Going on a retreat

[andypg]

So this weekend one of my classes (a class on Jesuit spirituality) is going to be going on a retreat. Pretty much it will be full weekend to get away from the world and experience God one on one through Ignatian spirituality. I'm looking forward to it.

The only thing is, I'll be skipping church on Sunday because of this. During the weekend, my professor says we're going to have free time where we can do what we want. Since I'll be missing church on Sunday, I wanted that free time to almost "make up" for missing, meaning trying to get as much LDS out of that time as I can.

How would you recommend doing that? I was thinking of taking my Quad (read some of the NT, BoM, or Book of Moses I've been wanting to read), maybe an Ensign, or the Joseph Fielding Smith manual. I'm not sure. What would you guys recommend?

[Guest]

I hope you're not putting guilt on yourself for missing one Sunday at church for this.

I would certainly use the free time to commune with God in scriptures, prayer, and nature. Enjoy your retreat. :)

[andypg]

I feel bad because I haven't been able to go to church the last couple weeks (it's been a busy month for me, unfortunately) and I don't want to miss more or feel like I'm missing out on getting closer to God at church. I love church and miss it.

[yjacket]

If it is a retreat in the traditional sense (i.e. somewhere relatively secluded with the ability to go into nature), I'd just take some scriptures and probably something I can easily fit in little pack (maybe only take the BoM). I'd go on a little hike, find a secluded nice area and meditate.

Personally, I have found some profoundly spiritual moments meditating in nature. In those times where physical temples were unavailable the prophets would go into the mountaintops to commune with God.

If you can't get out in nature, spend a couple of hours studying. Have fun!!

[Quin]

I absolutely promise you: God goes outside.

_______

Seriously, though, one of the few lasting gripes I have about the LDS Church is that I can't make up mass. Aaaaaaargh. Drives me nuts. No Wednesday, no midnight, nothing, zip, nada, zilch except for 1 time on Sunday.

Okay, technically not mass, but you get what I mean.

I had to miss sacrament for nearly a whole YEAR at one point.

Now... Before I converted, I was never bothered by the 'walls of stone' bit. God was everywhere. All around me. Every breath. I'm only one quarter catholic, so I wasn't exactly bound there, either... But if I felt a pressing need to avoid the world, I could head to any cathedral, and many churches 24/7. (I could also go to temple, mosque, shrine, or glade... But then that's my very mixed up heritage).

Once I converted, though, I suddenly felt very limited.

My world narrowed considerably.

And I allowed my relationship with my Heavenly Father to do so, likewise.

It was a mistake.

Come to find, God is still everywhere.

Face. Palm.

Great job there, Quinn.

In every breath and moment. All I have to do is to remember that.

Remembering is the hard part.

Because I want "it" to be special.

And for some stupid, annoying, vexing reason... I've got those "walls of stone" stuck in my head as "special".

When, really, ALL moments with the Spirit & HF are special.

Doesn't have to be LDS-centric.

Spirit transcends boundaries.

Q

[Guest Doctrine]

Enjoy the retreat it could be a very spiritual experience and you will be a better person because of it.

I still go on retreats, but now instead of a catholic one it's now a mormon one at the church camps I like to call fishing trips.

Interesting topic to study, catholic studies. Have memorized all the rosery prayers yet, I still do the rosery with my 90 year old grandma, it makes her feel better, since she is the only catholic one now.

[Guest]

Ooooh, I love retreats! I need to go on one again...

There was this thing called Time Out for Women in Orlando. They have it every year or every two years... it's the closest thing to a retreat that I know of RS activity. I've never been to one but from I know of it, all the women love it but it's not a retreat at all.

There's the Young Women's Camp which is a retreat. But it's only for Young Women.

[Irenaeus]

Retreats are awesome. I've never gone on one with Jesuits, but I've done a few with Benedictines, and they've always been great experiences.

Are there any other Mormons going on the retreat with you? If there are at least two of you, and one of you is a priesthood holder, you may be able to pull-off a mini sacrament service. I remember looking into this when I was in the navy, but I always ran afoul of the "at least two people" rule. There may be other restrictions as well that stop you, but it's something to look into.

Besides that, since your big concern is missing church, perhaps taking as many elements from church as you can is the way to go. Maybe see what they're going to be talking about in the meetings that day, and try to do some reading on the same topics. An ensign could be good as well, since the articles are similar to talks you might get in sacrament meeting.

While obviously quite different, you may want to go to mass there as well. Its not the same as a sacrament meeting, but it could help make of for the communal worship aspect.

Anyway, have fun on your retreat!