1.800.221.5175
Catechetical Programs
Christ In Us Grades K–8
Parish, K–8
School, K–8
Bilingual, K–6
We Believe: Living Your Catholic Identity Grades K–6
Parish
School
Full Access
Bilingual
We Live Our Faith, Catholic Identity Grades 7–8
English
Full Access
Bilingual
One Faith, One Lord Grades 7–Adult
English
Bilingual
Our Catholic Faith Grades 4–6
English
Bilingual
God’s Own Making
Grades 4-8
Discovering God
Ages 3–5
Between You and Your Child
English
Spanish
Catechetical Bilingual
Cristo en nosotros
Cursos 1–6
Creemos Identidad católica
Cursos K–6
Vivimos nuestra fe
Cursos 7–8
Nuestra fe católica
Cursos 4–6
Una sola fe, un solo Señor
Cursos 7–Adulto
Entre usted y sus hijos
Cursos K–8
Sacraments Programs
Believe • Celebrate • Live | Bilingual Edition Ages 7–15
Reconciliation Primary
Eucharist Primary
Reconciliation & Eucharist Intermediate
Confirmation Restored Order
Confirmation
We Believe and Celebrate
Baptism
Spanish Edition
Prayer Books
My Reconciliation and Prayer Book, Ages 7–9
Mi Reconciliación y libro de oración, Edades 7–9
My Mass Book, Ages 7–9
Mi libro de la Misa, Edades 7–9
We Believe and Pray, Grades 4–6
Sacraments Bilingual
Creer • Celebrar • Vivir Edades 7–15
Reconciliación Primaria
Eucaristía Primaria
Reconciliación y Eucaristía Intermedio
Confirmación Restauración del orden sacramental
Confirmación
Creemos y celebramos
Bautismo
Libros de oración
Mi Reconciliación y libro de oración, Edades 7–9
Mi libro de la Misa, Edades 7–9
Lifelong Learning
Bible Resources
The Compass Bible for Catholic Teens
My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories
YOUCAT: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
YOUCAT: Catecismo Joven de la Iglesia Católica
YOUCAT: The Youth Prayer Book
La Biblia católica para jóvenes
Adult Resources
Becoming a Parish of Mercy
The Wounded Body of Christ
Missionary Discipleship
Catechism
Directory for Catechesis (New Edition)
Directory for Catechesis (Spanish New Edition)
The NEW Directory for Catechesis—Highlights and Summaries
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2nd Edition
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
General Directory for Catechesis
National Directory for Catechesis
Professional Development
Professional Development
Catechetical Learning
Theology of the Body Course
Catholic Identity Course
Resources
English | View All
Catechetical Resources
Virtual Events
Religion Blog
Catechetical Downloads
Videos
Liturgical Seasons
CHATechesis Podcast
Bilingual | ver todos
Recursos catequéticos
Eventos Virtuales
Blog de Sadlier Religion
Descargas Catequéticas
Videos
sadlierReligion Hero-1.png

August 26, 2015 WBAS Topics For Families, WBAS Cat Prayers & Reflections

Making a Spiritual Retreat

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” Mark 6:31

I remember my first spiritual retreat vividly. After taking a year off from college I was ready to return with renewed passion for the major I had chosen – elementary education. As a way to mark my entry into this new endeavor I signed up for a weekend spiritual retreat geared for young women. While I enjoyed the presentations by the retreat director and the small group activities, the best times were on my own. The grounds of the retreat center included gardens, walking paths, and a gorgeous view of the Colorado foothills. This may have been where I discovered the blessing of “quiet places” where one finds rest for the soul. The weekend brought me a palpable sense of God’s presence within and around me. It also led me to seek other quiet places as I moved into the busy pace of college life.

The invitation Jesus extended to his disciples so many years ago is one we can accept as well. Our mission as his disciples is to give witness not only through our words, but also through our actions. “Go and do likewise” and “love one another” are not suggestions, they are calls to move forward into the world, transforming it through the power of love. Even so, we are called to the periphery – to step out of center ring, so to speak – in order to maintain our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This certainly doesn’t living in a cloister. Rather it reminds us of the reality of human limits. We simply aren’t meant to be on the go each and every waking moment.

In her classic book, Gift from the Sea, Anne Morrow Lindbergh drew inspiration from the shells strewn along a beach to describe her solitary sojourn by the ocean. Using the delicate spiral of a moon shell to describe the experience of being alone she noted how solitude paradoxically improved her relationships with others. “When one is a stranger to oneself then one is estranged from others, too… Only when one is connected to one’s core is one connected to others… And for me, the core, the inner spring [that nourishes me] can best be refound in solitude.” Going on a spiritual retreat is a wonderful way to find our way back to that inner spring of life.

 Prayer-for-reverence-prayer-card Bright Ideas

  • Learn more about leading Catholic spiritual retreats for children and young people by visiting the We Believe blog.

  • Download my Prayer for Reverence and use the free printable prayer cards as a way to enter into a quiet place.

Prayer for Reverence Download Now

 

 

 More Resources for Catholic Spiritual Retreats

Implementing an Extended Retreat

10 Minute Retreat Reflection