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 we share a beautiful video meditation by James Finley that was created a few years ago. He reminds us to make room for Jesus' arrival, so we've included the prayer below that you may want to use before or after watching the video too. So, let's take a few moments away from the hustle and bustle of the season to focus on what's most important, preparing for the birth of Jesus in our hearts. A Christmas Invitation Come, come,…
If you look for me at Christmas, You won't need a special star. I'm no longer just in Bethlehem, I'm right there where you are. You may not be aware of me Amid the celebrations. You'll have to look beyond the stores And all the decorations. But if you take a moment From your list of things to do And listen to your heart, you'll find I'm waiting there for you. You're the one I want to be with, You're…
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…
We are continuing to share from Sr. Bernie Claps' Advent retreat that was held on Thursday. This is a closing meditation that she offered for the morning session of that retreat. We hope that it inspires you as you prepare to receive blessings from the Spirit this Advent. On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him. ...Then the wolf…
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…
On this 2nd Sunday of Advent, we reflect on peace. We hope and pray for the peace of Jesus to be around us and all around the world. Will you pray with us? Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. ~Matthew 3:3 Advent Prayer for Peace Jesus, Prince of Peace, banish from our souls whatever might endanger peace. Transform us into witnesses of truth, justice and love. Enlighten the minds of rulers that they may care for…
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…
On this first Sunday of Advent, we focus on hope and offer two prayers below as you begin this special season of expectation. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. ~Matthew 24:44 Advent Prayer Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear…
