Enlightening retreat on spiritual growth

The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes held a parish retreat from October 7 to 9, led by Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap.

Oct 26, 2024

Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap


By Patrick Louis

The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes held a parish retreat from October 7 to 9, led by Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap. The retreat focused on three central themes: Divine Consciousness, Human Consciousness, and Fully Human, Fully Alive.

On the first day, Fr Michael introduced the concept of the “3 S’s” - Silence, Solitude, and Stillness, inviting participants to reflect on their spiritual journeys. He posed a pivotal question: “Are you working for God or doing the work of God?” He outlined the three stages of spiritual life — Purgative, Illuminating, and Unitive — and emphasised the importance of listening to Jesus, noting that true listening involves obedience.

Fr Michael highlighted the necessity of strengthening one’s prayer life and conversing with God consistently, urging attendees to have their “Holy Moments “of God consciousness. He stressed the urgency of embracing the present, as God often speaks in the word “today.” Addressing spiritual blindness, he encouraged participants to overcome ignorance, cynicism, and hardness of heart.

The second day focused on Human Consciousness, where Fr Michael discussed the “Invasion of Grace” — the moments when God enters our lives. He prompted participants to examine their relationship with God through three key areas: Intimacy, Immersion, and Involvement. He warned against the “Culture of Appearance” and encouraged a deeper, more authentic engagement with faith.

Fr Michael introduced the “Four Cs of Life” — Cause, Consequence, Cure, and Cost — urging participants to confront the root causes of their problems rather than just the symptoms. He concluded the day by highlighting the importance of gradual conversion in thought and behaviour, and the need for commitment despite restlessness and dissatisfaction.

On the final day, under the theme Fully Human, Fully Alive, Fr Michael emphasised the centrality of prayer, particularly the significance of silence in developing a deeper relationship with God. He outlined the four stages of prayer: Oratio (Oral Prayer), Lectio (Reading), Meditatio (Meditation), and Contemplatio (Contemplation).

Fr Michael also discussed the “Symphony of Sin,” categorising various sins and emphasising the transformative power of pain. He shared insights on temptation, illustrating the stages through the Biblical stories of Adam and Eve, as well as the three temptations of Jesus.

In concluding his reflections, he invoked the themes of mercy and empathy, citing the parable of the Good Samaritan and the story of Lazarus. Fr Michael reminded participants that one cannot give what they do not possess and warned against self-righteousness that hinders the reception of God’s grace.

The retreat provided an enriching experience for attendees, allowing them to reflect deeply on their spiritual lives and encouraging them to continue their journey towards a more profound relationship with God.

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