As the summer season ends and autumn nears, friars and retreat centers are inviting friends to deepen their prayer life and broaden their horizons.
Michael Calabria, OFM, of Washington, D.C.,will lead an overnight retreat, “An Interwoven World: The Christian-Islamic Fabric of Culture,” from Sept. 26 to 27 at the Franciscan Spiritual Center in Aston, Pa. The workshop addresses the myth that Christians and Muslims are locked in a “clash of civilizations.” According to the event’s description, “The worlds of Christianity and Islam have been interdependent for more than a millennia, freely borrowing from and inspired by one another to produce magnificent works of art and architecture, as well as advances in virtually every field of science.” The workshop will “explore the common cultural heritage of Christianity and Islam while considering the sources of current global tensions.”
The program will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and continue through Saturday afternoon. A vigil liturgy will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The cost of the retreat is $25 for residents and $15 for commuters, including lunch. More information is available on the center’s website.
Also at the Franciscan Spiritual Center, Thomas Hartle, OFM, of Butler, N.J.,will give a retreat, “The Great Advent Conspiracy” from Dec. 12 to 14. The event’s description reads: “The breath of God, a changing wind, an unexpected breeze. What a scandal! How outrageous! Oh! the passion! A reflective journey through Advent.” The retreat will begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 and end at 11 a.m. on Dec. 14. It will cost $180 for residents and $130 for commuters.
In Tampa, Fla., Anthony Carrozzo, OFM, of St. Petersburg, Fla.,will lead a retreat about St. Francis from 3 to 7 p.m. on the feast, Oct. 4. The event will provide time to reflect on and pray the saint’s prayers. Spending time with these prayers will allow participants “to discover Francis’s relationship with the Lord, as well as the deepest desires of his heart” and to reflect on the question “How Franciscan is my prayer life?” The program includes Mass and dinner, and will cost $25. Interested persons are asked to RSVP by Oct. 1 to reserve seating.
— Compiled by Maria Hayes