Healing retreat for grieving hearts

Jul 26, 2024

By Jenny Sta Maria
The Women Ministry, under the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD), hosted a one-day retreat for women at the PJ LaSalle Café on July 13. The event was attended by 21 women from various parishes across the Klang Valley.

The retreat, titled God in the Wilderness, focused on prayer and support for those grieving the loss of loved ones. The term “wilderness” struck a chord with many attendees, including myself, though its significance wasn’t immediately clear. The registration form highlighted the retreat’s emphasis on prayer, particularly for those who have lost loved ones. This was especially poignant for me, as I have been mourning my beloved mother, who passed away just over a year ago.

The retreat was animated by Sr Angelin Gnanapiragasam, FMDM, a dynamic and compassionate speaker. Despite her petite stature, Sr Angelin was a pillar of strength, guiding us through the session with remarkable empathy.

We all came with our own grief — varying in intensity and reasons — but we shared a common desire: to find the strength to let go, trust in God, and ultimately find peace. The retreat provided a safe, sacred space to share our experiences and confront our sorrow. As I reflected on my loss, I understood why “wilderness” had such an impact on me. A slide showed a path through the wilderness, symbolising our search for a way out of the overwhelming feelings of sadness, fear, and regret. I realised I needed to surrender to God to find that path.

The hands-on activity was profoundly meaningful. We took time to remember and revisit the moments spent with our departed loved ones. This intimate exercise stirred deep emotions — tears, heartache — but also brought a sense of calm only found through our Lord.

A key takeaway from Sr Angelin was the importance of emptying ourselves completely so that God’s love can fill us, healing our hearts and granting us peace. She also emphasised not just talking to God but listening to Him, as He speaks to us in the quiet moments of prayer.

The retreat was a deeply enriching experience for me and, I believe, for every participant. Despite our diverse forms of grief, we left with a shared sense of comfort, peace, and love through Sr Angelin’s guidance.

Our heartfelt thanks to the AOHD team for their exceptional hospitality and for bringing Sr Angelin, whose insight, empathy, and support were truly comforting. God bless.