09/05/2025
We had a wonderful annual retreat from Aug 17 to 23. Sr. Mary-Ellen from our Motherhouse, Mount St. Mary’s Abbey, led us into the deep, tranquil spirit of Cistercian life. Here is her introduction:
Along the short journey of this retreat, we are going to encounter “seven” Treasures which all Cistercians hold dear and try to embrace in our daily life.
These “treasures” are moments of personal encounters with Jesus in one form or another, which may help refresh your energy and enthusiasm to continue on with integrity and love, along your journey to eternal life. Sometimes we limp along, sometimes we run, but the important thing to remember is that he is always with us, offering his peace, telling us of his love, and longing to be loved in return.
Let us not run during this retreat but gently, quietly walk along the pathway of these days and come to know a little better those infinite spaces of God within your own hearts. I suggest that you just “waste time” with your Beloved – this holy leisure will anchor you anew, and hence you will best serve your sisters, your families, your neighbors, your friends, and the whole world.
I suggest that you all make a very conscious gesture of handing over to Jesus all that has been and let him embrace you with his special gift of mercy during these days. What a beautiful gift to give him in gratitude for his abundant mercies during your lifetime.
During these few days, if we can remember to gaze at the horizon of love – Jesus, not ourselves, not our unknown future. He is the horizon to which we are walking; he is waiting to be discovered or re-discovered in each treasure we touch. He, he alone, is the reason for the journey. The beginning and the end of the journey of this retreat.
