St Luke's Retreat Centre

20/10/2024

Last chance to book by Tuesday 22nd October. Join us for Midweek lectures on the Synoptic Gospels from Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th of November 2024, daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

For educational sponsorships, please email us on [email protected]

Registration form available on https://retreatcentre.org.za/synopticgospels/

18/10/2024

Happy Feast Day of St Luke! While thinking today about St Luke, I remembered the movie "Paul Apostle of Christ" with actor Jim Caviezel. If you haven't seen it yet, it is definitely worth watching.
And while the movie is telling the story of St Paul, I always found that Jim Caviezel's performance of St Luke made him the real star of the movie.

There were three things that every time I watched it, stood out to me in the movie:
1. Romans used Christians as street lamps by setting them on fire and that is hard to watch
2. St Paul's conversion was much greater than I had known from Scripture because the movie goes into details of his persecution of Christians and what that actually meant (death for them)
3. St Luke's courage, love and loyalty. He remained with St Paul until the end when St Paul was in prison and they both knew that it was just a matter of time until St Paul would be martyred. This makes him akin to the faithful who remained with Christ underneath the cross until the end.

In Colossians 4:14, St Paul calls him "Luke the beloved physician". St John was also called the beloved and he remained with Christ under the cross until the end. In a time where life is not regarded sacred anymore and euthanasia is becoming the latest evil which countries make lawful, let us remember these two, who were called beloved. They were called beloved by the people with whom they stayed until the end. They were not afraid to see the pain and suffering of the people they were with. Because this is the true mark of love. Love is an action and to be faithful is to pay the price of "willing the good of the other" with no regard of its cost to oneself.

St Luke, the beloved physician, pray for us.

17/10/2024

Weekend Retreat 15-17 November 2024! Please share and of course book to avoid FOMO.

Father Charles Brown will be joining us from the USA to give this retreat here at St Luke's Retreat Centre in Port Elizabeth.

Resource Center & BookshopCatholic Diocese of Port ElizabethSouthern CrossSouthern African Catholic Bishops' ConferenceThe Catholic Diocese of Oudtshoorn

16/10/2024

Last chance to book! Email Eva on [email protected] or WhatsApp 083 777 9898

11/10/2024

Happy Feast Day of St Pope John XXIII (1881-1963).

Did you know that the Pope prayed a daily decalogue to start his day? A variation of this is used within Alcoholics Anonymous as a pocket card as especially the part of "for 12 hours I can do something that would appal me if I felt I had to do it for the rest of my life" is very applicable. (paraphrased).
Let us pray for each other and have a good weekend fellow pilgrims.

10/10/2024

Don’t miss out on your chance to hear Father Charles Brown, S.C.J. (USA, Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians) and this special 3-day midweek theology series. Consider the origin of the gospel tradition, the relationship between history and sacred text, and the ancient literary genre called “gospel.” Attendees should have a good understanding of scripture. Bookings open till 25 October.

08/10/2024

Bishop Hugh was also instrumental in the writing of the book HIV/AIDS A Call to Action – Responding as Christians - inspired by the positive response he received to a Pastoral Letter he wrote on the issue.
May the soul of Bishop Hugh Patrick Slattery MSC rest in peace, 1934 to 2024

04/10/2024

St Luke's October Bookclub: Story of a soul

I will be honest: the first time I started to read the Autobiography of St Thérèse of Lisieux, I read a few pages and threw the book in frustration into a corner. In my ignorance it appeared to be the scribblings of a foolish little girl and I could not understand how so many people loved this book. But I was merely a Baby-Christian after just having returned back to the Catholic Church, the faith of my childhood and I just could not understand the simplicity with which our Little Flower wrote.

The second time around a few years later I could not stop reading it and re-read it. So many things stood out to me: her own struggles with other people (other nuns so that put some things into perspective about relationships in general), her desire of entering religious life and the fierce determination to get there although she was too young to be accepted as well as many of her stories like her prayers for a murderer on death row whom she named her "first child" or her "elevator to heaven" (you will have to read the book, I don't want to spoil it).

