Advent of Hope, Peace, Joy, Love
Updated: Nov 29, 2022
Follow the Way of Mary and Her family towards Christ the King
An 8-Day Self-Directed Retreat
As the people of Israel waited for generations for the promise of the Messiah, we share in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming by recalling the mysteries in the Gospels of Son of God becoming man for us. For Advent is a time of preparation, of waiting, of longing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and a time of renewing our desire for Christ’s second coming. (CCC #524)
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary
Preparing for Your Self-Directed Retreat
Put aside a personal prayer time in the morning and the evening. The morning for the prayer reading and contemplation on these mysteries. In the Evening, in your reflection time review the morning’s mystery and the day's graces taking them into an Examen.
Ignatian Prayer of Preparation
The Desired Graces for the Retreat
For the Retreat we ask for the graces to strengthen our hope, increase our faith, expand our joy, and deepen our love as we come to experience the peace given within these mysteries.
You may have additional special graces you are desiring. Share them with the Lord.
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The Plan for Each Day
A. Beginning your prayer time: At the beginning each prayer period, offering yourself to the Lord. Prayer of “Take and Receive”
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding, and my entire will,
all that I have and possess.
Thou hast given all to me.
To Thee, O Lord, I return it.
All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will.
Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.
Amen
Or consider writing your own offering of yourself, your thoughts , desires and actions ( your head, heart and hands).
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B. Read slowly the mystery and pray attentively using all of your faculties - faith and feelings - your interior senses, imagination, recall – as you pray with each section. What do you sense were the experiences of Zachariah, Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, shepherds and the Magi of this news. Imagine being present there - what do you see, hear, smell? Where are you in the scene?
C. Close your prayer time with your own words ( a colloquy) then a vocal formal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary or Glory Be
D. At the end of each prayer period, note down your experiences on what were your insights, feelings, thoughts, images and memories that came up for you. Savor the graces.
E. In the Evening review the day’s events with an Examen and reflect on the graces of the morning’s prayer time affected your day. Savor the graces. Close this time with your own words.
The Mysteries
The gospels were written as an account of time past so we may know the truth.
Day One: Luke 1:5-25 The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
Moving from Doubt to Desire
Day Two: Luke 1:26-36 The Birth of Jesus Foretold - Annunciation
Moving from Fear to Humility
Day Three: Luke 1:39-55 Mary Visits Elizabeth, Mary’s Song of Praise – Magnificat
Moving from Gratitude to Praise
Day Four: Matt 1:18-25 Joseph's Visited by the Angel
Discernment to Obedience
Day Five: Luke 1:57-66 Birth of John the Baptist
Wondering
Day Six: Luke 1: 67-80 Zechariah's Prophecy
Proclaiming
Day Seven: Luke 2: 1-7 The Birth of Jesus
The Light of World in Peace
Luke 2: 8-20 Announcement to the Shepherds
Glory to God in the highest - Spreading the Good News
Day Eight: Matt 2: 1-12 Magi Visits the Messiah
Bringing Our Gifts