This was the theme of our silent retreat from 3rd to the 8th of August 2009. Moderated by Fr. Larry Tan, we were taken on a journey of self denial and then embracing who we actually are. The whole retreat was based on understanding and embracing the “Now”, and not clinging on the past nor hoping for the future Fr. Larry Tan lead us to understand on how to unload the old baggages and to move on from our false self to the true self by using the Lectio Divina method.

At the start of the retreat, we revisited the Lectio Divina method of praying,and we were asked to use it as a method of prayer throughout the whole retreat. It was truly and deeply inspiring. Relying wholly on the word of God for consolation, guidance, protection, love etc was new for some of us. For some it was a time of inner and spiritual healing. For some, it was a time of understanding who we are in a deeper manner rather merely scratching the surface. For others, the silence that we had for the five days managed to change their whole perspective of life which was always full of noises (both externally and internally).

Finally, the retreat taught us that something new happens when something bad happens. We have to learn to die to our false self in order to embrace our true self which is in Christ alone through the help of his Blessed Mother.

- By Kevin Eruthayanathan -