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’.
We're finishing up our Winter Directed Retreat tomorrow and many of our guests have already shared on their evaluations how grateful they have been for this time of spiritual direction, silence and stillness. Are you able to take a few quiet moments, listening to God's voice today? In the Stillness by Katy Kauffman In the stillness when it’s just You and me I can be candid, I can be free To express what I’m feeling and going through I…
Tomorrow, we commemorate Martin Luther King, Jr. and the incredible contributions that he made to racial justice, peace and spirituality. Many of the popular quotes that share his wisdom and passion will be shared across all forms of media tomorrow, but it isn't as common to see or hear his beautiful prayers, so we selected this particularly inspiring one. Will you take a few quiet moments to pray with us? Thou Eternal God, out of whose absolute power and infinite…
Today we begin sharing a series on spiritual wellness by friend of the Center, Fr. Michael Schleupner. We're grateful that he shares his posts with our audience and even more grateful for his presence! He's at the Center this week for our Winter Directed Retreat and also celebrating daily Mass in our Chapel. Thank you, Fr. Michael! Let's take a few moments to read his insights about Scripture and scholars. Spiritual Wellness - 1 Staying Centered on Jesus Dear Friends,…
Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. It is set aside to educate people around the world about forms of trafficking, how to identify it and how help those in need. According to the World Vision website: There are 25 million in forced labor 40.3 million adults and children are in forced labor and sexual slavery One in four modern slaves is a child. 14 countries are without adequate laws to prevent trafficking. These are staggering figures. Most people in…
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…
