Men's retreat opens them to the Holy Spirit

Friday, Oct. 10, 2014

Amazing! Humbling! Unprecedented!  Transforming!  These are but a few of the many exclamations Father Gustavo Vidal elicited following the 4th Annual Men’s Retreat from Saint Mary Catholic Church in West Haven, of which he is pastor. He encourages all men to participate in the retreat.

“If men are changed spiritually, God’s power through them changes the dynamics of the Church,” he said. 

Over the four years, more than 130 men have attended the three-day retreat, which take place on the second weekend of August at a location just outside of Bloomington, Idaho.  

These retreats are not only a profound encounter with Christ, they also are an opportunity to face oneself by facing the Lord and each other. 

For the retreats, “we find applicable written material that speaks to men,” Fr. Vidal said. “Then we read it, share it through group presentations and activities, and finally apply the essence of the material in a variety of ways. The men come away with their lives having been filled by the Holy Spirit to change things in their lives that will make a difference in their families, communities and the lives of those in our parish.”  

Most of the men who attend for the first time will admit they had apprehension, but the retreat offers a close encounter experience with God that they will never forget.  

This year, the St. Mary Men’s Retreat took place Aug. 8-10. The theme was taken from the book The Glorious Holy Spirit, by Fr. Cedric Pisegna, C.P. Forty-two men explored the hunger in their heart to have a more abundant and closer life with Jesus Christ, and acquired a greater appreciation for how the Holy Spirit works in their lives to conquer sin.  They learned that the Holy Spirit makes an inner change from self to God and then to others. Already, since the retreat, many men have expressed how the fruit of the Holy Spirit has been borne out in their personal lives.  

One highlight of the retreat was traversing the Stations of the Cross placed along a steep hill. At the top of the hill was Station 12, with a 20-foot steel crucifix. There the men participated in the Litany of the Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

To continue the spiritual journey of the retreat, the men are encouraged to participate in Flame Keepers, a post-retreat group. 

Next year’s Men’s Retreat is scheduled for Aug. 7– 9. All men are welcome, regardless of parish or faith affiliation. For information, visit www.stmarysutah.org.