“Press on in the Race”
Oakland, IL
May 22-25, 2006

 

Students' comments about the retreat:

 

“This retreat was wonderful. I think each of us came with a different intent and expectation on our heart, and we each received a different gift/fruit in return, either the one we sought or the one we needed.”

 

 

“From the moment we arrived at the retreat house set in the serene countryside of central Illinois the Lord blessed us with absolutely gorgeous weather.  Sunny and pleasantly warm with a cool breeze almost every day!  Thanks to the weather and setting, our afternoon of silence on Wednesday was not so much of a “desert” but more of a lush oasis, a time to bask in the glory of Lord and His creation.“ 

 

 

“The retreat with the sisters in Illinois was a desperately needed rest after a year of thesis writing, deadlines, and commitments.   I arrived stressed and left peaceful and joyous… A week later as I write this, I am still on such a spiritual high from those four days.  The sisters' retreat set me on fire, appeasing my spiritual hunger for closeness to God and peace of heart and mind.”

 

Getting ready for morning prayer.

 

“I think, thanks to the sister's hard work and effort, that it was a good opportunity for the students to pray, play, and bond together without any responsibility of running the retreat…  It gave us a chance to also witness who we are and how we live and integrate God into our daily lives.”

 

Sr. Raffaella sweeps away the cobwebs while Sr. Michela
vacuums the deck in preparation for the students’ arrival.

 

“I heard multiple times from the students, myself included, that they greatly enjoyed being in your [the Apostles’] presence and just feeling completely embraced with joy and peace. As one of them said, ‘Your joy is contagious.’ “

 

 

“I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to share this experience with each of you. This weekend was perfect to witness your joy, charism, and faith. I also came to find some peace and greater intimacy with the Lord.”

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

“…this retreat offered me rest, an opportunity to place myself before the Lord, to offer up my burdens, a chance to try to remove the barrier I have created between He and I, and to grow closer to Him. Looking back on the retreat, I now see how God is calling me back to Him.  As the rope game taught me, I need to rely completely on Him. I need to ask for help. I need to ask for my deepest desires. It's okay to.”

 

 

“Finals week was extremely challenging and death to the body!  The Apostles of the Interior life and Illinois were a perfect combo to replenish every soul!  I was humbled being blindfolded, frozen in well water, and surrounded by the most Christ driven individuals God could ever send my way!  Peace be with all of you and Viva La Apostles!  Hip Hip Hooray!”

 

The boys reenacting their ice-cold water pump showers.

 

“The retreat was absolutely amazing! It was wonderful preparation for the summer.  I learned a lot from the sisters on and off the soccer field ;) I feel very blest to have had the opportunity to increase my faith with all of my new friends! Thank you sisters for all that you have done!”

 

 

“I thought back from time to time today and I just saw your smiling faces and remembered the peace we shared adoring together, celebrating mass together, sharing together, that peace we find in Christ...”

 

 

“What a blessing also to be around other students who are in love and on fire for Jesus!   And what fun people!  Truly, this is what heaven must be like – joyous people completely in love with God and sharing that love and joy with others.”

 

Shadow puppets...but with no shadows...details:
do they really matter?

 

“It was a wonderful experience to draw near to the Lord’s throne together during daily Eucharistic adoration, Mass and personal prayer time…”

                                                                                                                                                                                          

 

“… and then to play together making s’mores over the kitchen stove…”

                                                                                                                                                                               

 

“… watching a movie, climbing a tree… “

 

 

“…or wandering through a rope maze with T-shirts tied over our faces to blind us as we learned the importance of asking for help when we cannot see clearly the way.”

                                                                                                                                                                   

 

“[You sisters] emulate all that Christ is and teach us through your daily life and actions that attaining holiness (while having a whole lot of fun!) is possible here on earth.   Thank you with all my heart.”

 

 

“I was so blessed by the retreat, and especially by the presence and guidance of the sisters, whom I have looked up to ever since I met. I especially appreciated the practical advice for living that we received from Sister Tiziana and from the Monsignor. I'll miss the Sisters so much; especially Loredana, whom I got to know through Spiritual Direction, and who helped me so much on the road to sanctification; also sister Susan and Father Brian, who I got to ride with to the retreat--4 years ago, I would never have dreamed that I'd be in a car with a nun and a priest, fellowshipping as brothers and sister in the Lord.”

 

 

“Society always quips that actions speak louder than words, but this past week, at a retreat hosted by the Apostles of the Interior Life, a group of students from various Universities through the Midwest received an opportunity to partake in the amazing transformations inspired by witnessing unadulterated holiness. Beyond the edifying discussions led by the Sisters, we, as young students in the process of discerning God's calling for our lives, witnessed the joy, laughter, and peace that accompanies a life filled with love. The Apostles of the Interior Life exemplify the lives of modern-day saints and teachers - with wisdom, patience, love, and just a touch of mischief.”

 

 

“I just wanted to say that the retreat was an amazing experience.  It is something that I come to realize more and more everyday, when obstacles are put in front of me and I now know how to trust in the Lord and continue to be happy.  The sisters are amazing women and since I have been back to Des Moines I have already found someone that knows them.  Talk about miss popular!  I wish I could live with them and their peacefulness and happiness all the time.  I am truly grateful for the experience and the knowledge I gained from these women.  I look forward to using what I have learned to bring others to the faith and also to learn more from the sisters next fall.”

 

 

“This retreat rekindled a fire within me to ‘love first, love everybody, love right away, with joy and always.’  Thank you so much to the Apostles for making this week possible!”

 

 

“I think my feelings about the retreat can best be summed up as, ‘Whoa!  That was good.’ “