Year of Consecrated Life

April 20, 2015 | Current News

2015 is now well underway. As we are all aware, Pope Francis has designated 2015 the Year of Consecrated Life.

While the call is specifically to those consecrated to God in the Priesthood and Religious Life, there are also the thousands of Benedictine Oblates across the world, and those who are consecrated hermits under their local bishop. Together, we are called to announce the Gospel with Joy!

We are to be men and women who “wake up the world”. In the words of Pope Francis, “The Church must be attractive. Wake up the world! Be witnesses of a different way of acting, of living in this world. It is this witness I expect of you.” (page 35 – “Rejoice”, Letter to Consecrated men and women in preparation for the year dedicated to Consecrated Life.)

We have had a number of community meetings discussing how we can respond to this special year. One of the suggestions which was enthusiastically received was to provide a number of Retreats and Prayer Experiences throughout the year. All are welcome to join us for one or more of these events.

Cottage Retreats 2015- Celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life, The Benedictine Monastic Way

Join us for Sunday Vespers 4.50pm

• March 8th
• April 12th
• May 24th
• June 14th
• July 12th
• August 16th
• September 13th
• October 18th
• November 22nd

April

12th – Day Pilgrimage
Walking a monastic journey within the Abbey grounds.

20th to 23rd – Viriditas: The greening power of God
Tune into the ancient ecological stirrings within you.

June

22nd to 24th – The Artists Heart
All of us have experiences in our search for love and life and God which we carry in our hearts. On these retreat days we will look at how we might express some of these experiences in an art form, as well as looking at some contemporary art which expresses spirituality.

July

17th to 19th – Christian Chant: When you sing you pray twice (St Augustine)
A weekend retreat which will focus on experiencing the power of chant in the Divine Office and singing of the psalms, in simple vocal meditation and in discovering the Spirit in sound.

26th – Finding the God who loves you
A day with the Word of God

August

28th to 30th – Centering Prayer
A silent weekend retreat which concentrates on the practice of Centering Prayer.

September

4th to 6th – A Monastic Experience weekend for women and men
This retreat hopes to engage participants in the rhythm of the monastic day – sharing in our liturgical life, prayer and work.

For more information on any of these retreats, contact your local parish for a brochure or call our Cottage Office on (02) 4236 0533.