Annual Retreat

Below, Sr Michele writes an update about our retreat this past year! Also below is a short video of her explaining why nuns need retreats, which we posted on Instagram a few months ago!

This year, our Annual Retreat was guided by Dom Gerard D’Souza, a monk who is the Abbot of Genesee Monastery in the USA, who migrated to America from India as a teenager. He is very experienced in monastic life, and understands the riches and struggles of the Cistercian way. He himself seemed transformed by living it. That was what helped most I think.

We launched off for 8 full days into the desert!  Our duties were at a minimum and there was deep silence (and a constant effort to maintain it) which brought  joy and happiness. One learns much in silence and in solitude. We were ready for a break at that time, to then return to the “ordinary,” and take up the journey again calmly and with love.

Yes, God seems to meet one when one draws apart for Him. But we were not on retreat for ourselves alone, but hopefully too for our suffering brothers and sisters throughout the world. All people shared this gift with us.