Reflection with the monks...

Last week myself and our 2 interns travelled to Rostrevor for an overnight retreat with the Benedictine Monks in Holy Cross Monastery. The purpose of this retreat was us to reflect back on the year that has passed and acknowledge all that we have learnt through this experience. I had heard much about this place from friends but had never been myself and did not really know what to expect! It was a fascinating experience and very beneficial. Silence plays a major role for the Benedictines but as Brother Thierry informed us it is always for the purpose of listening to God. Silence simply for the sake of silence is not healthy.

In silence the Benedictines believe we expose ourselves to 3 truths:

1. The truth about who God is.
2. The truth about others.
3. The truth about ourselves.

The reason we constantly avoid silence in our daily lives and indeed often find it uncomfortable is because we fear these 3 truths in our lives.
It was 24 hours in arguably one of the most beautiful (as you can see from the pictures) and peaceful places in N. Ireland. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants to make some space to listen to God.