Observations of a Retreatant

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 9, 11 March 1925, Page 13

Observations of a Retreatant

“Far from the madding crowd,” the attractions and distractions of human life, there only can we pause to meditate upon the emptiness of life and the fullness of Christ’s love —then only can we think on the wondrous mercy of God and realise the bitterness of the dregs of life’s fleeting pleasures. “Come unto Ale,” said Our Blessed Lord, “all ye that labor and are burdened and I will refresh you.” With these words in mind the men of Wanganui set out determinedly to hold a Retreat. It seemed rather a precarious move, for apparently no other parish, with the exception of those which possessed the necessary facilities, had yet embarked upon so excellent a scheme. Nevertheless an energetic committee was formed whose motto was “Work not talk.” The parish priest, and chairman of the committee, Rev. Father Mahony, readily offered

(Contributed.)

the use of two parish buildings—St. Joseph’s Hall and the Villa Maria. As for other necessities there were none. But little daunted the committee immediately set about raising funds and started to manufacture its own material. Fortunately a few carpenters were among the committee’s ranks and the remainder made excellent apprentices. The main committee divided itself into sub-com-mittees and the work began. Night after night sounds of industry proceeded from St. Joseph’s Hall. The neighborhood echoed to the sounds of hammers, and the cheery voices of men who labored in a labor of love. Inside the building all was noise but not confusion. Here a group wielded scissors and canvas, another sawed battens, while another party seized upon the cut and sawed articles and tacked and hammered vigorously till after a fortnight of hard work, lo!

the hall became a large dormitory with 40 cubicles neatly curtained off, and 40 beds

made on the premises. Then, after placing a chair and table in each cubicle, the carpentering committee swept up its shavings and departed, conscious of good work well done.

In the meantime the "Villa" was the scene of great activity. The best room was secured by the chapel committee who descended thereon with hangings and drapings. After a week of tacking and carrying, the chapel with altar and sacristy complete, stood ready for the presence of the King of Kings.

In other rooms desks were being shifted to make room for tables and chairs, and in no time the dining room was prepared, and the lounge room, with books and papers scattered about, was ready for occupation. What if backs ached or arms were tired P When God is pleased then aches are naught.

On the day prior to the opening two wellknown ladies of the parish, whose ability needs no testimonial, took possession of the Villa kitchen and labored unceasingly to provide for a large family of retreatants. Surely God will reward a hundredfold the generosity of these two women whose presence, whether at Retreat or social, is indispensable.

Soon everything was ready, and on Friday night came the retreatants, bearing along with their bedclothes the best of intentions. Forty men, from eighteen to eighty they cameall with the same desire to spend seme little time alone with God.

It is not necessary to dwell on the different exercises of the Retreat for these have

Jt been enumerated so often, but sufficient it is to say that he who would be alone with

God needed only to mount the tower of the

"Villa," where, in the early morning,

through a veil of pink mist, the sign of God's great handiwork appeared, and to the music

of a thousand birds in the tall pines the earth was bathed in a flood of golden light. And at dusk, when God compassionates a foolish, wicked world, he could look upon the sleeping town shrouded in clouds of silver river mist, and realise that life is but a 'day and the future a night shrouded in a mist of doubt.

Ah! those golden hours of peace sublime, those moments fraught with the pure love of God! Would that we blind mortals could cease to barter that love for the cup of pleasure which when drained leaves naught but dregs of exceeding bitterness.

We should therefore seize with eagerness upon an opportunity of attending a Retreat, for there in truth can one say, "My God and my All."