The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-05-23
LAY N { MS RETREAT
RETREATANTS TESTIFY TO THE
VALUE AND EFFECT OF A
RETREAT.

The following testimonies to the
efficiency and good results of a lay
attended the exercises Many others
of similar nature could be given.
Il am simply overwhelmed with joy
and admiration after this my first re-
treat. / cannot express myself, for
think it would be impossible to voice
my feelings. I feel stronger in both
body and soul, and, as it were, a new
man in every way. Would that it fell
to every mans lot to be able to make
one of those retreats, for no one, l am
certain, could fail to reap some bene-
fit. More than ever now is my con-
tention strengthened that it is the one
great solution of present-day evils"
Il had no idea before what re-
treat was. What a different world we
should have if every man made re-
treat once a year, one seems to live
an entirely new life. / shall do all
can to encourage others to come"
Thank God, the retreat did me
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resolution before the end of those
three glorious days of happiness to
go to Confession and Holy Communion
every week, which | have carried out
ever SINCE
Il think they are of incalculable
value, and create a lasting impression
in the minds of those who are FORUM
ate enough to attend
II hope to do a little for the sue
cess of the retreat movement which
has done so much for me-
Il think it is one of the grandest
works your society has undertaken
during modern times, and only God
can tell the good that will come from
it. | feel it is a real step. in the
direction of the conversion of our
country (England) to the Faith
Il learned so many things during
that short time, and | have so many
things to be thankful for that hardly
know how to thank you, dear Father,
for making it possible for working
lads to go into retreat. I am looking
forward to coming again next year
l shall never forget it, and
place those days anon gst the happi-
est and most peaceful have ever had
may God bless you"
mot only were they the three hap
nest days I ever spent in succession,
but it has been a continual feast ever
since, and the amount of grace and
blessings that l have received are
many. 1t was the first retreat
that ever made, and l never saw I'M
til then what a lot had been done for
me by God and now little had done
in return. l never thought dare ap-
proach Holy Communion daily until
the retreat, and 1 am happy to say
that ever since l have gone every
morning"
Il pray that the movement may be
blessed, for | am sure it is one which
will be appreciated by many, who, I'M
| der the old conditions, were unable to
take part in real retreat, and who
| found little or no benefit from the
ordinary church retreat, where ones
everyday life and associations initiate
against any success"
'The time l spent with you was the
happiest time | had in my life; the
only thing | can compare the place to
| is an Earthly Heaven | will try by
my humble prayers and persuasion to
assist yen in this holy and heroic
work of helping men towards their
own sanctifcation and salvation"
| Il felt / must write to you to ex-
press the joy feel at having made a
retreat, and the many blessings and
consultations received. l must say !
never felt leaving anywhere SO keenly
when all was over"
''They are the happiest days I ever
spent, both spiritually and physically
Il congratulate you for trying to do
what, | think, is much forgotten, the
increasing of piety among the people.
He that is holy, let him be holier
STILL seems to be outside the ken OF
most, especially in large towns. We
are glad of very low down medic
Gritty. l wish we had communities to
do for boys and young men what the
Cenacle Nuns are doing for girls and
young women. All we do is to set up
a club and teach billiards and induce
our young men to go to whist, drives
and socials."
1--WE do not forget to tell the other
members of the Sodality what a glori
GUS time we had, and | am sure that
large numbers will be ready to make
the retreat next year."
Il should like to tell you how l ap
preciated the retreat and what grand
thing | think a retreat is. 1t sounds
rather a commonplace thing to say
but have looked at things in very
different way since | came back.
am quite sure that many others fee
the same. You are giving man 6
good help heavenwards.
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