Retreats and pilgrimages

[pmcleanj]

How often do you go on retreat or pilgrimage?

I just came back from the annual women's retreat hosted by our local Lutheran bible camp. The two-day meditation series was the best of such things I have ever experienced. So, I'm high on the idea.

Next spring, we'll go on the annual congregational retreat. We've done that every year since my youngest was born, except the year we were without a home congregation, and last year when the congregation where we'd found a home was without a church building and as a result, fairly disrupted in its planning ability. So for me, that's two retreats each year.

An interesting question came up yesterday. I'd asked one of the other women whether she'd ever considered making a pilgrimage. We're reading aloud as a family right now, a novel set in the context of a pilgrimage, so the notion was fresh in my mind. My friend asked, "what's the difference between a pilgrimage and a vacation trip?" Oddly, it didn't occur to her to ask "what's the difference between a retreat and a camping weekend?"

So, in your mind, what is the difference?

There are two notable pilgrimage locations near here. One is the Cree shrine at Lac Sainte Anne, where in the nineteenth century a Firt Nations girl saw a vision of Our Lady's mother. The other is the image of Our Lady of the Rockies in Butte Montana.

If you were considering making a pilgrimage, where would you go?

[AveMaria]

I average about 2 retreats (usually one with a church group, one on my own or with a small group of friends) per year, they're typically long weekends. Just got back from one about a month ago, actually.

As far as pilgrimages, I really want to do the Santiago de Compostela, but I'm just not at a point in my life where I can take that much time off from work and other responsibilities. I'm sure, when the time is right, things will fall into place and this pilgrimage will be possibe.

And the difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage? Hmm, I'd say a vacation doesn't necessarily involve the sacred or a search for moral significance.

[Songspinner]

CAn't say I get to go on anymore retreats anymore. I used to do several a year when I was involved woth the youth of our diocese but its been a while since I've done one. I must say that I miss going, I loved every minute of them.

I don't remember the name of it, but I've always wanted to do a pilgrimage in Spain. It's actually a fairly comman one and the trail is all marked out by hearts and they give you hearts to wear on your clothes so as your walking threw all these little spanish towns they know your a pilgram and apparently will treat you very well. Also at the cathedral at then end is the worlds largest thurible, designed for dealing with stinky pilgrams. I'm betting thats I sight to see.:liturgy:

[PaladinValer]

I've never gone on one, but last summon, our J2A's went on a fantastic pilgrimage to San Fransisco for an entire week. Our rector also went on a pilgrimage a month or so earlier to the British Isles for a pilgrimage as well. He has a good knowledge of Celtic Christianity and he came back with loads to tell us.

[TomUK]

I go on a yearly pilgrimage to Walsingham - England's Nazareth. (http://www.walsingham.org.uk)

[LADY DI]

I've never gone on one, but last summon, our J2A's went on a fantastic pilgrimage to San Fransisco for an entire week. Our rector also went on a pilgrimage a month or so earlier to the British Isles for a pilgrimage as well. He has a good knowledge of Celtic Christianity and he came back with loads to tell us.
:wave: Hi PaladinValer!!!!

I'm curious about your pilgrimage to San Fransisco--what did you go there to see???
I live 70 miles from San Fransisco and I'm always looking for new things to see there. Every time I get to go there, we always go to the same place. :sigh:

[LADY DI]

How often do you go on retreat or pilgrimage?

I just came back from the annual women's retreat hosted by our local Lutheran bible camp. The two-day meditation series was the best of such things I have ever experienced. So, I'm high on the idea.

Next spring, we'll go on the annual congregational retreat. We've done that every year since my youngest was born, except the year we were without a home congregation, and last year when the congregation where we'd found a home was without a church building and as a result, fairly disrupted in its planning ability. So for me, that's two retreats each year.

An interesting question came up yesterday. I'd asked one of the other women whether she'd ever considered making a pilgrimage. We're reading aloud as a family right now, a novel set in the context of a pilgrimage, so the notion was fresh in my mind. My friend asked, "what's the difference between a pilgrimage and a vacation trip?" Oddly, it didn't occur to her to ask "what's the difference between a retreat and a camping weekend?"

So, in your mind, what is the difference?

There are two notable pilgrimage locations near here. One is the Cree shrine at Lac Sainte Anne, where in the nineteenth century a Firt Nations girl saw a vision of Our Lady's mother. The other is the image of Our Lady of the Rockies in Butte Montana.

