A new walk along A simple path

As another long and productive work week winds down, and fresh off last night's remarkable celebration of the Feast of St. Lawrence and the institution of our new acolytes, I now prepare for the second diaconate retreat in two weeks.  Just two weeks ago, we shared the message of A Simple Path with deacon candidates, the men who are now acolytes, and their wives.  This weekend, we will do the same with deacon aspirants, men who are spending one year discerning the possibility of applying to be a candidate.  They too will be given the opportunity to pray and reflect with the beautiful words of Mother Teresa.

A spiritual retreat, along with spirituality classes, and spiritual direction, is most vital for diaconate formation.  We can spend all day teaching church history, Old & New Testament, ecclesiology, etc. but the foundation for the deacon, and all of us really, must be our spiritual dimension.  For the deacon to be able to serve, to be the icon of Christ the servant, he must have a spiritual, personal, deep and intimate relationship with God the Father, believing deeply in the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, and the urgings and promptings of the Holy Spirit.

This retreat will be in Rosaryville, a little further west than the Abbey.  For me, Rosaryville conjures wonderful memories of our two pre-ordination retreats, held just weeks before ordination in December of 2008.  Beautiful grounds, an exquisite chapel, Rosaryville is another wonderful place to pray, pause and reflect.

So pray with me for the men, and their wives, of our 2015 Deacon Class as they walk A Simple Path.