Standing in the Promises: An Online Advent Retreat



...a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices... 

Advent 

A time for reflection. A time of preparation. And yet, it is a time of worldly busyness and overwhelm in the midst of this season of hope and light. Days can feel busy. Hearts can be heavy. Conflicting messages and thoughts compete for our attention everywhere we look. 

Let us Walk With You This Season 

In a world where our time is pulled in different directions, we invite you to pause and join us for our BRAND-NEW ADVENT RETREAT, Standing in the Promises. As you lean into this holy season, this retreat will create space for God to give you the gifts of presence, compassion, love and hope. We are here to accompany you every step of the way.   

God’s Promises Through Scripture Are Everlasting 

Scriptures are filled with promises...promises that give our lives meaning and purpose. God speaks to us through the Living Word. We only need to intentionally slow down and listen for God’s voice. As we prepare for our greatest gift, the birth of Jesus, join us as we quiet our minds and examine these promises through daily reflections and contemplative prayer methods. Each week, we will consider God’s promises of presence, compassion, love and hope. Our hope is that these promises fill you with comfort and joy during the busy Advent season.  

An Ignatian Path  

Standing in the Promises draws from the wisdom of the early part of the second week of the Spiritual Exercises. We are invited to know in a personal way the impact of the fulfilment of the long-awaited promise of the Messiah being born. Jesus is the promise that helps us receive and offer to others the promises of presence, compassion, love and hope. Join us as we walk an Ignatian path through Advent together and reflect on how God might be inviting you to live out these promises with those we encounter and accompany in the world. 

The Purpose Of This Retreat 

The purpose of this unique online Advent retreat is to provide an individual plan for prayer and reflection done on your own schedule. As we stand firm in God’s promises, we will pray for the following graces: 

•  Week 1: For the grace of interior knowledge of God's love and presence with us by sending the gift of Jesus into the world and for the grace to believe in God's promises to be with us always 
• Week 2: For the grace of interior knowledge of God's compassion to me during my life and for the grace to want to be more compassionate to others in their suffering and hardships 
• Week 3: For the grace of interior knowledge of God's unconditional love for me and for the grace to share the promise of God's love with others, even when it's difficult 
• Week 4: For the grace of an increase in the hope that comes from God and for the Christmas season, the grace to increase my belief to stand and live in the promise of hope 
• To Take Forth in the New Year: For the grace, during the Jubilee Year of Hope, to increase my belief in hope so that I might be a sign of hope to those I encounter