of non-technology things to distract you in your room at seminary (picture albums, books, cleaning, napping, etc.), whereas at this retreat center I would get cabin fever in my room, so I went outside a lot!
Similar to past retreats, morning and evening prayer was done in community, and there was a Mass before lunch. During the morning and evening prayer times, we also had a conference. Our theme was "The Way of Faith for a Disciple of Jesus." We followed Jesus' life from His birth in Bethlehem to the Ascension into Heaven after His crucifixion, death and resurrection. After the talks we had time to walk the trails in the mountains, just sit with nature and listen to the sounds we often tune out (the wind blowing, leaves rustling, bees and insects flying eround etc)
During the week, we also had the opportunity to sit with one of the 3 spiritual directors there for 20-30 minutes. I made an appointment for MWF-- My plan was to ask a question on Monday--pray Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon, dissect it, then continue to pray until Friday and then have final meeting before the retreat ended.
After my meeting Monday, I tried to just listen to God and not do a lot of talking. By Wednesday I realized that I've become a lot like Jacob lately and I am wrestling so much with God over certain things. I decided, with the counsel of the spiritual director, to just let God win me over. Let Him "pin me" so to speak, so I can let myself soak up His love for me at that moment, and just be with Him. After this, the rest of the week was very grace-filled for me.
We came back to Rome on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday the families of the men to be ordained deacons on Thursday had arrived. Thus began Deacon Week 2013!
Sunday evening, the Boston guys had the opportunity to dine with Cardinal Seán who is in town for the "Super 8" meeting of Cardinals chosen by Pope Francis to "advise him on the government of the universal church" and "to study a project of revision" of a document from John Paul II on the Roman Curia. There were also some Boston priests who live/work in Rome at the dinner, so there were about 11 of us total. It was a great opportunity to get to see some of my (God willing) future brother priests and get to know them! Speaking of His eminence--we are again dining with the Cardinal, but this time it will only be the Boston men studying at the NAC, so only 6 total.
Yesterday I spent almost 5 hours at the Police station applying for my "Permesso di soggiorno" (Permission to Stay...). This is the document that lets non EU Citizens stay in Italy for longer than 90 days--it's somewhat like a residency permit, though there are slight differences. Not sure yet what they are though!
Then in the afternoon we went to "Mother Greg" for our Italian proficiency exam. The computer part was 60 questions--all multiple choice, some listening questions and choices, other statements, some pictures with 3 choices you listened to and chose the correct one, etc. Then there was an oral part where you sat and just chatted with someone in Italian, then read a paragraph for pronunciation and finally they showed you a picture and you had to describe what was going on in the photo. I thought the oral part was a lot less stressful than the computer part!
The rest of this week will probably turn into a blur because of the diaconate ordination Thursday, and then we have a travel permitted weekend, so I'm going with a few guys to San Giorgio--almost near the Adriatic Coast of Italy. We rented a little villa--pictures will be posted after!! Then classes start next Monday and then we're off and running! Know of my constant appreciation of your prayers, and be assured of mine!
Lastly--SOMETHING TOTALLY AWESOME HAPPENED today!!!!! I received a package in the mail from MaryJo--who is basically EVERYONE's go to woman at SJS. I had asked her to help me pray to obtain a relic of St. Maximilian Kolbe..and as God would have it--she had gotten one this past summer on her trip to Marytown, USA in Illinois when she was out at a conference in Chicago! The envelope was sealed with a Saint Sticker saying, "I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good on earth." Ok...so why is this awesome? Well ladies and gents, today happens to be the feast day of St. Therese--who was the one to whom that quote is attributed. MaryJo didn't know the package would get here on Therese's feast day. Coincidence? NO...God-incidence. #Grace (I'm aware that can't/shouldn't be done outside of twitter, but oh well). I now have a relic of my favorite Saint!!!!!
Anyways--off to pray a little before the Boston dinner tonight. Take a moment now to just realize how God is gazing upon YOU right in this moment. Whatever you are wrestling with--let Him pin you and win you over...and realize that YOU are HIS beloved. And sit with that for a little
St. Therese---Pray for us!
--KPL
Now--for those who know me, and think it's impossible for me to go on a silent retreat--you're wrong! It's very difficult but possible!! I actually found this silent retreat harder than the past two years at SJS, for the reason that we were NOT in our seminary rooms, but rather at a retreat center. That may not seem like much, but you can find all sorts of non-technology things to distract you in your room at seminary (picture albums, books, cleaning, napping, etc.), whereas at this retreat center I would get cabin fever in my room, so I went outside a lot!
