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 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…
Today's blog is written by retreat presenter Andrea Springer. She offers a great reminder to help us deal with things that get under our skin. What techniques do you use to cope with life's irritations? Andrea will be with us for a day retreat this August and it will be added to our website soon. Stay tuned to learn more about this inspiring day, which will be themed around 'courage'. Now, let's take a few quiet moments to read Andrea's…
One winter morning I awoke to see magnificent lines of frost stretching across my window panes. They seemed to rise with the sunshine and the bitter cold outside. They looked like little miracles that had been formed in the dark of night. I watched them in sheer amazement and marveled that such beautiful forms could be born during such a winter-cold night. Yet, as I pondered them I thought of how life is so like that. We live our long,…
In the Midst of Winter Lord, In the midst of Winter, when the days are cold and wind can pierce remind us of the warmth of your love. In the midst of Winter, when days are short, dawn comes late, and dusk arrives early remind us that in the darkness your light still shines. In the midst of Winter, when the flowers of spring still lie hidden in the earth, when leaves are off the trees, and the world can…
Keeping with the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr., we are sharing a week of prayers for peace today. Will you commit just a few minutes to sit in silence and pray for peace each day this week? Sunday Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill my heart, my world, my universe. Amen. ~Universal…
It's easy to focus on the cold and barren setting of winter, but there is so much beauty in the season too. Let's take a few moments to meditate on some of the wonders of this quiet season and connect with our Creator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0l-k-LyQB8
