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Self-Directed Discernment Retreat
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The Institute for Diaconal Studies is a distinct program that addresses specifically the mission and identity of diaconal ministry while educating men for the three-fold ministry of service to the Word, Liturgy and Charity |
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Day 1 – My Story
Today we begin at the beginning – our story. Prayer is a relationship with God and this day we focus on our personal life in relation to God and, especially, in relationship with Jesus.
Slowly – and prayerfully – we recall that we were born and raised in a particular place and moment in history. Recall the memories and the images. But let’s allow the Lord to show us our lives – Who is there? What occurred? How was I transformed in each of these moments? Were they moments of conversion? ...of hope? …of love?
My parents were... School meant this to me… My closest friends were… and, we used to... Dating brought this emotion and structure into my life… Post-school and my early days seeking a job were... I was married and had children. They mean this to me… My friends changed… and, I changed... My career has developed in this way… Life has thrown me some curves in the road—like the time... I have hopes and dreams and they begin with… God was present when I… God appeared absent to me when... There is a crossroads now present in my life—and it manifests itself in this way… I wish...
Loving God, help me to view my life through your eyes. Where have I aided your church? Where have I failed? Where have I grown? Where have I shown leadership? Guide me in understanding the precious moments of my life and grant me the grace to know that they are stepping stones to being fully alive and being fully Christian. Be by my side as I uncover the mystery of where I am going on the journey—help me to reconcile my past as I put on the new. I pray in your Son’s name, Jesus.
This day…
I will fast from breakfast (Remember, follow your doctor’s orders when it comes to diet and exercise – be sure to hydrate and have small, nutritional snacks). I will set aside alms for the poor (that I will deliver to my parish’s poor box at the end of the week). I will enter into silence for 10 minutes in a special place. I will open my bible and pray Psalm 113 slowly…and then pray it again even…slower.
A question to ponder this day…
Do I consider a personal relationship with God an important part of my life?
My Morning Meditation…
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Psalm 95:8)
One of the most powerful and necessary foundations for effectiveness, in any field, is commitment. Commitment implies that our aims, energies, and time will be aligned with each other. We won’t be scattering our personal or material resources. Everything moves in the same direction.
Today Jesus warns us against the opposite of commitment: being divided inside ourselves. Riding the fence of life, not knowing what we are about, brings deep weakness in our character, even—or especially—in the spiritual realm. If our energies are scattered, when big challenges come, Jesus says, we will collapse.
Many of us are aligned with our true values some of the time. For example, we try to spend daily time in prayer, but then a chance for an early outdoor day trip comes along. What do we do?
Here’s a good practice. Inquire of yourself: Is every part of my life aligned up effectively behind what I really believe in? Do I want to live a committed life? Do I want that kind of power in my life?
Lord, you know where I stand now about commitments. Please be with me where I am, and help me grow in strength and purpose.
- Marilyn Gustin, Liguori Publications 2003
My Evening Contemplation…
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
If the soul does not free itself by way of the cross it can never be free. It is the tremendous surgical operation which the Father himself carries out on the flesh of his son in order to save him. And it is a dogma of faith that without the cross “there is no forgiveness.” A mystery, but it is so. Pain purifies love. It makes it true, real, pure. And in addition it gets rid of what is not really love. It frees love from pleasure which falsifies it like a mask. It makes it a gift freely given.
Jesus, help me to make your prayer my own: “Father, take this cup from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done.”
- Carlo Carretto, Creative Communications
Before I rest…
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you. And I detest all of my sins, not because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all-deserving and worthy of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Luke 2: 29-32
Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us, and after this exile show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.
Institute for Diaconal Studies
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