More From Saint Norbert's Abbey

The rooms at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality are simple. They contain a small desk, a crucifix hanging on the wall, a closet, sink, and twin bed. Most of the beds are covered with colorful quilts. I brought the candle, a present from a friend, with me.

This window is in the church, of course, and is at least 14 feet high. I don't like the "modern" depictions as well as the old style, but I certainly do LOVE stained glass. I should be a Lutheran. ;-)

Interestingly (some might say oddly) the Assemblies of God district to which I belong is one of the most frequent users of the abbey's retreat center. This began nearly 20 years ago when "Pastor Pete" brought his congregation. Pete and his wife, Doris, were Roman Catholics who came to the Assemblies of God during the heyday of the "Catholic charismatic renewal." They had already been going for week-long silent retreat at Jesuit houses for many years. When Pete later was ordained an AG minister, it was a natural for him to combine the best of two widely differing traditions. They began to do retreats for the clergy of the district, then a yearly women's retreat and men's retreat. Other's did additional retreats for the churches. Now Pastor Pete is semi-retired, but he and Doris still visit the Jesuit Retreat Center in Oshkosh once a year. And we hope he continues to lead the one retreat he still does--the one for us clergy.

Sister Cala remarked (tongue in cheek--or maybe not) to my last post that she didn't know AG folks could be silent for that long! We aren't known for our silence, that is for sure. But those of us who have attended a few of these retreats make sure it goes on our calendar. Yes, Rita, the silence is to aid contemplation and--just plain ol' stillness. We also are encouraged to walk slowly and to avoid eye contact so as to be on our own "private" retreat with God. How often in our present world do we actually have silence? I consider the retreat a gift, whether or not anything profound happens to me. Sometimes it does, and sometimes not. Oh, the sheep reference is because I am a pastor a.ka. shepherd, with a flock. I also have a sheep collection, of sorts.

There is a labyrinth there which is modeled after the one at Chartres (see link) but is a "natural" one that is mowed into the grass of a large field. This is also something considered too "new agey" for most AG minister's comfort levels. But over the years, Pete tells us, there have been more profound breakthroughs occurring in the labyrinth than any other spot at the center. Last week I passed it as I walked outside and out of the corner of my eye noted one of my fellow pastors lying prone in the center. Later, as I passed by on the return walk, I noticed he was still there and momentarily wondered if I should check to see if he was all right. Just then he rose. Later, at a sharing time, he told us an incredibly moving story of a deep inner healing. Perhaps God appreciated his willingness to try something different?

Here is a prayer I found moving and helpful for this retreat. If you are questioning some things, perhaps it will bless you too.

My God,

I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will , does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believer the the desire to please You does, in fact, please You. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this, You will lead me by the right road, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me and will never leave me to face my perils alone. Thomas Merton

Sometimes we don't see any of the abbey's residents, but this time two elderly Norbertines passed me in a hallway one morning. Apparently not realizing I could hear them, one said as they passed, "I see that Assembly clergy are here for a retreat." The other replied, "Yes. Isn't that surprising? But I think it is wonderful."

Me too.