Between the 12th and 16th October, a group of Augustinian friars gathered for a few days of retreat at Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan in Santa Venera. These days offered a wonderful opportunity for the friars to step away from the routine of daily life and experience moments of greater silence, prayer, reflection, and sharing. The friars were accompanied by Fr Kevin Schembri, who led two moments of reflection each day.
The reflections offered a spiritual journey that began with recognising the presence of God, who has loved us and called us to follow Him. The retreat facilitator encouraged the friars not only to appreciate the beautiful story of all that God has done in each of their lives, but also to reflect on human frailty, which often weakens our commitment and self-giving. In the face of this reality, God’s powerful mercy offers a response, together with the challenge for each friar to renew his commitment to respond with greater faithfulness to God’s love and mercy.
These days also provided a wonderful opportunity for religious from different communities to come together and share the beauty of Augustinian religious life, beyond their daily ministries and the many activities that normally fill their days.
