In day 2 of our virtual Global Advent Retreat we focused on the theme of “Clarity of Mind and Heart” and were focusing on the gift of spiritual clarity to feel clear minded and spiritually focused.
This session had the already familiar format involving moments of guided prayer, reflection and group sharing. Bob invited us to call to mind an object that symbolizes spiritual clarity for us, to consider how progress in the spiritual life in knowing what God desires a gift of the Spirit. We were also invited to remember a small story or receiving clarity when we were tangled up and confused about the way forward. As we reflected on these things, considering the strange and tangled situation we all share at this time, it was certainly a timely prayer and a spiritual exercise that resonated with the participants. Where is clarity present in my life? Where is clarity absent from my life?
The group conversation is always a powerful experience where the personal encounter, different perspectives and sharing from the heart make these prayer moments deeply enriching. These 45-minute sessions are short reflective stops on our Advent journeys reinforcing the need for being accompanied and accompanying others and discerning spiritual clarity for our future.
Day 2 was a wonderful experience which we invite you to experience yourself through the recording and the materials available on our Global Advent Retreat Page.
About the Advent Retreat:
The Global Ignatian Retreat for Advent has been created for school faculty and staff, grounded in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and centered on the experience of the living God who desires a personal relationship with everyone. The retreat offers the opportunity to engage in prayer with educators from all over the world, following the Field Hospital Exercises. These exercises, written by Michael Hansen SJ, are inspired by Pope Francis, who said: ‘I see the church as a field hospital after battle. The thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful.’
The retreat is divided into four sessions (including one pre–recorded session). During each session, you will have the chance to experience a different exercise from the Field Hospital exercises:
- Session 1: The Heart of Accompanying – live session completed (recording available here)
- Session 2: Clarity of Mind and Heart – Live session completed (recording available here)
- Session 3: The Way of Lasting Faith – Tuesday 15th of December 2020 (+1 day in Australia)
- Session 4 (prerecorded): The Spirit of Service – to be published by Friday December 18th (+1 day in Australia)
Following the prayer experience, participants are invited to join educators from around the globe in a spiritual conversation – a time for listening to each other and sharing the graces of the exercise. The online session last approximately 45 minutes. The recording and all the material for the retreat will be available on the retreat page the day after the live session.
The retreat is being facilitated by Anne Slingo a Teacher of Religious Education and History in Xavier College (Kew, Australia), and Robert Stephan, Director of Ignatian Formation and Adult Spirituality in Loyola High School (Los Angeles, USA).
