Journey with the Blessed Mother to deepen personal prayer life

Intermountain Catholic

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WEST HAVEN — The Militia of the Immaculata Villages will host “A Lenten Journey with Mary: Two Days of Reflection during the Holy Season of Lent” Friday-Saturday, March 8-9 at St. Mary Catholic Church in West Haven.

Father Alan Benander, O. Praem. from St. Michael’s Norbertine Abbey in the Diocese of Orange, Calif., will be a part of this year’s retreat. He led the day of reflection at last year’s retreat and was very well received, Donna Masek, an Immaculata Villages volunteer said, so the group invited him to return.

The retreat will focus on Our Blessed Mother and her role in our redemption through suffering with Christ, Fr. Benander said.

“We as members of the Body of Christ can also share in that role,” he said.

On Friday, those planning to attend the retreat are invited to participate in the parish’s Lenten prayer services beginning with the Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, followed by Mass and Stations of the Cross. The parish will then host a free potluck dinner and a showing of a movie about the life of St. Paul. Then retreat participants will pray The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On Saturday, March 9, the day of reflection will begin with Liturgy of the Hour, followed by talks by Fr. Benander on Our Lady and the Christian meaning of human suffering to further develop the Marian Lenten theme, Masek said. Participants will recite the Angelus at noon prior to lunch.

In the afternoon, participants will hear from Deacon Howard Schuyler, who will present a historical perspective of the rosary, including what the popes have said about it. He will also discuss some of its mysteries.

Fr. Benander will then give a final talk.

“This is a good opportunity to take a day of recollection and prepare for the holy season of Lent,” Fr. Benander said.

This year the talks will be given in the church sanctuary so participants can have a more prayerful experience. Between the talks, parish musicians will perform quiet meditative music, Masek said.

The number of participants in the retreat varies from 10 to 50, so it allows for an intimate spiritual experience, she said.

 “We invite those who would like to deepen their own personal prayer life and their walk with our Lord and Our Lady to come,” Masek said. “Our Lady teaches us how to carry our crosses in life for the love of God.”

Those who are unable to attend the retreat can still be part of the experience by filling out an online form listing their prayer intentions at http://www.stmarysutah.org/Immaculata/2019RegFormAndPrayerRequest. Those intentions will be gathered and retreat participants will pray for them throughout the weekend.

“We’re hoping that way the retreat can be open to everybody,” Masek said.

The Militia of the Immaculata would also like to invite members of other Third Orders to participate in the retreat and to bring materials to share for the group’s Third Order table, Masek said.

WHAT: Marian Lenten retreat

WHEN: Friday-Saturday, March 8–9

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

To pre-register, visit www.stmarysutah.org or call 801-898-3821. Pre-registration requested, but walk-in registration will be available Saturday, March 9 at 8:30 a.m. $15 donation to cover light meals and materials.