St Thérèse's book helped me to accept my weakness and struggles in praying the rosary. She says in her book:

"When alone, (I am ashamed to admit it) the recitation of the rosary is more difficult for me than the wearing of an instrument of penance. I feel I have said this so poorly! I force myself in vain to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary; I don’t succeed in fixing my mind on them."

But she did not give up. Instead she focused on Mary as a Mother seeing her good will instead of her perfection. This allows me to find the grace to keep trying and praying the rosary as much as I can, even if it is sometimes hard and I do not want to. I pray that this book will guide you in your own life and why not read it this month as October is the month of the Rosary.

If a saint and Doctor of the church experienced such struggles in praying the rosary, maybe there is hope for you and me also.

Please share with us what is your favourite part about the book?

https://retreatcentre.org.za/october-book-club-story-of-a-soul/

03/10/2024

Mark your calendars!!! The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem called for a day of prayer, penance, and fasting on October 7. The day will coincide with the first anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel. It is also the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Pope Francis has seconded the initiative, broadening it to be a day to pray for peace around the world.

02/10/2024

Last weekend a group of Sisters of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS) stayed with us as they went on pilgrimage to Dunbrody (Addo). Dunbrody is the site where Trappist Monk Franz Pfanner first arrived in South Africa. Due to drought, winds and baboons he had to abandon this first mission and went to Durban where closely he founded the Monastery of Mariannhill. Imagine, we could have had our own Mariannhill right on our doorstep here in the Eastern Cape?!

The sisters are full of life and smiles and one can see the light of Christ shining through them. We love having them here with us every year. Maybe God is calling you to become a sister too?

Below picture was taken at Dunbrody and is published with permission. In the picture with them is their chaplain, Father Joseph Arinze Okeke C.O. who celebrated Holy Mass with them at Dunbrody.

Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood - Eastern Africa Province

01/10/2024

Reminder for movie night! See you tomorrow!

01/10/2024

Happy Feast day of St Thérèse of Lisieux today! May God bless us all! Thank you for the life of your faithful servant also known as the Little Flower 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🪻🌷🪻🪻🪻🌷🌷🪻🪷🌺🌸🌼🥀🌹🌹🌹

"The splendour of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness". - St Thérèse of Lisieux

30/09/2024

As we come to the end of our novena today, when we get to the part “Especially…”, let us insert the name of the person that we experience the most difficulties with. As Jesus asked us to pray for our enemies, let us do so.

I love your people, Lord. Help me to love them more! - Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux - Day 9

Dearest Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, you said that you would spend your time in heaven doing good on earth.Your trust in God was complete. Pray that He may increase my trust in His goodness and mercy as I ask for the following petitions…
(State your intentions)

Pray for me that I, like you, may have great and innocent confidence in the loving promises of our God. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply.

Saint Thérèse, you were faithful to God even unto the moment of your death. Pray for me that I may be faithful to our loving God. May my life bring peace and love to the world through faithful endurance in love for God our saviour.
Loving God, St. Thérèse never doubted that her life had meaning. Help me to see how I can bless and love everyone in my life. Especially…

I love your people, Lord. Help me to love them more!
I reflect you to the world, Lord. Help me to reflect you more clearly!
I rely on you, Lord. Help me to rely on you more!
I accept your will, Lord. Help me to accept your will every day!
I try to forgive, Lord. Help me to forgive 70 times 7 times!
I am humble, Lord. Give me more humility!
I see you, Lord. Help me to see you more!
I trust you, Lord. Help me to trust you more!
I love you, Lord. Help me to love you more!

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

29/09/2024

I reflect you to the world, Lord. Help me to reflect you more clearly! Novena to St Thérèse of Lisieux - Day 8

I reflect you to the world, Lord. Help me to reflect you more clearly! Novena to St Thérèse of Lisieux - Day 8

Dearest Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, you said that you would spend your time in heaven doing good on earth.
Your trust in God was complete. Pray that He may increase my trust in His goodness and mercy as I ask for the following petitions…
(State your intentions)

Pray for me that I, like you, may have great and innocent confidence in the loving promises of our God. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply.

Saint Thérèse, you were faithful to God even unto the moment of your death. Pray for me that I may be faithful to our loving God. May my life bring peace and love to the world through faithful endurance in love for God our saviour.

