Retreats
Prayer/Reflection in Daily Life Retreat: A Reflection on Life's Journey
During the yearly cycle all traditions provide numerous opportunities through prayer/reflection to discover and nurture our inner voice. Prayer/reflection is one of many ways a human being can enhance the spiritual/personal dimension of life. Developing the disciplines of silence, prayer and reflection are essential if we are to discover and nurture the greatness of our human spirit. To promote these goals, Campus Ministry sponsors week-long Interfaith Directed Retreats/Times of Reflection from Sunday afternoon through Friday evening. A group of experienced and diverse directors/companions facilitate this week of individually directed prayer and reflection open to all members of the Georgetown Law community. One need not come from a faith background to participate.
1. WHAT IS A DIRECTED RETREAT/JOURNEY?
The practice of companioning others through their personal experience as they reflect on their life journey is called “spiritual direction” or companioning. It is not counseling, although the style of interpersonal dialogue may be similar. It is not psychotherapy, although people receiving such direction often experience healing. While problem-solving, teaching or probing our deep, dark secrets is not part of our process, this listening can provide guidance and help us become more sensitive to our interior feelings and movements as we meditate/reflect on God’s word in Scripture or other revered texts. Our interior reactions, which we express through prayer/reflection is how we enter into and respond to God’s personal communication with us. When someone speaks of these interior reactions and another person listens to them, there is growth.
If you have been feeling that you want to discover and nurture your relationship with God/self, if you have been wanting to make this journey but have not been able to get away for an extended period of time, if you have been experiencing an urge encouraging you to share your special gifts with another in a new and deeper way, this week of directed prayer/reflection may be for you.
2. WILL THE RETREAT/JOURNEY ACCOMMODATE MY SCHEDULE?
Because few of us have the luxury of being able to take a week away from our studies and job responsibilities, the opportunity for mindful focus takes place here at Georgetown Law during the normal class/work week.
The directed prayer/reflection experience begins on a Sunday afternoon from 1:00-3:00p.m. in the chapel with a gathering of all the participants. Then, during the week, everyone commits to pray/reflect for one-half hour daily and to meet with a director/companion for one-half hour daily at some point during the course of each day to talk about this experience of prayer/reflection. All the participants gather again on Friday evening from 5:30-7:30p.m. to conclude the retreat. It is very important for participants to be present at both the Sunday and Friday sessions.
2012-2013 Schedule and Registration
Phase 1: November 4-9 and March 17-22
Phase 2: February 10-15
Application forms are available in the OFFICE OF CAMPUS MINISTRY, Room 113 McDonough or you may apply online HERE. The cost of the retreat is $40 per person, payable to GULC CAMPUS MINISTRY. For those who cannot afford the full fee, partial scholarships are available through Campus Ministry. Once your registration has been confirmed, the fee is non-refundable. If you wish more information, you may call
Sr. Dorinda Young, SSJ (x9275)
Fr. Alexei Michalenko (x9296)
Michael Goldman (x9297)
or visit them in the Campus Ministry Office, Room 113.
