IMPRESSIONS OF THE RETREAT

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 6, 11 February 1925, Page 30

IMPRESSIONS OF THE RETREAT

(By P A R TICI PA NT .)

Thanks be to God ! Though it be easy now, "With heart at peace and with unclouded brow. To voice our gratitude; I trust somehow we should, Through His dear grace, e'en while we sorrowed most, Say with lull hearts, nor ever count the cost: Thanks be too God ! — M. J. O’Reilly, D.D. Being away on holiday when last year’s Retreat was held—the first for laymen in the Diocese of Dunedin —the thought occurred to me that, as the one just closed would include the week-end, and thus meet the exigencies of duties which had to lie attended to. I should enter upon it. Hence, having come to a decision for which I shall be for ever grateful, the earliest opportunity was taken to present myself at Holy Cross College, endeavoring on my journey thither, to picture in my mind the nature of a Retreat and what might be exacted of a rctreatant. The “Manresa” of New Zealand. On entering through the, main gates of the glorious surroundings of Holy Cross College, my first impression was that here, in very fact, existed, in all its spacious loveliness, the ideal situation for what proved to bo not only a restful change from city life, but also, by its atmosphere of calm serenity, all that a soul, wearied with the goings and comings and hum-drum of everyday life might desire. Our Initiation. Whatever misgivings one may have entertained rn route were speedily dispelled on approaching the main entrance to the Col- . lego. We were there met and cordially greeted by the popular and genial Rector, Very Rev. C. Morkane, M.A., who, after showing us to our several apartments, directed our attention to the indications posted in the corridor, of how we were to spend our time during that and the following two days. I feel that it would be desirable here, for the information of thrive who intend to make the next Retreatand it is hoped there will be at least double' the number of those who attended the one under notice—to give the

Daily Routine. Here it is: 6.30 a.m. rising; 7 prayers in Chapel; 7.10, Holy Mass; 9, Conference •* in Chapel; 10.30, Rosary in Chapel; 11.15, Spiritual reading. in Chapel; 12.15, Conference; 1.30 till 2.30, Recreation; 3, Stations of the Cross; 4.30, Visit to the Blessed Sacrament; 5.30, Conference; 7.30, Recreation; 8, Rosary, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and night prayers; 10, lights out. Between times, apart from the hours set for repasts, silent meditation was the order; retreatants being aroused from their spiritual reveries by the bell, rung with a vigor and precision which made our indefatigable sacristan quite a well-known and much-appreciated helper. His tasteful decoration of the altar, too, was quite a feature of the multifarious duties he so well carried out. Conferences and Meditations. What can I write of our distinguished Retreat-giver? Opinions in this regard were ’universal: all were agreed that we were indeed fortune’s favorites in having such an eminent ecclesiastic to direct (is during our all-too-brief time of Retreat. A wonderful preacher! And wonderful meditations! If, as Dr. O’Reilly told us in a moment of confidence at the social gathering, he was trying his “’prentice hand” upon us, we utterly fail to even imagine what we may expect when (as we earnestly hope to) we, shall hear him again. Communing With Our Creator. Permeated by the spirit of the subjects so lucidly instilled, our times of • meditation felt like something never before experienced. We realised, as never before so tangibly, the Divine Presence and our nearness to the Creator of all things in Heaven and on earth. Following in particular one very beautiful meditation, everything in the little bit of Paradise that we were so highly privileged to enjoy for. the time beingthe gorgeous blooms of every hue (the sweet v oses of On” Blessed Lady and the “Little Flo we' - ” especially), the ever-busy bees, the stately trees and tender shrubs, and God’s own feathered songstersall, and everything in nature, provided the lesson of final dissolution, and brought home to us a vivid realisation of (the one thing that matters. End of a Perfect Day. Our last day at Mosgiel brought still more forcibly to mind the adaptability of the College for private Retreats, Its charm and seclusion renders it, as was remark o ! at the beginning, a replica of Now York's great House of Retreat. To convey in general terms what making a Retreat implies, it may be likened to the Holy Hour we spend in prayer before the Blessed Faernment or a visit to Our Divine Lord — though ever-presentin the Tabernacle, otended, with brief intervals, over a period of 72 hours. With that deep and abiding affection for and interest in every member ct bis flock, from the infant to the aged. Lis Lordship the Bishop, accompanied by a number J of his priests, attended the concluding ceremonies of what was indeed a memorable time of prayer and recollection. Those who met there, in the main total strangers to one another, departed as members of one big happy family. Verily nothing exists on

earth comparable with the Household of the Faith. With the hope that we shall all meet again at our Manresa for the Retreat of 1926, filled with deepest gratitude towards our .kindest of hosts, and with an revolts but not good-byes to our devoted Director, we take our several ways with an enduring mindfulness of the great lessons of life we have been taught in the brief span of three days, lessons we shall ever profit by in attaining our eternal destiny.