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’.
On this first Sunday of Lent, you may have already decided to adopt some form of fasting into the sacred season. Are you abstaining from meat? Only eating a light meal? Taking a break from the news? What does this mean to you? Are you substituting this time with something positive within your Lenten journey? Author Mary DeTurris Poust included a chapter on fasting within her book Cravings and it ends with this prayerful meditation. What does it mean to…
March is nationally recognized as Women's History Month and next Tuesday is International Women's Day. We'll be celebrating by highlighting a weekly series of women's poetry and a short, little-known fact about a pioneering woman from our history. This series will appear each Friday in March. Comment and let us know which are your favorites poems, or share a new poem with us! Today's fun fact highlights Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) and the poems were written by the infamous Emily Dickinson…
Who We Really Are May our eyes remain open even in the face of tragedy. May we not become disheartened. May we find in the dissolution of our apathy and denial, the cup of the broken heart. May we discover the gift of the fire burning in the inner chamber of our being — burning great and bright enough to transform any poison. May we offer the power of our sorrow to the service of something greater than ourselves. May…
The people of Ukraine are on our minds today. It's difficult to grasp what they must be going through, what they must be feeling. It's easy to feel helpless from across the globe, but we can all help by praying. Pope Francis said, “I invite everyone to make March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace. I encourage believers in a special way to devote themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of…
Fr. Michael Schleupner shared the homily below last week and we think our readers will also enjoy his insights. How does it shed light on this passage from Luke for you? And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate…
We celebrate the Feast Day of Blessed John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico) today. Are you familiar with the work of this Patron Saint of Artists? We're taking this opportunity to share a few of his famous paintings. How does spiritual art inspire your faith? Share your thoughts about his artwork in the comments. "Artists—painters, sculptors, musicians—have long known that being attuned to the light, the ability to see deeply, connects us with the holy in a fresh and new way.”…
Today, we continue our Wednesday poetry series for Black History Month. Enjoy the work of Frances E. W. Harper (1825-1911) and modern day poet Nikki Giovanni too. Songs for the People Let me make the songs for the people, Songs for the old and young; Songs to stir like a battle-cry Wherever they are sung. Not for the clashing of sabres, For carnage nor for strife; But songs to thrill the hearts of men With more abundant life. Let me…
Today's blessing was shared by presenter Gordon Creamer during last week's Grief Retreat. During these long winter days, it is something we can likely all relate to and embrace. Let's take a few quiet moments, light a candle if you can, and pray these healing words. Blessing for Candlemas & Grief’s Winter Journey May our eyes remain open even in the face of tragedy. May we not become disheartened. May we find in the dissolution of our apathy and denial,…
Today we continue our Black History Month poetry series with inspiring pieces from the beloved Maya Angelou. She was not only an incredibly gifted writer, but a civil rights activist too. "Equality" was written in 1990, yet that the dream of equality is still yet to be fully achieved. The 2nd poem we're highlighting was written in 1995, entitled "Touched by An Angel" and focuses on something that can make her vision of equality possible, love. We hope you enjoy…
Today's reflection shares some exciting news from retreat presenter Mary DeTurris Poust! We're happy to share that she'll have more time to presenter retreats at our Center in the future! How does her news push you to reflect on what you're born to do? Have you be quieting that 'still small voice' or are you actively listening? Knowing — and doing — what we’re born to do by Mary DeTurris Poust on January 7, 2022 Hanging on my office door…