Similar to past retreats, morning and evening prayer was done in community, and there was a Mass before lunch. During the morning and evening prayer times, we also had a conference. Our theme was "The Way of Faith for a Disciple of Jesus." We followed Jesus' life from His birth in Bethlehem to the Ascension into Heaven after His crucifixion, death and resurrection. After the talks we had time to walk the trails in the mountains, just sit with nature and listen to the sounds we often tune out (the wind blowing, leaves rustling, bees and insects flying eround etc)
During the week, we also had the opportunity to sit with one of the 3 spiritual directors there for 20-30 minutes. I made an appointment for MWF-- My plan was to ask a question on Monday--pray Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon, dissect it, then continue to pray until Friday and then have final meeting before the retreat ended.
After my meeting Monday, I tried to just listen to God and not do a lot of talking. By Wednesday I realized that I've become a lot like Jacob lately and I am wrestling so much with God over certain things. I decided, with the counsel of the spiritual director, to just let God win me over. Let Him "pin me" so to speak, so I can let myself soak up His love for me at that moment, and just be with Him. After this, the rest of the week was very grace-filled for me.
We came back to Rome on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday the families of the men to be ordained deacons on Thursday had arrived. Thus began Deacon Week 2013!
Sunday evening, the Boston guys had the opportunity to dine with Cardinal Seán who is in town for the "Super 8" meeting of Cardinals chosen by Pope Francis to "advise him on the government of the universal church" and "to study a project of revision" of a document from John Paul II on the Roman Curia. There were also some Boston priests who live/work in Rome at the dinner, so there were about 11 of us total. It was a great opportunity to get to see some of my (God willing) future brother priests and get to know them! Speaking of His eminence--we are again dining with the Cardinal, but this time it will only be the Boston men studying at the NAC, so only 6 total.
Yesterday I spent almost 5 hours at the Police station applying for my "Permesso di soggiorno" (Permission to Stay...). This is the document that lets non EU Citizens stay in Italy for longer than 90 days--it's somewhat like a residency permit, though there are slight differences. Not sure yet what they are though!
Then in the afternoon we went to "Mother Greg" for our Italian proficiency exam. The computer part was 60 questions--all multiple choice, some listening questions and choices, other statements, some pictures with 3 choices you listened to and chose the correct one, etc. Then there was an oral part where you sat and just chatted with someone in Italian, then read a paragraph for pronunciation and finally they showed you a picture and you had to describe what was going on in the photo. I thought the oral part was a lot less stressful than the computer part!
The rest of this week will probably turn into a blur because of the diaconate ordination Thursday, and then we have a travel permitted weekend, so I'm going with a few guys to San Giorgio--almost near the Adriatic Coast of Italy. We rented a little villa--pictures will be posted after!! Then classes start next Monday and then we're off and running! Know of my constant appreciation of your prayers, and be assured of mine!
Lastly--SOMETHING TOTALLY AWESOME HAPPENED today!!!!! I received a package in the mail from MaryJo--who is basically EVERYONE's go to woman at SJS. I had asked her to help me pray to obtain a relic of St. Maximilian Kolbe..and as God would have it--she had gotten one this past summer on her trip to Marytown, USA in Illinois when she was out at a conference in Chicago! The envelope was sealed with a Saint Sticker saying, "I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good on earth." Ok...so why is this awesome? Well ladies and gents, today happens to be the feast day of St. Therese--who was the one to whom that quote is attributed. MaryJo didn't know the package would get here on Therese's feast day. Coincidence? NO...God-incidence. #Grace (I'm aware that can't/shouldn't be done outside of twitter, but oh well). I now have a relic of my favorite Saint!!!!!
Anyways--off to pray a little before the Boston dinner tonight. Take a moment now to just realize how God is gazing upon YOU right in this moment. Whatever you are wrestling with--let Him pin you and win you over...and realize that YOU are HIS beloved. And sit with that for a little
St. Therese---Pray for us!
--KPL
How good is our Mighty God!!! I'm going with Fr. Gribble and Deacon Jerry to Poland Aug 3 - 13 , 2014 - we're going to see all the sights associated with St Max... MAYBE you can meet up with us.. if not, I KNOW WHO will be getting lots of special prayers!
ReplyDelete