The Office of Vocation Ministry offers Men’s Retreats twice a year. These retreats offer participants a prayerful and fraternal experience as we engage with the virtues and questions of faith, masculinity, sacrifice, and service. Connections are made between those who are trying to consistently live their faith in an increasingly secular world. The virtue for each retreat is chosen from amongst the Lasallian 12 Virtues of a Good Teacher, and this retreat centered on gentleness.
Commenting on his experience, Marco, a participant in the Rue Neuve live-in Discernment Program remarked that he “learned some valuable insights on the virtue of gentleness, and was given ample opportunities to spend in prayer and recollection.” When asked about the other participants he shared, “I had the pleasure to meet some great and faithful men and learned from their experiences.”
Brother Peter began with an overview of virtue inspired by Scripture, the Catechism, and Greek philosophers. After a lively discussion on living a virtuous life, we prayed the Rosary and Night Prayer. The Six-Decade Rosary included passages from Scripture and excerpts of Meditations from the Founder for each mystery. We gathered for social and conversation to end the night.
The Founder’s life and his writings played a pivotal role throughout the retreat. Michael, a new campus minister at St. John’s College HS shared that he “found a deeper grounding in my faith during this retreat. It reignited a fire in my soul to emulate the spirit and example of La Salle, especially his passion for guiding and developing young people in faith, integrity, and purpose.” On his first day back in ministry he noticed his focus on gentleness led to an immediate improvement in the way he corrected his students.
Saturday was a contemplative day exploring the virtue of gentleness through a presentation, self-reflection, and group discussion. We joined the local Parish for Confession and Mass which was celebrated by Fr. Michael Lobmardi, graduate of CBA Syracuse’s Class of 1987. Upon returning to the retreat center, we prayed together during a candle-lit Holy Hour with Adoration and Exposition. The conversations about prayer, life experiences, and virtue continued with the cigar and bourbon social around the bon-fire.
The next Men’s Retreat takes place the weekend of January 30th at the Immaculate Conception Retreat Center in Huntington, Long Island. The retreat is open to men over the age of 21. For more information please visit fscdena.org/retreats/.
