Ember Day provides unique space for young men of faith
By Josh Low
Stepping out of everyday life, being challenged and inspired in faith was behind an intimate young men’s ‘Ember Day’ retreat at Notre Dame Priory in Colebrook.
Held by the Office of Youth Evangelisation, the one-day retreat was held on Saturday 30 November, allowing participants a space for prayer, reflection and to experience the Benedictine way of life.
Commencing with morning Mass celebrated Fr Bede Cannavo OSB, participants followed the monks in praying the Liturgy of the Hours over the course of the day, and assisted them with their daily tasks.
Office of Youth Evangelisation Director, Sam Clear, said the idea of the retreat was to give young people an opportunity to learn from the various religious orders and communities around Australia.
“It’s very relaxed and is an opportunity to learn from, be inspired, and be challenged by the Benedictines,” he said.
“Fr Bede’s talk, though informal, was very informative, learning about where certain practices come from or why we do things in a particular way in the Church.
“We were also challenged and inspired in faith to ask ourselves important questions – What in my life do I need to let go of? What does it mean to love more, to forgive more? Is work dominating my life, am I not giving priority to prayer? Am I so focused on trying to be holy that I actually forget my neighbour, which ends up in me stepping away from holiness in and of itself?
“It is a bit poetic to begin our Ember Day retreats with the Benedictines, considering they are the first and oldest religious order in the history of the Catholic Church.
“By the time we get to the end of next year, the hope is we’ll be having an immersion day with our more ‘modern’ orders and seeing that progression through the ages of prayer and work.
Spaces are limited at the retreats in order to cultivate a more intimate experience among participants.
“We hope our young adults can learn from the various charisms and way of life and prayer in order to help them in their own discernment in life, and their own relationship with Christ,” Sam explained.
“It’s simply an invitation for people to, both have a unique experience and a retreat.”
Retreat participant Daniel Yuen said the retreat was a “positive experience of the daily life of a Benedictine monk.”
“I learned about their very structured life, sanctified with work and prayer centred on God. Also, about the balance between work, prayer, and rest.
“The retreat made me think more about how I can focus on God, keeping Him at the centre of everything, even while working or doing something,” he said.