It was 5:43 am on Saturday morning, the new light of day was beginning to fill more of the sky, I was out on the grounds in the quiet of the morning. As I moved a few tables into place and posted a few signs, my heart sang, “Bless the Lord my soul.” The day would soon become busy and loud but in these few moments of quiet, alone in creation, my contemplative heart was filled with hope as I moved into action. A few hours later I was greeting hundreds of people and sharing in a festival day to launch the 75th Anniversary of Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre.
In my opening greeting to launch the day, I quoted Psalm 118, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!” This verse echoed through both days of activities and events. As the final guests left on Sunday afternoon this sense of rejoicing and gladness lingered for a community of neighbours, the faithful, retreatants, and the curious had gathered to celebrate sacred space. To celebrate sacred space over the two days of the 75th Anniversary celebrations meant retreatants connecting, community organizations being supported, music filling the tent and lofting out into the hills, a mix match of people gathering at picnic tables to enjoy food, the sound of laughter filling the air, quiet moments of prayer holding us, and the trails being walked together. Rejoicing and gladness were indeed how sacred space was celebrated.
It was 6:15 am on Sunday morning, the cool air of an August morning surrounded me as I made my way out to the tent to prepare for the Anniversary Mass. I reflected on the day before as this same space was filled with music of all styles, with children running and elders sharing stories. I thought of the Friars of long ago and wondered if the hopes and promises they carried as they began The Mount had considered this far into the future. I was overcome with joy and peace as again, “Bless the Lord my soul” sang in my heart. A few hours later I was once again greeting hundreds of guests as they joined us for Mass with Bishop McGrattan.
Michael Vos, Trustee for the Franciscans at The Mount, in his welcome at Mass said, “Like the Friars in 1949, we carry hopes and promises with us. Like every retreatant who steps foot onto this sacred space, we trust our God is meeting us in our journey and filling us with hope, peace and healing, as we pray together and for each other.”
The six hundred plus people who gathered for the Eucharist did indeed pray for each other, as we sang together and came to the table of the Lord together with our hopes and promises and prayers. I recalled how every retreat offered at The Mount is a invitation for renewal, for peace, healing and prayer. As our diocese enters deeper into the renewal journey, I couldn’t help but take note of this moment of all of us gathered. It was a renewal moment for The Mount and all those who make time to come on retreat as we step foot into the next 75 years of retreat ministry. We trust God is guiding us, we remember those who built this sanctuary and we invite everyone to find their way down the grid to 41160 Retreat Road as a place to be renewed and to celebrate sacred space.
Mount St. Francis celebrated 75 years on August 10 and 11, 2024.
- This reflection originally appeared in Diocese of Calgary Faithfully Edition for August 19, 2024.
