This page is for the OVERNIGHT option for Cohort 8 (*recommended* for the most complete experience). Please click the following links if you prefer the COMMUTER option or the VIRTUAL option. Lodging room check-in for overnight guests will begin at 4pm, and the program will start after dinner. Intensive Training Program for Those Interested in Spiritual Direction Course Description and Goals: This will be the 8th cohort of students within our Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute. The first week-long…
“The Lord will come and he will not delay.” (Cf. Habakkuk 2:3) Advent is about waiting and preparing for the coming of Jesus, commemorating his birth/first coming and also anticipating the second coming of Christ. But our Christian faith tells us that God is with us, already and still. This holy season invites us to encounter God in the present, in the day-to-day of our lives. Set aside some personal time and join us for a quiet day of prayer…
Are you looking to go deeper in your relationship with God? Join us as we experience the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Our retreat will explore some of the key aspects of the spirituality which flowed out of the life and Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who was declared the Patron Saint of retreats by Pope Pius XI in 1922. This retreat will introduce participants to Ignatian methods of prayer, such as the Daily Examen. Guests will…
The Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute offers a nationally-recognized training program in the art and skill of spiritual direction. Participants gather three sessions, each time for an intensive week. Session 3 of Cohort 7 of the Spiritual Direction Institute will focus on dealing with particular populations, such as victims of abuse and LGBTQ+ persons. A session on setting up a spiritual direction practice will be included. Each student will present two case studies of spiritual direction from their practicum in…
The Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute offers a nationally-recognized training program in the art and skill of spiritual direction. Participants gather three sessions, each time for an intensive week. Session 3 of Cohort 7 of the Spiritual Direction Institute will focus on dealing with particular populations, such as victims of abuse and LGBTQ+ persons. A session on setting up a spiritual direction practice will be included. Each student will present two case studies of spiritual direction from their practicum in…
The Bon Secours Spiritual Direction Institute offers a nationally-recognized training program in the art and skill of spiritual direction. Participants gather three sessions, each time for an intensive week. Session 3 of Cohort 7 of the Spiritual Direction Institute will focus on dealing with particular populations, such as victims of abuse and LGBTQ+ persons. A session on setting up a spiritual direction practice will be included. Each student will present two case studies of spiritual direction from their practicum in…
So often we imagine that in order to be loved, we must become better, different, perfect. But what if the things we think need to be “fixed” to make us more lovable — flaws and weaknesses, mistakes, and sins — are the very things that make us beautiful in our own way? In this retreat, we will use Psalm 139 as a touchstone and will learn to see our brokenness as a beauty mark instead of a scar. We will…
Amy Sorensen Kulesa shared this poem with us, originally from ordinary on purpose. All of these are the perfect reasons to call out to God in prayer. GOD HEARS! More Hope... God hears. God hears our fancy, formal, memorized prayers, fingers slipping over beads. God hears our bitter, angry prayers. Why, God??? How??? What am I supposed to do now, God??? God hears our tiny, whispered pleas. Every single word. Please. Help. Be near. Or even… God???? God hears through our…
This week's blog post is written by Sr. Sara Dwyer, a regular retreat presenter at the Center. She will be leading a week-long retreat in August and this post is a little snapshot of what the week will hold. You can learn more about the retreat and Sr. Sara by clicking HERE. Whispers of Grace I chose “Whispers of Grace” as the title for a weeklong retreat because that’s how I generally experience grace in my life. Grace is the…
In Maryland, March 13 is recognized as Good Samaritan Day. Today, we celebrate those that act as Good Samaritans, serving, caring, and loving those in need. Let's take a moment to remember the story of the Good Samaritan: The Parable of the Good Samaritan On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He…