I feel that the importance of this retreat can not be overstated
When i began i was not sure what i would gain from it but i did not doubt that i felt called to do it so i knew that if God wanted me to do it He would make it possible.
In summary i have learned that God has an individual job/ role for each person, that they are the only person in the world who is called to this. However we have an enemy who does not want us to know what this role/ election s and to thwart our efforts to do it. Scripture tells us and Pope Frances has reminded us of many times the devil is real and not just a symbol. Padre Pio tells us that he is like a dangerous dog on a chain, stay away. We also know from the scriptures that he can masquerade himself as an angel of light. For example the retreat importantly taught me that the evil Angel can try to get us to follow a good to which God is not calling us. Herein lies our need for discernment. Whether to put on that "the end is nigh" placard or stay home and make the family dinner. We read in Ephesians that we wrestle not with flesh and blood but our battle is a spiritual battle. St Ignatius a soldier by training gives us the spiritual know how to put on the armour of God in this battle by knowing the enemies battle plan. The fourteen rules gives us the heads up on his strategies are. The examen is so damaging to these plans that the enemy will of course try to discourage its practice so is very important to spend some time daily examining the course of your day. I found having a little examen prayer card the only way i could focus my thoughts initially and was very helpful. It really was a shocker to realise how many consolations i was receiving daily without offering a word of gratitude to God. Either i appear to being blessed more as a result or i am just aware now of how truly blessed i am. This has helped me in my relationship with God, loving him in awe and wonder. Another critical lesson was becoming aware of consolation and desolation. Again the end game of the enemy is to evoke despair. Becoming aware of consolation and desolation. on those days or desolation the knowledge of consolation helps us to climb out of the pit and to learn to trust God in these trials. St Ignatius is certainly with us throughout the retreat and praying the Anima Christi salutes him and calls for his intercession. The first principle of St Ignatius is a real call to change, helping us to learn where our focus is and where it should be. This retreat certainly has done more that i could have expected it has brought me a degree of peace that i did not know could be possible. A massive thanks to Fr John, The Stack family, St Ignatius and to God the giver of all good gifts and Our heavenly mother will always leads us to her Son.
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