For the past week, I joined my Province in a time of Retreat.  We assembled at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, NY to be and pray together.  The Retreat Director was Fr. Danny Pilario, CM from the Philippines, and the theme of our reflections centered on “Synodality.”  It was a wonderful and engaging experience.

When I am on retreat, I realize how much I need it.  I played with the word itself to give insight to my “desert” experience.

During most of the year, I am focused on my role at St. John’s.  This good and important ministry consumes much of my time and thinking.  A retreat enables me to step back from all those affairs and all that planning.  It encourages me to pay attention to other values that I know need to be at the forefront of my life, but that I can let slip to the background.  On retreat, I withdraw from the everyday matters and rediscover what is required of me as a believing Christian and a Vincentian priest.  I can recommit to the importance of quiet, of stillness, of simply relaxing on a nice bench looking at the Bay.  The time away from my desk and my office offers a summons to be more attentive to my spirit and the needs of my heart.

Being on retreat also allows me to tone down my attention to the world with its politics and dominant people.  I do not seek to ignore what is going on, but I do hope to move these stories from the top of my mind as I begin each day.  A little retreat from the world allows me to put some distance between what is going on and what should be going on.  Bringing the world and its upheavals to prayer on retreat encourages a better focus on the people who suffer hurt and need due to the decisions that we make and the directions that we choose.

During this time away, I “treat” myself to some extra sleep, to walks that are more like wanderings, and to being alone and out of contact.  I also indulge in conversations with confreres and friends who have been out of my life for a while.  I learn firsthand about their ministries and their carrying out of our mission, and I am boosted by the way in which we strive to live our vocation and to “preach the Gospel to the Poor.”  The schedule for the retreat is relaxed.  Listening to the words of a committed and engaged confrere seems like time well spent.  It is a real treat.

Yes, and during this special time away, I also “re-treat” myself.  Often during a year, I read something that touches my heart.  However, sometimes I move on to the next matter so quickly that the first matter does not receive its due.  And so, during retreat (when I think about it), I bring something that I know needs more consideration.  This retreat, I brought a copy of Pope Leo’s latest Encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas.”  Promoted as a document dealing with AI—which it is—a primary emphasis (as the title suggests) is on the dignity of humankind.  I have found it compelling and convincing and spiritual reading.  It overflows with Vincentian themes and concerns.  It is a treat to read with care and to heed its call to conversion.

A time of retreat is a special blessing.  I know that I am fortunate to be able to take this time away to make this personal prayer.  I sympathize that most people do not have this blessed opportunity.  My hope is that my serious use of this time will make me a better servant of God’s holy people and a better follower of St. Vincent de Paul.