2017 Lenten Retreat – Silent Marian Retreat

Friday, Feb. 24, 2017

WEST HAVEN — A full-day retreat that will focus on Marian devotion will also offer other devotionals, including Eucharistic adoration and the Divine Mercy chaplet. 

The retreat’s Marian dimension will recognize “Our Lady’s role in bringing us closer and closer to her son,” said Donna Masek, the St. Mary parishioner who is organizing the retreat. “It would be optimal for people to get to know her, to deepen their relationship with her, so that she in turn will deepen their relationship with Christ and give them a more meaningful Lenten, Holy Week, Easter experience.” 

The retreat is sponsored by the parish’s Militia of the Immaculata Villages. Masek describes an MI Village as a prayer group. The Militia Immaculata (which translates as “Army of the Immaculate One”), was organized in 1917 Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar. The purpose of the MI is to work for the conversion of sinners through the Virgin Mary’s intercession.

Father Kolbe was martyred in Auschwitz when he volunteered to take the place of another man chosen by the Nazi guards to be starved to death as punishment because three other prisoners escaped. 

This year marks the centenary of the founding of the MI, a fact reflected in the retreat title, “100 Years of History and Mission!”

The retreat presenter will be Father Gregory Dick, O. Praem, a retreat master from the Norbertine community at St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, Calif. 

“We chose Fr. Gregory because he is an experienced retreat master within the Militia of the Immaculata movement and has given numerous silent retreats for the Father Kolbe missionary community,” Masek said.

This year also is the 100th anniversary of the last apparition of the Virgin Mary at Fatima, “so Fr. Gregory will intertwine both of those historic events on Saturday, March 11,” Masek said.

In addition to the four talks by Fr. Gregory, times of prayer and silent meditation will be included in the retreat. The choir will chant the Divine Mercy chaplet at 3 p.m., and the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available.

“By intertwining the four talks of the priest with periods of times of reflection and contemplation, people will be moved by the Spirit or awakened in some way; hopefully as to what they can grow in, or how they can deepen their own walk with Christ throughout the day,” Masek said.

The retreat will end with a Mass and, for those who wish to participate, a Rite of Total Consecration to the Immaculata led by Father Gustavo Vidal, pastor of St. Mary Parish. 

The evening before the retreat, the parish will offer Stations of the Cross, a free Lenten meal of soup and salad, and a movie that will focus on the life of a saint, Masek said. 

Presenter: Father Gregory Dick, O. Praem

WHEN: Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

WHERE: St. Mary Catholic Church, 4050 South 3900 West, West Haven

COST: Suggested $10 per person; lunch will be provided

For information, visit www.stmarysutah.org, call 801-898-3821 or email miutah.stmary@gmail.com.