New-York tribune., 1902-07-07
IN A RELIGIOUS RETREAT.
THE MEANS BY WHICH WOMEN OF
LEISURE ARE SUPPOSED TO DEEPEN
THEIR SPIRITUAL LIFE.

At first sight there is something incongruous be-
tween the strenuous and often worldly life Of the
average Of leisure and the religious retreat.
vet the number of women who each year escape to
the cloister for and spiritual refreshment
rroyes that the retreat meets need that clubs and
society and even family life do not altogether
satisfy.
T-nder the name Of quiet days" retreats of day
are held in several New-York High Episcopal
churches These quiet days given at the
Church Of ST Mary the Virgin and the Church Of
the Holy Communion, TO mention only two; also at
81 John Baptist House. the mother house OF the
Sisterhood Of St John the Baptist. in East Seven
teenth-s and at the convent school Of the Sisters
Of St Mary. in East Forty-sixth-st- Devotions
begin at an early hour and continue TIL the late
afternoon broken only by a period for luncheon'
which is generally served IN the refectory OF the
convent or the clergy house.
AZ 81 Jonn Baptist House and St Mary's School
there are IN addition the quiet days. annual re-
treats at Advent and Lent. lasting three or -FOUR
davs ST. Gabriels Convent. at PeeksklI on the
Hudson. belonging TO the sisterhood Of St Mary.
IS favorite place with Newly orkers for retreats,
end here an annual retreat of four days is held in
June Lent coming too early in the year to make q
retreat in the country at that time practicable
The institution Of retreats is coeval with mo-
nasticisr but in the Anglican Church it seems TO
have originated about 1872, in which year the
Evangelist Fathers of Cowley held twenty-one re-
treats in various parts OF England. The formation
Of numerous religious communities has tended TO
Increase the scope and popularity OF the retreat as
q spiritual exercise and a means OF deepening the
religious life.
4 retreat should be a time Of perfect sohtuoe'
During it the visitors are expected TO lay asioe
ali worldly thoughts and cares and lead the me
% the community. There must be no recelVihs
or writing Of letters II books are read these must
be solely upon religious topics: companionshlp
and unnecessary talking must be summed; an
wandering thoughts Of work ani the world OF
pleasure and ambition. must be rigidly checked
For the rich woman who goes on a retreat
and poor women can seldom spare the tIne-all
,his is in sharp contrast her usual life. Instead
Of rising al II or p o'clock and spending an hour
IN the hands OF her maid before facing the duties
of the new day, she is expected 10 De up anu
dressed bv 7 o'clock and ready for an instruction
N the chanel followed by the Holy Communion
Earlv as II Is the life of the community around
her viii have begun to stir a good two hours
earlier, for the Sisters and novices have probably
TIE initial links in the long chain Of devotions
that is to encrce the day. FROM eneSe
By the time breakfast is served in the convent , nj
Tfeetory & at %be5 TT $50 forfSee bY plain meal
s5e viii rtturn to the chapel for Mathis at 8:
boT f3ta9ion wtfs fR eoefeST ar p seEt foowed BY
short instruction Dinner ard recreation VII &C.
the chapel for Homes. with an address and hour
of mediation and then ,. Eve Eyensons at D. Al
Two more services remain to complete the day.
Accompanies with an address and followed by an
hours meditation. and then, finally, Gompnne::
which IS sung at 9:Sg and is the benediction or
the day. And bed in the small, cell
ike chamber Of frivolities and luxuries, put
containing invaria bly, prie-dieu and crucinx ana
one or more pictures OF a devotional character, 10
arrest and instruct the worldly mind
Silence IS an integral factor Of the retreat This
IN itself imposes no light penance on the average
woman. At meals a book is passed in some con-
vents from TO another TO be read aloud In
turn; and the visitors warned beforehand not
TO become 50 absorbed in their food that they
not follow the reading intelligently.
Upon entering on a retreat, profession OF pur-
ts required be signed by each visitor
In which 'skneeing in the presence OF God" she
defines the ends 10 be sought and her own rela-
uon 70 God the church and the world This pro-
tesson Of purpose is very solemn and impressive
formula resolution IN writing is also expected
ron each visitor and IN this she is TO state
definite sin OF fault which she is prone-such
as seiishness q bad temper. over-indulgence in
things eat or 6rink-and register the resolution
70 conquer it ''kneeling in the presence Of Cod"
AS the purpose of the retreat is not TO teach new
truths but 10 give new vein OF life. ample pro
VISION IS made for self-examination, meditation
ard contemplation and many opportunities
orered and must be embraced for personal counsel