(Brendan)
Below I have attached some pics from my weekend at Pacem in Terris, a hermitage in St. Francis, MN (see previous post). I had a wonderful time, and have come back with a whole new appreciation and increased understanding of contemplative prayer. I also have come back completely rested. I ran the numbers... I spent roughly 53 hours at Pacem in Terris, of which 28 were spent sleeping! I haven't been this rested in years. The rest of the hours were spent in prayer, walking the beautiful trails, and in a small amount of reading.
My hermitage, a wonderful little design (I was very excited to be assigned St. Peter, as he is one of my favorite saints)...
A view from the expansive windows, with my food basket next to the rocking chair (bread, cheese, fruit)...
A little "altar" with my Bible and Liturgy of the Hours...
A real tall-grass prairie is part of the grounds...
Walking through the woods (a deer jumped out in front of me once)...
A chair at the end of a long boardwalk out to the lake...
Silence was observed at all times, though some seminarians from the St. Paul Seminary (where my brother is) were there and I saw some of them on the walking paths (only a nod of the head is suggested, in order to maintain silence).
The first word I spoke during the entire weekend were at mass held in the chapel on Sunday morning. What a wonderful place, I will definitely be back!
Below I have attached some pics from my weekend at Pacem in Terris, a hermitage in St. Francis, MN (see previous post). I had a wonderful time, and have come back with a whole new appreciation and increased understanding of contemplative prayer. I also have come back completely rested. I ran the numbers... I spent roughly 53 hours at Pacem in Terris, of which 28 were spent sleeping! I haven't been this rested in years. The rest of the hours were spent in prayer, walking the beautiful trails, and in a small amount of reading.
My hermitage, a wonderful little design (I was very excited to be assigned St. Peter, as he is one of my favorite saints)...
A view from the expansive windows, with my food basket next to the rocking chair (bread, cheese, fruit)...
A little "altar" with my Bible and Liturgy of the Hours...
A real tall-grass prairie is part of the grounds...
Walking through the woods (a deer jumped out in front of me once)...
A chair at the end of a long boardwalk out to the lake...
Silence was observed at all times, though some seminarians from the St. Paul Seminary (where my brother is) were there and I saw some of them on the walking paths (only a nod of the head is suggested, in order to maintain silence).The first word I spoke during the entire weekend were at mass held in the chapel on Sunday morning. What a wonderful place, I will definitely be back!
1 comment:
I've been there. It is a wonderful place. However, when I was there, there was no priest making a retreat, hence no opportunity for Mass. Driving to town for Sunday Mass ruins the retreat experience. Always inquire whether a priest will be on the grounds prior to making a reservation.
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