An annual retreat is an invigorating investment of time

COVID-19 has taken a lot away from us. Loved ones have died, and we have been unable to celebrate their lives and mourn their loss at a funeral. We’ve been unable to celebrate weddings, graduations, first Communions, birthdays and other special events.

One event I look forward to (almost) every year is my annual retreat. As with many other things, the retreat I had planned to attend last summer was canceled.

I was especially looking forward to this retreat as it was going to be the first five-day silent retreat I’ve been on since having children!

I was looking forward to having five days alone with God to discern my next steps and spend time focused simply on my relationship with God.

The thought of a silent retreat may sound scary (and maybe even impossible!) to some, but as an introverted mother of four, I really enjoy this slow, quiet time with God.

Whether we attend a silent retreat or one with interactions with other retreatants, I strongly believe it is important for all of us to take time out of our busy schedules to spend time focused on the one who so lovingly created us.

While a several-day, overnight retreat may not work for all of us, we are so fortunate to have opportunities for day and half-day retreats to help us recharge our spiritual lives and relationship with God.

The Archdiocese of New Orleans Spirituality Center and the Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center (the former Cenacle) offer many half-day, full-day, and weekend retreats for both men and women. There are other retreat centers only a few hours away from us, like the Jesuit Spirituality Center in Grand Coteau. Many of our parishes offer days of reflection we can attend.

In our world of COVID, there has even been an increase in virtual retreats and days of reflection to attend now as well.

While I was not able to attend my retreat last summer,  I’ve been so fortunate to participate via Zoom with my spiritual director, who lives in Massachusetts, in the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

I’ve found great comfort and an even deeper understanding of God’s great love for me by walking though this retreat daily for the last several months. It has truly been such a blessing during a time of so much uncertainty.

Our God loves us all so much and wants nothing more than a relationship with each of us! If you do not already have a daily prayer time with God, a retreat can be a great first step in finding a way to make time for God in prayer every day.

For those who already have a set prayer time and relationship with God, a retreat is a great way to help it to grow even deeper.

Charlotte Phillips lives in New Orleans with her husband, Kevin, and their four young children. Professionally, she is the ministry assistant and blog manager for Becky Eldredge. She has a bachelor’s degree in theology and a master’s of pastoral studies from Spring Hill College. Charlotte enjoys Ignatian Spirituality, reading, listening to live music and bike riding with her family.