Welcome to the Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center’s blog! This blog will extend our retreat ministry by bringing prayers and reflections into your home ‘retreat’. Many of our presenters and staff share their homilies, favorite prayers and reflections through this medium. We encourage you to comment, pass it along to friends or simply take a moment to pray with us. We hope that this will serve as a moment during your day when you can ‘retreat with us’.
Today marks the Feast of Epiphany, the day that Jesus was presented to the Gentiles through the Magi. It can be viewed as a symbol of our pilgrimage to life through Christ. Imagine the journey of these kings, Persian priests...following a star...relying on this astrological knowledge and years of study...yet guided by faith to endure. Where are you on your pilgrimage today? Are you still seeking the Light? Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the…
Happy New Year! As we embark on this fresh start, we invite you to intentionally summon the blessings and gratitude for the positive moments of the year behind us and set positive intentions for 2023. Let's step into the new year with love and cling to hope for the future... Love - to be the north star in my soul, leading me always in the direction of Divine Light. Stillness - to sweet through my restless mind, instilling calmness and…
A Christmas Prayer Not gold, nor myrrh, nor even frankincense would I have for you this season, but simple gifts, the ones that are hardest to find, the ones that are perfect, even for those who have everything (if such there be). I would (if I could) have for you the gift of courage, the strength to face the gauntlets only you can name, and the firmness in your heart to know that you (yes, you!) can be a bearer…
As Christmas Eve quickly approaches, we share this beautiful song from Amy Grant. It's not new, but it's a favorite of many and speaks to the mystery, doubt and ultimate faith of Mary as she prepared to give birth to the Savior of the World. May you and your loved ones be blessed as you prepare for the greatest gifts of all! Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,…
Today's post comes from writer and retreat presenter, Mary DeTurris Poust. This was the reading for today within her "Waiting in Joyful Hope" Advent reflections book. Mary provides timely inspiration for our faith via insights from Scripture during this fourth week of Advent. Let's settle into a quiet, comfortable space and read below. Signs and Wonder Readings: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Luke 1:57-66 Scripture: All who heard these things took them to heart, saying “What, then, will this child be?” For…
During this 3rd week of Advent, we reflect on the story of John the Baptist from scripture below and our theme of joy. What brings your joy during this season? Share with us below and may we all seek the joy of God's presence today. When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for…
During yesterday's Advent retreat with Sr. Bernie Claps, she began with the following scripture, prayer and song. We share it with the hope that you'll be able to take a few moments to sit in the silence today so that you may feel the renewal of God coming into your life during this Advent season. (Stay tuned: Sunday's blog will feature another meditation from this retreat.) Opening Prayer "Lord, open my heart to hear your word for me today. I…
During this 2nd week of Advent, we focus on peace. What does that mean to you? This prayerful meditation by Lindy Thompson inspires us with the many layers of peace that the upcoming birth of Christ can provide. See if you can visualize the image that the prayer closes with... As one flame, shared candle to candle, can fill a sanctuary with light, so be it with your peace, from one heart to another, one interaction at a time, until…
In this season of waiting, breathe in life. Life of the One who created all things, whose image we bear. In this season of waiting, breathe in love. Love of the One who gave a precious Son to live as one of us. In this season of waiting breathe in peace. Peace of the One who calmed the sea and quiets the tumult of our souls. In this season of waiting breathe in hope. Hope that the One for whom…
Candles and Christmas lights are beginning to shine all around us now and the 1st candle of Advent has been lit. As the sun sets earlier, it's often a joy to light up the darkness with the glow of candles as we prepare for the birth of Jesus during Advent. This can be more than purposeful light though. There are many analogies that can be drawn from the candle. Let's prayerfully read this cute, but poignant story about our Advent…
