A Little Time in Silence

After moving to Mundelein on August 20th, new seminarians began a nearly week-long orientation process. After having been sufficiently oriented, we were blessed with the opportunity to participate in a silent retreat. And yes, despite the fact that I talk more than is considered healthy for one individual, I did still consider this a blessing. Honestly, how many times does one get to put aside all the distractions of life (read: cell phone, facebook/email, television, etc.) to concentrate solely on spending time in prayer and building up a relationship with God?

I took the week very seriously. There was no collection of cell phones or turning off of the internet; I suppose if one wanted to 'cheat,' it would have been very easy to do so. But I was determined to give all of what I could to the silence--to let God speak to me in whatever ways He had planned.

And speak to me He did. I can't say that I saw any visions or was given over to mysticism, but I did feel a sincere sense of peace throughout the entirety of that week. Fr. Andrew Ricci, rector of the Cathedral in Superior, WI, was the retreat master, and his conferences were quite an experience. Thought-provoking and challenging at times, Fr. Andrew spoke exactly the words that I needed to hear at the beginning of this journey.

Also, having ample time to myself, I picked up a book that I've been very eager to finish (ever since I started it almost a year ago; what can I say? I get distracted easily!). Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul by St. Maria Faustina Kowalksa was stunning to me. The beauty of this saint's experiences with Christ and her profound acceptance of God's will in her life spoke volumes to me in the silence of this week. The holiness that radiated from those pages made me truly want to seek the same depth of relationship with God for myself. God, grant me this grace!

To close, I'd like to share with you a piece of prose written by my newest saintly friend and intercessor, St. Faustina. In it, she communicates with simple words the True Presence and her soul's response to It. May we all take her words to heart and seek the same thing in our lives.

My heart is drawn there where my God is hidden,

Where He dwells with us day and night,

Clothed in the White Host;

He governs the whole world, He communes with souls.

My heart is drawn there where my God is hiding,

Where His love is immolated.

But my heart senses that the living water is here;

It is my living God, though a veil hides Him.