Lenten Recollection amidst nature

The Archdiocesan Prayer Ministry in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Creation Justice Commission organised an outdoor Lenten Recollection at the Lake Gardens on March, 4.

Mar 17, 2023

Archbishop Julian Leow facilitating the guided reflection for one of the groups.


By Marilyn Menezes Simon
The Archdiocesan Prayer Ministry in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Creation Justice Commission organised an outdoor Lenten Recollection at the Lake Gardens on March, 4. The theme was With Him on the Mountain; Journeying Together Towards a Synodal Church keeping in mind the theme chosen by Pope Francis for Lent 2023 – Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey.

Amidst the chirping of birds, Fr Andrew Manickam OFM Cap, the Ecclesiastical Assistant for the Archdiocesan Prayer Ministry and the Creation Justice Commission, welcomed the 320 participants and thanked the attendees that ranged from ages six to 89.

He encouraged everyone to experience the uniqueness of one another, to journey together and to listen to the voice of God and the voice of creation.

Archbishop Julian Leow led the group in the opening prayer, asking God to make us aware of His presence within us and to renew our relationship with Him. The archbishop highlighted how the event was an opportunity to spend time with nature, to walk together, to talk to God, talk to nature and to listen to God.

The participants were then put into smaller groups of 20 each and sent to different locations at the park – the Sunken Garden, the herb garden, besides the lake, the gazebos, at the unusual species collection area, the canopy at the Pokok Botol, under a tree, etc. True to the theme of journeying together, the facilitators of the guided reflection included members of the lay community, religious and the clergy.

Fr Edwin Peter in his group, took the discussion approach starting with the synodal logo. He highlighted how we rarely journey alone and being together helps in prayer, in bonding and in fellowship. God is present to us through others and we work towards an inclusive journey, incorporating the good and the not so good times. One of the participants pointed out that we are all heading towards our goal – a glimpse of our God and we nudge each other along the way to motivate and to guide each other.

The various groups also spent time either individually, in pairs or as a group reflecting on the takeaway points.
Being inclusive in our journey, Lake Gardens was the perfect choice for the recollection as we walked together with people from different faiths, nationalities, communities and age groups.

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