SPIRITUAL RETREATS

New Zealand Tablet, 4 August 1921, Page 28

SPIRITUAL RETREATS

ST. BEDE’S COLLEGE, CHRISTCHURCH. Hitherto the privilege of a' Retreat in places like Teschemakers and the Sacred Heart Convent was reserved to the ladies. This year the men will have no reason to complain. In another column of the Tablet will be found an advertisement announcing that there will be a Retreat for Men conducted in St. Bede’s College this year. Note that it is only a month away, as it begins on September 2. The men need a Retreat every bit as much as the women — or at any rate nearly as much'. And they are sure to avail of this splendid opportunity and to show their appreciation of the privilege afforded them by making the first Retreat for Men a great success.

DOMINICAN CONVENT, TESCHEMAKERS. The Retreat for the boarders, conducted by Father Campbell, C.SS.R., closed last week. It was gratifying to find that the Catholic laity in the neighborhood came in large numbers to attend the evening devotions, many coming in time for the eloquent and edifying discourses delivered by the preacher. In this way the fruits of the Retreat were brought far and wide beyond the walls of the Convent. In December a Retreat for Catholic ladies will be conducted in Teschemakors. Those who had the privilege of spending a few days in prayer and meditation here in past years will welcome the announcement, and be eager to come again. When the boarders are absent during holiday time there is accommodation for a large number of visitors. In December the weather is always pleasant and the beautiful grounds look their best under the smiles of early summer. A Retreat is a great boon for the laity, and the number of people who avail themselves of the privilege is yearly increasing. Apart from the rather material consideration of a few days of perfect peace and rest in a lovely environment, the spiritual advantages offered are immeasurable. Lay people ought not to think that sanctification is a matter that concerns only priests and nuns. We are all called upon to imitate Christ, and unless we do so we shall not save our souls. In the busy world one is too prone to forget what is due to religion, and there is no one who cannot be improved by going apart for a while in order to examine calmly and honestly how he or she stands with God. The lukewarm need it in order to give them fervor; the good need it in order to give them the spirit of perseverance; and all are strengthened and comforted by meditations that throw a flood of light on the value of the soul, on the folly of worldliness, on the beauty of virtue, and*on the profundity of God’s love for men. The date of the opening of the Retreat will be announced later, in due time to allow intending visitors to make their arrangements.