Over the weekend of February 21 – 23, a spiritual retreat for women took place at Mount Mother of God. The theme of the meeting was to familiarize with the fundamental elements of the Holy Year 2025 - pilgrims of hope. On Friday, the program was initiated by the organizers Jana M., Veronika P., and Marta P., with a communal dinner and introductions. After dinner, Father Jenda arrived and outlined the main points of the retreat before the evening prayer in the chapel. The first lecture was right on Saturday during the morning Mass, as Jenda then left for the Episcopal ordination in Hradec Králové. In his talk, he highlighted the pillars of hope (pilgrimage, reconciliation, indulgences). Jenda explained with illustrative examples how God the Father can heal our sins and their consequences on the soul through indulgences. Just like when a child breaks a window, tells their parents, feels sorry, but the window remains broken. However, God can repair it at His own expense. That is a great grace. He then invited us to meditate in silence, and those who wanted could share in small groups about the texts of hope in God's promises.
We thank Hanka A. and all the women who prepared good food and brought treats; we all felt very well because of this. After lunch, most of us set out for a walk to a nearby viewpoint. On a sunny winter afternoon, even though there was a chilly wind, we had a lovely conversation.
In the afternoon lectures, Jenda encouraged us towards hope, which helps us cope with difficulties. We are saved by hope, and without Christ's cross, our hope could not be deep, even though understanding the cross is not simple for us. Accepting our identity in the Father and doing what God wants from me gives me a sense of being loved.
The highlight of the spiritual retreat was the evening prayer of praise with the opportunity to approach reconciliation and intercessory prayer. To lay down with trust in God's arms what does not belong to us was empowering.
In conclusion, allow me to ask a small survey question: What did you take away from this year's spiritual retreat?
Káťa U., as the youngest participant, mentions that she was touched by the sharing in small groups. She remembers the guidance on how to live in hope: 1. to have a close relationship with the Lord - prayer, 2. to surrender, and 3. to have hope with patience.
The oldest participant, Mrs. Anna V., is grateful for getting to know the individual steps of the Holy Year. The thought that we are children of peace touched her deeply. With a smile on her face, she said she was grateful for how she was received in such a age-diverse community of participants.
On behalf of all participants and for the successful course of the spiritual retreat, Jana Trávníčková expresses her gratitude.
