Please watch the following video. When it is complete, please follow the instructions below the video and then continue on down the webpage to the next video.
Materials you will need to complete this retreat virtually include – a pen, some paper to write on – if you keep a journal, this would be the perfect place to write, a rosary.
Please watch the following video in its entirety and pray along with Bishop Barron as he prays the rosary. You may find it helpful to hold onto a rosary during this time and keep track on the beads. When it is complete, please follow the instructions below the video and then continue on down the webpage to the next video.
Journal Time:
Using the paper and pen that you have or your personal journal, spend some time writing your reflections to the following questions.
- How did you feel before praying the rosary? Try to be as specific as possible. What was on your mind? What was bothering you?
- How did you feel after praying the rosary? Try to look a back on your answers from question 1, see if you can note how you changed.
- Yes or no – do you find the feeling of that change by praying helpful? Why or why not? How could you imagine going to this type of prayer in the future to help you during times of stress or anxiety?
When finished with your written journal, please move onto the next section of this webpage.
Please watch the following video. When it is complete, please follow the instructions below the video and then continue on down the webpage to the next video.
Journal Time:
Using the paper and pen that you have or your personal journal, spend some time writing your reflections to the following questions.
- Make a list of the ways that you know how to pray or have tried praying.
- Now next to each way of praying, write a few sentences on how you think that prayer works for you and why? For example you might say “Rosary – It’s hard for me to stay focused that long and I don’t get as much from it as I would like. I would like to know why people enjoy it so much. Maybe if I tried it more often?”
- After you have made your list of “ways to pray” and reflected on how each way works for you, spend some time reflecting and writing down your thoughts on prayer overall. Do you feel you understand prayer? Do you regularly pray? What do you wish was different when you pray? Or other thoughts you might have about the subject.
When finished with your written journal, please move onto the next section of this webpage.
Please watch the following video. When it is complete, please follow the instructions below the video and then continue on down the webpage to the next video.
Break Time — It’s important to take breaks, even during retreats and time of prayer. You and your parents can be the best judge of this. Do you need 10 minutes to refresh? In most cases try to come back as soon as you can so that the spirit of the retreat is kept.
When you return, continue following the instructions and continue watching the videos included on the webpage below.
Please watch the following video. When it is complete, please follow the instructions below the video and then continue on down the webpage to the next video.
Exercise: After watching the last video, try to do an exercise of extreme quiet and emptying yourself from thoughts. Try this for 10 minutes using the instructions below:
Exercise in quieting the self:
- Try to go 30 seconds without thinking about anything?
- If something comes up, say “thank you for coming up” and let go.
- Start over.
- If you actually make it for 30 seconds, then try for a minute or 2 minutes.
- At anytime if you can’t do the exercise… try the prayer Fr. Jim suggested… “God, I’m distracted but I’m still here with you.”
After 10 minutes, move onto the next section of this webpage.
Please watch the following video. When it is complete, please follow the instructions below the video and then continue on down the webpage to the next video.
We’re going to do another exercise in another form of prayer called “Imaginative Prayer.” This will be done in two parts. First, watch the video below from Catholic Central and then click on the button below the video to listen to a guided meditation on Imaginative Prayer.
When you have completed the Imaginative Prayer Exercise, continue with the instructions below on this website.
Please watch the following video. When it is complete, please follow the instructions below the video and then continue on down the webpage to the next video.
We’re going to do another exercise in another form of prayer called “Lectio Divina.” This will be done in two parts. First, watch the video below from Catholic Central and then click on the button below the video to listen to a guided meditation on Lectio Divina.
Journal Time:
Using the paper and pen that you have or your personal journal, spend some time writing your reflections to the following questions.
- What did you learn today about prayer that you didn’t know before?
- Name some 3-4 times and places that you can try to pray using one of the ways we discussed today
- Take this time to write a letter to God and describe all the things that you want God to know about you and what you are facing. Include things that you are thankful for, things that worry you, things that you are feeling. Journaling can be a form of prayer as well, use this as a time to listen to God as you write to God.
When finished with your written journal, you have completed this Confirmation Retreat. Please verify its completion by filling out the form below and hitting “Submit”