From May 12 to 16 2016, all the members of the General Government had a retreat at "Holy Camaldolese Hermitage,” the last hermitage founded by Saint Romuald. That was in the year 1025. So, we made our retreat in an ancient place.
As usual, the retreat was divided into two parts: the first part was given to deep sharing by each of us. And the second part was on a theme connected with our service of animation. This second part was given by the Prior of the hermitage, Alessandro Barban, a renowned theologian in Italy, who is also the Superior General of the "Camaldolese Congregation of the Order of Saint Benedict." We had two sessions with him: one was about listening in religious life and the other was on how to create a habit such that this listening becomes a daily "nourishment."
Taking advantage of the presence of a beautiful forest there, and despite lots of mud, we made our meditations under the trees. Nature helped us to better listen to God. We were even happier to see the clouds blending with the morning mist, as this hermitage was located over 1000 meters above the sea level.
We cannot keep quiet about the rich liturgical moments with hermits. Their songs and prayers, interspersed with a little pause, we were carried into this heart to heart dialogue with God.
05/16/2016