Our busy world is constantly testing us, drawing us away from the oasis of God’s love and our true identity. Eventually, we find our spirits feeling muddled, tired, and disoriented. We find it harder and harder to make decisions, let alone discern with wisdom the way of the Lord in our lives! 

But God has not left us without resource.

Lent, the forty days before Easter that the world-wide Christian church observes, invite us to step back, breathe deeply, and return to the source of our identity.

We invite you to “come away for a while” (Mk 6:31) – away from the busy and join Jesus in the desert where he roots into his relationship with the Father.

That desert clarity is at the heart of Lent–

and at the heart of what this retreat offers you. 

Over two weeks, you’ll be offered three “oases” of intentional spiritual time – simple, accessible, and renewing:

• Three Zoom gatherings (Thursdays, March 5, 12, and 19, 1.5 hours each) where we will learn, pray, and reflect together in a variety of ways.
• Daily spiritual practices that you choose and tailor to your schedule.
• One or two meetings with a Spiritual Director – in person or online – to help you listen for the movement of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Spiritual Direction

If you’ve been curious about spiritual direction, this retreat is a gentle and meaningful way to experience it.

The spiritual director is a companion to help hold sacred space to listen deeply. If you have never tried spiritual direction, this is a good introduction to see if it is a practice that God is inviting you into. Dominican Center Marywood will match you with a certified director. Be sure to fill out the pairing form during registration.

“In the spiritual life it’s much more important to know how to listen than to know how to talk…All one can do is walk with the other and help others rightly to hear themselves…When they are heard, it seems, they can begin to hear [God].” Richard Rohr, What the Mystics Know, 47-48

When we slow ourselves down enough to really listen, we encounter truth, we encounter God. We connect more deeply within ourselves, with others, and with God. Our fragmentation integrates and we discover what to hold on to, what to let go—vital actions for anyone in transition.

Come away for a while. Come to the quiet of the desert where Christ meets us.

Come be renewed in your spirit this Lent.

The Busy Person Lenten Retreat is a collaboration of the Catholic Information Center and the Dominican Center Marywood.

For those who attended previous Busy Person’s Retreats, this is a new offering, so join us!