I have gone on lots of retreats in my time as a seminarian but all of them were: A. Very structured and B. Done with a whole lot of other people. There were talks throughout the day (from a retreat master) and, usually, a good deal of socializing.
This retreat was very different. I stayed in a hermitage at the monastery of the Franciscan Sisters T.O.R., who are a fantastic order. It was a little un-air-conditioned cabin way off on the edge of the sisters' property - rustic, simple, and pretty quiet.
However, the best part of my time there was spent in the sisters' chapel.
It's a wonderful place to pray and pray I did. I'm not bragging. It was just a great opportunity to spend lots of time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, time that I don't always have (or utilize) in day to day parish life.
This taught me two things:
1. I needed it. It's only when you stay close to the Source that you can "share Him" with the people to whom you minister. So, it is important to take some extra time out of your normal routine to intentionally recharge.
2. Spending this time inspires me to look for more time in my normal life to spend in longer, unstructured prayer.
Now, don't think I never thought of these things. It just that I think we need reminded of simple things like this every once in a while. That's why you go stay in the woods for a few days.
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