“Your word was my delight and the joy of my heart”
Jeremiah 15:16
Duns Scotus Bible Centre
Advent Retreat 2012 for English-speaking Catholics
On Saturday, 1 December, the Duns Scotus Bible Centre held a Retreat where 55 participants attended. The Advent season should not really be focused...
On Saturday, 1 December, the Duns Scotus Bible Centre held a Retreat where 55 participants attended. The Advent season should not really be focused on the celebration of the birth of the Baby Jesus but rather it should be a time for preparation for the second coming of the adult Jesus.
The four Advent Sunday Mass Gospel Readings and the Christmas Mass Readings were studied. Participants were asked to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s coming: would they be ready, would they be able to let go of materialistic values. Advent was a time of repentance: a time to know oneself, one’s priorities and values and to ‘make our roads straight’. The importance of the role of Mary, the Mother of God was brought up and that attendees should develop a closer relation with Her. Many participants considered that learning about the Readings in advance would definitely inspire them to have a better understanding of this Christmas season.
It was a silent Retreat consisting of 3 talks with sufficient time for deep reflection against a background of soothing music. Everyone also participated in the Recitation of the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
The Retreat provided a haven for participants who might wish to spend some quality time with God. It ended at 5pm with some participants proceeding to attend the evening Sunday Anticipated Mass. What a fitting way of ending a spiritually fulfilling afternoon.