If you were considering making a pilgrimage, where would you go?
:wave: Hi pmcleanj!!!!

:( Sadly, it's been 7 years since I last went on a retreat, and it is much needed!!!
Before I got married. I went on retreats regularly--at least 2 or 3 a year.
Hopefully, I'll be able to go on one soon in the near future.

If I were to go on a pilgrimage--well there's too many places I want to go, let's see---England, Ireland, Israel, Rome, Greece, Egypt and Turkey, just to name a few. :D


That's very interesting, I didn't know there was an image of Our Lady in the Rocky Mountains--that's something I could go see.

Was the first nations girl made a saint---I saw a program on a catholic tv station about a first nations girl who was made a saint---I'm wondering if this is the same girl. This is something that interest me--being that I'm Santee Sioux.

[Bonifatius]

I go on a yearly pilgrimage to Walsingham - England's Nazareth. (http://www.walsingham.org.uk/)
Hi Tom,
as you know, I plan to go there next year for the National Pilgrimage ...
:wave:

[Father Rick]

Unfortunately, I don't get to get away that often like I used to. A favorite place for my wife and me to go to is St. Augustine. It's part 'get-away' and part retreat. I love to worship at the Basilica there--just because it is so beautiful to me. I also go to the Greek Orthodox Shrine (which has stunning iconography), as well as the Mission de Nombre de Dios (the location of the first Christian church service in North America-- a mass said by Ponce de Leon's chaplain) which has a wonderful little shrine in the middle of a prayer garden. In addition to the 'spiritual' get-away places, I love the old architecture, artwork, etc.

Although it is very refreshing for me, it's not the same as going to a 'real' retreat.

[Cjwinnit]

Pilgrimage? hah! My school was in Durham ( http://www.britainexpress.com/History/saxon/cuthbert.htm ), the entire school (and as I was in the chior, i spent quite a while doing evensongs there..) would go every few weeks..

[Bonifatius]

Pilgrimage? hah! My school was in Durham ( http://www.britainexpress.com/History/saxon/cuthbert.htm ), the entire school (and as I was in the chior, i spent quite a while doing evensongs there..) would go every few weeks..
Oh, how I envy you ....! :wave:

[Cjwinnit]

Oh, how I envy you ....! :wave:
Yeah, it's a really awe-inspiring place, especially when you consider I was confirmed there. I have some really cool pictures of the place, I should dig them out sometime.. (some of places you don't often see like the cloisters and the old monastery buildings.


If any CF member is in the area (unfortunately it's "off the beaten track" as far as most tourists are concerned, but believe me, there is no other place on earth I want to live) I would be happy to give a personal tour :)

edit: Blessings? AAAAH!! upide-down 666!!!!! :(

[PaladinValer]

:wave: Hi PaladinValer!!!!

I'm curious about your pilgrimage to San Fransisco--what did you go there to see???
I live 70 miles from San Fransisco and I'm always looking for new things to see there. Every time I get to go there, we always go to the same place. :sigh:
1. I said our J2A's; I am much too old to be one (I'm 23) ;)
2. I know they went to that parish with the iconography all over the walls of different historical persons, but that's about all I learned. I'd have to ask one of the former J2A's (they now constitute a new youth group in the program [yes, I forgot the name]) what exactly they did.

They did seem quite "different" when they came back though, and I mean "different" in the best, most spiritual way. :)

[LADY DI]

1. I said our J2A's; I am much too old to be one (I'm 23) ;)
2. I know they went to that parish with the iconography all over the walls of different historical persons, but that's about all I learned. I'd have to ask one of the former J2A's (they now constitute a new youth group in the program [yes, I forgot the name]) what exactly they did.

They did seem quite "different" when they came back though, and I mean "different" in the best, most spiritual way. :)

Sorry PaladinValer, I mis-read your post---that's what I get for staying up too late!!!
I'm glad your church youth group had a good experience with the trip.
I think I know what church it was.

[Bonifatius]

If any CF member is in the area (unfortunately it's "off the beaten track" as far as most tourists are concerned, but believe me, there is no other place on earth I want to live) I would be happy to give a personal tour :)

True true, I only got as far as York, no mile further north ... but York was nice though.

I'd love to do a tour of Northern England some time - Yorkshire Dales and Durham of course and get a nice impression of the home of "Yorkshire Tea" which I've got at home at the moment... :thumbsup: :thumbsup: (normally I'm on "Typhoo")

CU
Tom