This year, however, there was one novel element to it. As guests at the Sacrofano Spirituality Centre, both retreat courses took place simultaneously, preached by Fr Gianni Ghiglione with a spiritual and charismatic reinterpretation of the Memoirs of the Oratory – in line with the bicentenary of the dream – and a personally guided Retreat for 12 confreres who made this choice.
The personally guided Retreat is an experience that is at the heart of the Salesian School of Spiritual Accompaniment (SSA), which will reach its seventh edition in April and has already been attended by over 160 Salesians from 7 regions. The School, which takes place in Valdocco and at Colle for 5 weeks between April and May for the English language and between August and September for the Neo-Latin languages (Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese), and which involves a week of personally retreat is, according to the participants, the most intense and qualifying experience allowing them to make the most of everything that precedes and follows it.
What is a personally guided retreat? It is a time of silence where those who undertake this type of retreat an hour to prayer 4 or 5 times a day. The Eucharist is celebrated together. Once a day each participant meets with their retreat guide who suggests some passages of Scripture and ideas for meditation, not pre-established but responding to what the individual is experiencing at that time in their history and spiritual journey. This is what is experienced during prayer on the the previous day to guide the continuation of the journey. The appointments for each day are the Eucharist, prayer times, meeting with the guide, meals in silence. The rest of the time is freely organised around this contemplative rhythm, with ample space for rest and contact with nature.
Overall, it is a simple and more direct style of prayer, but precisely for this reason one that can place the individual and their history before God, leaving the main initiative to him. The guide attempts to mirror that, grasp and give strength to what each one is experiencing in intimate dialogue with the Lord.
Being able to combine these two experiences is an additional gift that is offered. Each one has its own rhythm and path and, while respecting the freedom of each heart, there is mutual stimulation and help, experiencing the most beautiful and fruitful of our differences in fraternity of spirit: that of our souls. Saint Teresa of Avila said that the difference in our countenances is insignificant compared to the uniqueness and originality of the soul that everyone is and experiences. Journeying together, respecting the pace of each pilgrim, although aimed at the same goal, is a form of synodality that can have its own peculiar formative value which is significant and not only for the initial stages.
Thanks to Fr Gianni Ghiglione, Bro. Raymond Callo, Coordinator of the Salesian School of Spiritual Accompaniment, and Fr Jesus Maria Velasco, who have wisely accompanied us on this journey.
Fr Silvio Roggia
