LAYMEN’S RETREATS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 5, 4 February 1925, Page 39

LAYMEN’S RETREATS

(By a St. Bede’s Retreatant.) The idea is newone might almost say painfully new—in this country. Painfully is a startling word to use, but the majority of men when exhorted for the first time to attend a Retreat, think once, look sideways, and then express themselves forcibly. Man is a curious creature where his soul is con* cerned : he doesn’t mind wandering along in the old rut but takes a deal of persuading when a new-fangled notion is brought up. It is extremely difficult to analyse one’s feeling after attending a Retreat for the first time. Still it is important to notice that the predominant thought is one of satisfaction. "Whether it is satisfaction of a good deed done, penance endured or spiritual troubles alleviated ■ depends entirely on oneself. Still I am certain that it is an exceptional man -who does not derive great spiritual comfort from a Retreat. And now a word about the Retreat at St. Bede’s. The schedule time was 8 p.m,, Friday, the 16th January, till 8 a.m. the following Monday morning. Many unfortunately could not come in until the Saturday afternoon. It is a pity that one’s annual spiritual bonus should have to suffer any curtailment. I believe a better arrangement obtained at St. Pat’s, the Saturday morning workers joining up with the others on the Friday night. They left for work from the College, returning for dinner. By the evening of Saturday about 60 men were in residence at St. Bede’s. Strict silence was kept and the effect of this was marvellous on meditation powers. One gradually loses all thought about the world, and meditation, which is nearly impossible to most men becomes exceedingly easy for all. From the rising bell at 6.30 to lights out at 10 there was always something to occupy one’s thoughts Morning Prayers, Holy Mass, and Communion, Lectures, etc. With the programme completed, the ordinary man did not regret his game of cricket or tennis missed on Saturday. After bidding adieu to the Retreat-master one left St. Bede’s on Monday morning with the feelingsomething attempted, something done, and the realisation that after all it is the soul that matters most.