Private Retreat/day Of Reflection

[TeresaBenedicta]

I don't have a lot of experience with this and I thought I'd ask those of you who might have a bit more than me...

If one were to take a day or two for a private retreat or day of reflection that is self-directed, how would you structure it?

I know that I'd definitely have Mass and Divine Office in there. And since I'm planning this during Lent, the Stations as well.

I have a particular theme/question/grace I'm seeking.

Any thoughts?

[Miss Hepburn]

Hi sis,
If your health allows this - fasting with deep, sincere intent.
Pray without ceasing.

Bless your little heart.,
Miss Hepburn

[AccountDeleted]

This is a good time to do it because there aren't any solemnities coming up in the next couple of weeks before Palm Sunday. You sound like you have a good plan. If you can, an early Mass, and yes, the Office is good, and also some readings from scripture, especially the gospels. You might want to meditate on the readings for Mass that day or something special to you. If you can go to Confession before you start, that would also be good. Or if you need the time to reflect and do an examen first, then perhaps right after the retreat?

I find that when I am spending a very still day, it helps the body if I take walks, perhaps reciting the Rosary as I go along, or even just trying to enjoy the stillness and offering up prayers of intercession for others.

Avoid all outside input completely - no newspaper or TV or phone calls etc, but you probably know that already.

I would think a simple fast (one meal per day with two small collations) would be better than starving yourself simply because you want your attention to be on God and not your stomach, but that is individual preference. At the Hermits of Bethlehem we had one day of bread and water only but as I say, that is personal to each individual.

I will keep you in my prayers for a good and holy retreat for you!


PS - Silly me - of course, don't forget to spend time just "talking" to Jesus personally on a one to one basis. That's the best part of being alone for me!

Edited March 30, 2011 by nunsense

[LouisvilleFan]

This isn't a particular formula, but a couple weeks ago I took a day of silent retreat at a local hermitage, and since it's fresh to memory, I'll share an approximate schedule of what I did... maybe some of it you can adapt to your situation:

7am - Morning Prayer
8am - Adoration at local church
9am - Drive to retreat center/check in
10am - clean/organize things at hermitage, get things settled
11:15am - Chaplet of Divine Mercy at the chapel
11:45am - Mass
12:30pm - PB&J lunch followed by some spiritual reading
1:30pm - hiking/meditation in the woods
2:30pm - hurry back to hermitage to escape rain, pray Rosary, spiritual reading, pushups/situps (always good to integrate physical and spiritual exercise)
3:30pm - rain ceases, a little more hiking followed by Stations
5:00pm - Evening Prayer, salad and fruit for dinner (basic idea for me was to eat healthy and just enough to be filled)
6:00pm - more spiritual reading, followed by a reading of my own prayer journal entries dating back about 7 years
8:00pm - begin writing a couple letters
9:30pm - needed a mental break, smoked pipe on front porch
10:00pm - continued with letter writing
1:00am - finished letter writing, go to bed
7:30am - Morning Prayer
8:00am - breakfast of oatmeal, toast, coffee; pack up everything
10:00am - check out.

[FutureSister2009]

I usually spend most of Good Friday in silent prayer and then I go to Adoration at my Church and stay for the service which always includes an outdoor procession with Stations. But if I just planned a day on my own, this is what I would do.

1. Mass at 9AM
2. Read some Bible stories
3. Small lunch
4. Reflection and writing prayer requests
5. Outside for a silent walk while listening to meditative music
6. Adoration
7. Light Dinner
8. Rosary
9. Ending with a favorite movie about a Saint
10. Closing prayer
11. Bed

[cmaD2006]

I'm about to plan to take the 3rd weekend of the month and do some sort of retreat weekend. (Maybe starting on Friday, through to Sunday night). I may just do Sunday, but since I live on my own I think I can organize myself such that the 3rd weekend becomes a "hermit" weekend.

I do still have to make it to my parish due to my responsabilities. *but* nothing says that I can't spend the day in prayer before then, right?

No plans though on what I'd do. That's still in the works.

[cmaD2006]

(impatient me ... double post)

Edited April 6, 2011 by cmariadiaz

[Chamomile]

What a beautiful idea!

I want to have a day of reflection in a [url="http://rainieryurts.com/"]yurt[/url] in the mountains.

[Miss Hepburn]

[quote name='Chamomile' timestamp='1302099127' post='2226373']
What a beautiful idea!

I want to have a day of reflection in a [url="http://rainieryurts.com/"]yurt[/url] in the mountains.
[/quote]
I was going to give you a link for retreats here in Colorado because I know people with yurts around the Baca Valley and Salida..
But, I decided to have you google what I did because there was so much to click onto!

I googled "Catholic retreat in Colorado" - wait till you see!

Miss Hepburn

[TeresaBenedicta]

I'm going this Saturday! To [url="http://www.trappistabbey.org/index.html"]Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey[/url]. It's a beautiful place-- right in the heart of Oregon wine country. I can't wait! Thanks for all of the advice.