Rob Hingley writes for our latest edition of BEN going out in the post this week.
Life offers more, if we can slow down our busy activity and busy minds, and learn to listen to God and appreciate what he wants to give. That is the purpose of a Silent Retreat such as the ones I advertise on these pages. Without occupying yourself in conversation with others, with no television or computer or telephone to divert you, the silence helps build an inner stillness in which it is easier to commune with God, and to be truly in touch with yourself.
The environment of most retreat houses helps. Wholesome food and attractive scenery reminds us of the goodness of God in creation. Daily acts of worship focus our minds on God revealed to us in Jesus Christ. But most important, in a retreat which follows ancient principles taught by Ignatius of Loyola, is the individual’s daily reading and meditating upon Holy Scripture. Each retreatant is partnered with an experienced retreat guide. They meet daily to reflect together on the retreatant’s on-going prayer experience, and the guide recommends passages for meditation for the next day’s prayer.
The Holy Spirit is active. Through the discipline of time spent with a few verses, pondering the words, imagining the scenes, the scriptures often become alive with a new revelation for the retreatant. And the time spent praying with scripture is an anchor for the more relaxed times of the retreat, resting, walking, admiring the view, playing with paint. God is found to be close in everything.
Most retreatants have a new experience of God’s love for them. Many find inner healing, or a new vision for their life. Some repeat the retreat experience annually to refresh and re-orientate their lives with God. Individually-guided, such a retreat suits all sorts of people.
If you have not done so before, why not give it a try?
Individually-Guided Retreats in the Ignatian tradition
These residential Retreats are conducted in silence with an experienced guide to work alongside you as you pray with scripture and other aids, according to your individual need and temperament.
1st – 7th October – beside the sea at Nicholaston House, Gower Peninsular, S. Wales
Guides: Rob Hingley and Frances Henley-Lock Cost: £340
22nd-27th October – in Cotswold countryside at Glenfall House, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham
Guides: Pauline Green, Rob Hingley, Rachel Willard, Janet Lindsay-German. Cost: £252.50
For further information contact Rev Rob Hingley, St Bernard’s Vicarage 147 Hamstead Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 5BB
Tel: 0121 357 4534
rob.hingley@btinternet.com
