Testimonies: Women’s Spiritual Exercises

“The Women’s Section of Regnum Christi Maritimes held their annual open retreat this past weekend, November 15 -18, 2018. Our Lady of Hope Retreat Centre near Stanley Bridge, PEI provided a peaceful setting for our spiritual exercises allowing us to host 37 women from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI; 18 of whom are Regnum Christi members. Fr. Todd Arsenault, LC preached a well-thought out and Holy Spirit inspired retreat using Pope Francis’s Apostolic Exhortation Gaudate et Exultate (Rejoice and Be Glad), Scripture and the lives of the Saints.

Each meditation allowed us to explore the theme of the retreat: Personal Holiness, a Universal Call – Leaven in Society. Conferences on the Program of Life, Life of Grace (for our non-Regnum Christi sisters) and Regnum Christi further engaged us in making concrete resolutions to take home with us. The chapel lent itself to intimate time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament throughout each day, and in particular during our nightly Holy Hours. Renewing our Baptismal Promises and our Regnum Christi promises at the final Mass reinforced our apostolic mission as we were sent forth from the retreat.”

– Deb D.

“Being able to attend Ignatian spiritual exercises is always a huge blessing- the silence gives us the space to turn our attention to hear the voice of God more clearly in our lives. With Fr Todd guiding the retreat, over four days we dove into our personal call to holiness from Christ. These reflections, encouragement to be brutallly honest with self and with God, the stories of Bl Georgio Frassati and St Therese, the program of life and renewing my mission through Regnum Christi gave me much direction and consolation as a recent nursing graduate. And how neat is it to encounter God in such a profound way in my home province with many women who have prayed and supported me much of my life? I will always be grateful for their selfless witnesses. I returned home with a full heart, prayed out (kidding) and fresh sense of purpose.”

– Bernadette C. Living in Prince Edward Island, Bernadette is a recent UPEI grad and registered nurse in her local ER. A past RCMC missionary, Bernadette enjoys being outside and showing off “her island” to friends brave enough to make the leap from the mainland. Being inspired through grace and her parents, she became an RC member at 18 years old. Bernadette hopes to build community & fellowship wherever she goes and someday make it to her namesake in France.