In a week in Agello, inArchdiocese of Perugia-Città della Pievepicturesque place among the green and gentle Umbrian hills that thin out towards Lake Trasimeno, will be hosted, from 8 July to 4 September, spiritual retreats lasting a weekend called, in fact, Summer spiritual weekends.
Promoter and venue of the retreats is the Tabor House of Prayer of the Community Magnificatorganized in collaboration with the Diocesan Pastoral Formation Center and led by its director Don Luca Bartoccini, theologian and canon of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.
Alternative vacation
“In the summer we talk more and more often about alternative holidays -comments Don Bartoccini- ei Spiritual weekends they really are both for those who are in search of God and for those who want to regenerate themselves in the faith, especially after two years of pandemic that have also greatly limited religious practice in presence. There is a need to return to the spiritual communion which is the foundation of our faith, because, as the Gospel of Matthew teaches us, Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Mt 18,20).
Community prayer – continues the Perugian theologian – is undoubtedly more listened to by God and it is necessary to practice it in this very difficult period that we are going through, not only for the pandemic, but also for the war in Ukraine. Violence and contempt for human life that we never thought we would see again in Europe, upsetting our existence and questioning us not a little even on a spiritual level ”.
The topics discussed
THE Summer spiritual weekends they also set up moments of listening to the Word of God with meditation and prayer that help to give meaning to one’s life and answers to the many questions that arise in the person when he is living in difficult situations. This is supported by the themes treated each weekend by Fr Luca Bartoccini.
“Telling about love. How Far Does God’s Mercy Go? (July 8-10). It is a question – explains the director of the Diocesan Pastoral Formation Center of Perugia – of a journey of prayer and listening to the school of the Gospel, retracing the gestures and words of Jesus to recount the merciful face of the Father and try to understand how far he goes. God’s mercy for each of us.
Following Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus. Fragile like everyone, happy like few (July 29-31). It is a true path of inner healing at the school of Saint Teresa – Don Bartoccini specifies – to learn that our weakness is our strength. Following his path we will discover that our limits and our frailties are not an impediment to please God and that only abandonment in his hands gives us true joy ”.
Calendar of Summer spiritual weekends
Also following the increasing requests for participation from different regions of Italy (reservations are required by contacting Rita Sateriale Orsini at 342.9318383), the organizers of the weekends intended to propose them to interested parties in the autumn period, on the weekend of 30 September- 2 October and 18-20 November. While in summer they are held in four periods: from 8 to 10 July, from 29 to 31 July, from 19 to 21 August and from 2 to 4 September.
The retreats, open to all, are characterized by a fraternal and relaxed atmosphere with ample space also for personal prayer, celebrations, adoration and sharing. For participation, continuous attendance is required from early afternoon on Friday (possibility of arriving for lunch) to lunchtime on Sunday.
Summer spiritual weekends: an alternative holiday in search of God – LaVoce