Creativity, fellowship, and discernment...
A powerful weekend retreat experience.
Just about two months ago, I attended a weekend retreat for Catholic artists and writers organized by the NYC-based group Arthouse2B.
The theme of the retreat was “Behold the Beautiful Body of Christ.” We stayed at a former seminary on Long Island that now operates as a retreat house. Beautiful art and architecture provided the perfect setting for a restful weekend of faith, creativity, and fellowship.
We had Mass every day and opportunities for confession. There was Eucharistic Adoration and generous leisure time. The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the Sisters of Life accompanied us. Clergy, religious, and artists gave inspirational talks and testimonials.
This was my first overnight retreat experience and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I was hoping to make progress in progress in spiritual discernment. As the retreat date approached I began to reflect seriously on what “success” means for me as a professional writer. The answers I arrived at surprised me.
I was also aware that a subtle spiritual shift had been taking place in my heart over the previous year. The election of Pope Leo XIV deeply affected me. Leo is both the first American pontiff and a member of the Order of Saint Augustine—a religious community whose charism I deeply admired. I felt a deep connection to Leo and to the Augustinians. Over a year later, I’m still processing exactly what this means for me.
The retreat itself was a wonderfully enriching experience and one of the highlights my year so far. On the professional front, I distributed business cards and got to introduce potential new readers to The Riddle of the Tongue-Stones. I was encouraged by the enthusiasm with which my book was received by my fellow retreatants.
But, of course, this event was more than just an opportunity for networking. There was genuine camaraderie! I made many new friends at mealtimes. The conversations around the table were enlivening and joyful. There was a sense of true spiritual communion. In Arthouse2B I discovered a group of like-minded Catholic creatives who share my values. I hope to become more involved in their mission in the future.
The retreat ended with an open-mic event where the Spirit moved me to recite some of my original poetry. My poem “Deliverance” received an enthusiastic round of applause from the community, which was such a consolation and the perfect way to cap off the weekend.
I came away from the retreat renewed and refreshed. My experience is perhaps best summed up in the testimony I provided for the Arthouse2B email newsletter:
The fellowship and spiritual support I encountered on this retreat will stay with me for a long time. I feel more certain than ever that God is calling me to use my artistic talents to share beauty and truth with the world, especially in my capacity as a writer. Thanks to the grace and consolations experienced during this remarkable weekend, I can go forward confidently in my journey as a Catholic writer and artist.
Thanks to this grace-filled moment, I’ve discerned that I’m being called to use my writing talents to create more nonfiction books for kids and teens. I will also continue to pursue professional opportunities in informal education and public history. My mission is clearer than ever before.
At the same time, I still have many questions. What is the meaning of my spiritual restlessness? Am I perhaps being called to a vocation in religious life? Luckily, I am not discerning alone. The support of my family, the prayers of my friends, and the advice of wise spiritual mentors will ensure that I will not go astray. I only need to trust in God’s mercy and goodness, which I certainly felt in a powerful way during the retreat.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, now and forever!
The retreat sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I am so happy for you that it went well!