The Diocese of Plymouth Youth Events recently organised a young adults retreat at Sclerder Abbey. These events are aimed at people aged 18-30s and give participants an opportunity to slow down, a chance to explore their faith, deepen their relationship with God and build relationships with others from across the Diocese. The following is feedback from one of the participants:
“The retreat was like a dream; once I had returned from it I felt as if no time had passed at all. But in memory I remember an abiding experience; The Abbey in it’s beauty, clothed in Cornish stone and the gardens (The Green Abbey), adorned with the Sclerder community like jewels and us, for a time, to share in the community. We attended Mass and wondered at the singing, shared their meals with each other in joy and piety. Our merrymaking flowed from this; above all our shared experience reminded me very much of the importance and Godliness to be found in humour and playfulness. Father Jude gave us much wisdom in his talks on Genesis 2:15, on which we focused during the retreat, his testimony about his own vocation will stay with me forever. He graciously allowed me to serve during Mass, in which I believe I found a part of my calling.
In truth every one of us found something unexpected at the Abbey, and I think everyone has made at least a few lifelong friends, at least for my part I have. There is no doubt that Jesus was by our sides guiding us, whether it was in morning prayer with the community, during our Gardening where we planted seeds in prayer (truly enlightening, mine is named Stephen), during our art when we awakened our childish, creative spirit, in our free time which we spent down by the sea, in our synods, Adoration, Confession, Rosaries, Ignatius prayer and personal testimonies. I had no vision or big apparition or answer from God. But I still came away with answers to questions I didn’t know I had, and abundant friends. All credit goes to the organisers from the Diocese and the members of the community at the Abbey, in their guidance we could do nothing but be with Our Lord and be happy.”