From December 29
th to January 1
st a total of fifty young men (mostly High-school age) attended an Ignition retreat here at the Novitiate and College of Humanities in Cheshire. A bus load came from Georgia and Louisiana and the rest from other states. Many who came for the first time said they did not know what to expect and came simply because they had been invited.
During the retreat, those who attended had time for prayer, were given talks by Legionaries and Regnum Christi missionaries who ran the retreat, had time for sports and time with the brothers. The brothers shared meals with them and some joined them for hikes.
On the last night, during dinner, the retreat attendees were invited to give their testimonies regarding the retreat. Many made the same remark: they were really moved by the personal testimonies of the Regnum Christi missionaries. Hearing that many of the missionaries had similar backgrounds to theirs really gave them hope that they too could be Christians on fire with the faith. Many also mentioned that they were impressed with the contagious joy that radiated from the brothers and fathers and said that they would bring that joy back home.
This ignition retreat coincided with a G.P.S. retreat for college students and a Test Your Call retreat for those discerning a vocation to be a legionary priest. These retreats take place every year during the Christmas season and, whether one is discerning a vocation or not, they are great opportunities to deepen in one’s relationship with Christ and be set aflame in living the faith.
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