LENTEN RETREAT- 2010

The long climb up the hill was part of the Retreat

As part of our Lenten Spiritual Programme our Commandery and Auxiliary joined with Brothers and Sisters of the 3rd District Commandery on the 27th of February to The Franciscan Valley of Prayer and Silence in Saltpond in the Central Region.

We all met at the church premises at dawn and by 6.00 am we were on our way. There was a welcome speech and a talk on repentance and the cardinal and venial sins and how to atone for them. We had Confession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and then we went for a walk following the way of the Cross. All 14 Stations of the Cross were completed up a ruggedly hill and even to the real life size tomb. After this we went on a steep climb depicting the way to heaven. This was an experience on how difficult the journey in life to paradise is. The joy and happiness when we reached the top was evident in the faces of the pilgrims and the view of Gods creation before us, the hills, valley, sea, horizon, landscape and forest was amazing, especially to those of us who lived in cities.

We came back down from the breathtaking view and Holy Mass was celebrated by three priests. The 3rd District Commandery and District 4 Ladies Auxiliary made a presentation of Ghc1,200 to the Conventual Franciscan friars who are in charge of the Valley.

We had light snacks and made our way back in a convoy. What a spiritual day it was.