Loving God, You loved St. Thérèse with a powerful love and made her a source of strength to those who had lost faith in You. Help me to pray with confidence for those in my life who do not believe they can be loved.

I reflect you to the world, Lord. Help me to reflect you more clearly!
I rely on you, Lord. Help me to rely on you more!
I accept your will, Lord. Help me to accept your will every day!
I try to forgive, Lord. Help me to forgive 70 times 7 times!
I am humble, Lord. Give me more humility!
I see you, Lord. Help me to see you more!
I trust you, Lord. Help me to trust you more!
I love you, Lord. Help me to love you more!

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

29/09/2024

I reflect you to the world, Lord. Help me to reflect you more clearly! Novena to St Thérèse of Lisieux - Day 8

Dearest Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, you said that you would spend your time in heaven doing good on earth.
Your trust in God was complete. Pray that He may increase my trust in His goodness and mercy as I ask for the following petitions…
(State your intentions)

Pray for me that I, like you, may have great and innocent confidence in the loving promises of our God. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply.

Saint Thérèse, you were faithful to God even unto the moment of your death. Pray for me that I may be faithful to our loving God. May my life bring peace and love to the world through faithful endurance in love for God our saviour.

Loving God, You loved St. Thérèse with a powerful love and made her a source of strength to those who had lost faith in You. Help me to pray with confidence for those in my life who do not believe they can be loved.

I reflect you to the world, Lord. Help me to reflect you more clearly!
I rely on you, Lord. Help me to rely on you more!
I accept your will, Lord. Help me to accept your will every day!
I try to forgive, Lord. Help me to forgive 70 times 7 times!
I am humble, Lord. Give me more humility!
I see you, Lord. Help me to see you more!
I trust you, Lord. Help me to trust you more!
I love you, Lord. Help me to love you more!

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

28/09/2024

I rely on you, Lord. Help me to rely on you more!
Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux - Day 7

Dearest Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, you said that you would spend your time in heaven doing good on earth.

Your trust in God was complete. Pray that He may increase my trust in His goodness and mercy as I ask for the following petitions…
(State your intentions)

Pray for me that I, like you, may have great and innocent confidence in the loving promises of our God. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply.

Saint Thérèse, you were faithful to God even unto the moment of your death. Pray for me that I may be faithful to our loving God. May my life bring peace and love to the world through faithful endurance in love for God our saviour.

Loving God, St. Thérèse offered to You her weakness. Help me to see in my weakness an opportunity to rely completely on you.

I rely on you, Lord. Help me to rely on you more!
I accept your will, Lord. Help me to accept your will every day!
I try to forgive, Lord. Help me to forgive 70 times 7 times!
I am humble, Lord. Give me more humility!
I see you, Lord. Help me to see you more!
I trust you, Lord. Help me to trust you more!
I love you, Lord. Help me to love you more!

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

27/09/2024

I accept your will, Lord. Help me to accept your will every day! - Novena Day 6

Dearest Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, you said that you would spend your time in heaven doing good on earth.

Your trust in God was complete. Pray that He may increase my trust in His goodness and mercy as I ask for the following petitions…
(State your intentions)

Pray for me that I, like you, may have great and innocent confidence in the loving promises of our God. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply.

Saint Thérèse, you were faithful to God even unto the moment of your death. Pray for me that I may be faithful to our loving God. May my life bring peace and love to the world through faithful endurance in love for God our savior.

Loving God, St. Thérèse experienced every day as a gift from You. She saw it as a time to love You through other people. May I, too, see every day as an opportunity to say yes to You.

I accept your will, Lord. Help me to accept your will every day!
I try to forgive, Lord. Help me to forgive 70 times 7 times!
I am humble, Lord. Give me more humility!
I see you, Lord. Help me to see you more!
I trust you, Lord. Help me to trust you more!
I love you, Lord. Help me to love you more!

Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

27/09/2024

Please join us next Wednesday for movie night here at St Luke's and some Christian fellowship! We will watch the movie "Overcomer", a Christian movie about family, trials, and finding one's identity in Christ.