Retreat in Loyola

Date: 07 October 2007

A personal report from Judith Collin, of the Christian Life Community in the Clifton Diocese, about her Loyola retreat in August.

The bus from Bilbao was stopped by the police just outside Loyola. Suddenly the whole sky lit up with a magnificent firework display; what a welcome! This set the scene for a memorable retreat.

Forty people had been accepted on an Ecumenical eight day individually guided retreat organised by Jesuit priest Father Gerry Hughes SJ - and I was one of the lucky ones.

As someone who has followed the spiritual exercises and is drawn to Ignatian spirituality there was something very special about being in Ignatius’ birthplace and where he had committed himself to Christ. Each of us walked on our own individual journey, guided by an experienced companion. As the retreat proceeded we drew closer together in the silence.

Loyola is in the heart of the Basque country and the countryside is beautiful. Walks in the surrounding woods and hills enhanced my prayer. Particularly joyful was a climb to the top of the local mountain. I found a statue of Ignatius at the top and the views were stunning. It is wonderful to find God in His glorious creation.

I found it very moving to be in the room where Ignatius lay whilst recovering from his injuries after the battle of Pamplona. I thought about his dreams for serving God and wondered about my dreams. Ignatius had a great devotion to Our Lady so I sought out the beautiful old chapel at Olatz with its statue of Our Lady of Azpeitia. Ignatius used to send an Ave down the valley to her from his sick bed.

At the end of the retreat as part of the review Father Gerry pointed out that when Ignatius wrote the Spiritual exercises he was a lay person with no theological training. Several of the companions on the retreat were lay people. Father Gerry suggested that we need to rediscover lay people ministering to lay people. I found this very encouraging as this is what we try to do in Christian Life Community. During the retreat I felt a call to serve God through Christian Life Community and Father Gerry’s words were an affirmation.

Our final Eucharist was celebrated in Ignatius room in the holy House. It was very moving and I will forget it.

There were no fireworks when we left but I’m sure there was fire in our hearts. I prayed again Ignatius’ suscipe ……

Take Lord and receive, my freedom my memory my understanding and my entire will, all that I have, all that I own; it is Your gift to me, I now return it to You. It is all Yours to be used simply as You wish. Give me Your love and Your grace; it is all I need.

Judith Collin
Useful URL : http://www.clcew.org.uk