17 April 2023 · 2023-04 newsletter
10-12 March 2013
The theme for the retreat was “BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER”.
The weekend began on Friday evening with a very small group. But as the saying goes “it’s not the quantity but the quality that counts”.
We started the evening with an introduction to the weekend given by Sr. Elizabeth. Evening prayers followed in the Shrine of Our Blessed Mother and we finished off with supper and a catch up before retiring for the night.
Our group expanded on Saturday as more ladies joined for the day. Sister suggested that it would be a silent retreat day, and this was welcomed by all.
Our sessions were held in the library where we had a banner displaying the altar in the Shrine, and one of Fr. Kentenich. The smaller room was possible due to the smaller number of ladies, and it certainly helped give us a more intimate atmosphere for our sharing during the sessions.
The day was full of the graces which flowed from the Shrine to us who were present. We started with morning prayer in the shrine, and this was followed by a session with Sister Elizabeth. Father Terry Bell, the Schoenstatt Moderator for the Mothers’ Branch, then addressed us. He touched on what influences us in today’s world and used the Dove ad. on television as an example of the influences on the young girl, leading us to ponder how we are influenced by Mary’s example. Father was then available for reconciliation before he celebrated Holy Mass in the Shrine. After a further session with Sr. Elizabeth, we walked the stations of the cross outside. It was really a moving time to walk the way of the cross with our Blessed Mother.
We ‘broke’ our silence at dinner and it was nice to be able to share what the day was like for us and if the silence helped with our reflection and time with ourselves and our Blessed Mother. All agreed that it was so good to have the time of silence.
Our day finished with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and night prayer in the Shrine. It was a very rewarding day. The silence had really added an element of detachment from our everyday life. Sister gave a session on how Our Blessed Mother is always ready to help us and be with us no matter what.
Sunday morning started with morning prayer in the Shrine. Again, we were joined by several day participants. We were also encouraged to participate in the Eucharistic celebration with a Marian attitude. As the official companion and helpmate of Christ in the entire work of redemption, Mary “represents active participation in the order of salvation, and consequently in the bloody and unbloody sacrifice of the cross”(J.K). Thus we may believe that Mary will help us to actively participate in each Eucharistic celebration.
Then before Mass we met in the Father Room to pray the Rosary. We were given an extra joy as we prayed when two children came in and knelt before the statue of Fr. Kentenich. This childlike expression emphasised for us the importance of being children before God, just as Our Lady was.
The afternoon session focused on THE UNITY CROSS and was a form of summary of the weekend. When we look at the cross, we see Mary, our Blessed Mother beside her Son as he dies for us. She is holding the chalice to receive his precious Blood, the price of our redemption. They suffered together and while we can see Jesus’ physical broken body, Mary’s suffering is hidden. It was most appropriate to finish our Lenten Retreat with this reflection. Jesus’s words from the Cross: “Behold your Mother” had become filled with meaning for us.
Sister’s presentations were all in reference to our Blessed Mother, the role she played in our redemption and how she educates us to be Christlike and to do all for the glory of God. Her Fiat “Your will be done” is always a good starting point when we start learning and wanting to be like our Blessed Mother. Sister referred frequently to the Lenten Retreat, given by Father Joseph Kentenich, and published in the book “Mary, Our Mother and Educator”.
My own personal experience of the weekend is, that with Mary as my Mother and educator, I can’t go wrong. She is always ready to give me the graces I need in whatever situation I might be in. The abundance of grace she will intercede for us is there for the asking. I am now more mindful of my Blessed Mother when I go to Mass, and her part in the Eucharist.
Carmel
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