Dear Friend,

“All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone,” Blaise Pascal famously wrote. So let’s be honest: when was the last time you sat quietly alone, on retreat? Never? 10 years ago?

Even with the global COVID slowdown, it’s common to view a spiritual retreat—at a monastery, shrine, retreat center, or even just at home—as a luxury of time we can’t afford. Life is just too busy. A weekend or week-long retreat? Ha! Most shake their heads, thinking that retreats are the domain of priests, missionaries or full-time ministry staff.

But what about a mini-retreat—even if it’s “do-it-yourself”—on a Saturday morning, afternoon, or even an entire day? We need to ask this question now, quite simply, because the times demand it. With the current infrequency of our church services, drop-off of our various Bible studies, small groups, and other ministries, it’s easy to lose our bearings. “Humanity’s problems” are readily apparent, and “sitting quietly in a room alone” offers a path forward.

Of course, every day we can and need to take a “mini-retreat” in our prayer chair, at our kneeler, or prayer corner—or wherever we get away to pray. “His mercies are new every morning,” and this newness can be ours each day. Without it, we miss the graces God has in store for us daily.

But in addition to daily prayer, we’ve found that taking turns for an annual short retreat is a welcome grace. We try not to overthink it. Even a 3 or 6-hour, unguided and improvised retreat at a nearby shrine or monastery—several possible formats can be found in the toolkit below—can provide the needed “reset” to bring renewed vision to our personal journey, as well as our marriage, parenting, and work.

Work tends to slow down a bit this time of year, so it’s the perfect time to work in a mini-retreat. Asked about the title of his novel Light in  August, Faulkner said, “There’s a few days somewhere about the middle of the month when suddenly there’s a foretaste of fall, it’s cool, there’s a lambence, a soft, a luminous quality to the light, as though it came not from just today but from back in the old classic times…  It lasts just for a day or two, then it’s gone…”

The coming of an almost mythic August light may sound unlikely to us, but what is it worth to create the possibility of an encounter with the light of Jesus Christ? When and if you go on your own “Light in August” mini-retreat, we have found the following three tools important: 

If you can build a mini-retreat into your schedule—even if just for a morning—you just might receive a word from the Lord that he has been trying to communicate to you. You may experience healing, or find that the retreat opens up a time for you to pause, reflect and mourn a particular loss in your life. And yes, you may experience dryness, restlessness, or even a sharing in our Savior’s painful carrying of his cross.

Part of the draw of a retreat is the sheer unpredictability of it, alongside the confidence that the Lord will meet us there. Our Lord is always inviting us to experience new expressions of his love. And part of what makes retreats so special is the fact that, regardless of whether you have a mountaintop or valley experience, the Lord will be with you.

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Heaven in Your Home Toolkit

At 390K views, this video on the “Coronavirus Routine” by Bishop Barron has obviously spoken to many. He begins his reflection with Pascal’s quote, and challenges us to “be alone by yourself,” put away your “goofball iphones,” and “wrestle with the deep stuff.”  

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola form the backbone of so many retreats. Rather than talk about how wise and helpful the Exercises are, or recommend one of the many popularizations of his work, we recommend you read them firsthand.  

At Life Teen, here are “10 Reasons You Need to Go on a Retreat This Year.” (Note reason #2. Compelling.) 

Michelle Arnold of Catholic Answers offers some helpful advice in “A DIY Retreat,” including a series of tips for the possibilty of an “at-home retreat.” 

Here is a link to the audio of two retreats for married couples given by Fr. James Hudgins and Fr. Paul Scalia, respectively, of the Diocese of Arlington. 

Posted during Lent this year, this virtual retreat by Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston features six 20-30 minute reflections. 

Testimonial
Just about everything about Trinity House Cafe makes you want to enjoy your time there, every single minute of it. The charm in its layout as a converted house…the selection of food for breakfast and lunch, the full flavor of their coffee, the charm and peaceful surroundings in the interior, the friendliness of the staff. The entire vibe of the place is one of comfort and peace. It’s everything you’d want in a quaint neighborhood cafe. – Bobbie P., Yelp Review 

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