Journey to the Foot of the Cross

           Forty-one single young adults take a journey to the foot of the cross on 16 March at Stella Maris Retreat Centre, Penang.

          The retreat ‘A Journey to the Foot of the Cross’ was organized by the Penang Diocesan Youth Network (PDYN), with Fr. David Reegon, OFM Cap as the retreat master. It began at 9.00am and ended at 6.00pm.

           Fr David’s input was based on the gospel of Luke, chapter 23, verse 22 onwards. He led the participants to a deeper understanding of the Crucifixion of Christ based on those gospel passages, stressing on the importance of meditating on the Cross and of spending time with God in silence.

        Fr David also shared his reflections on the ‘Irony of Taunt’, which was then followed by small group sharing and reflection. The participants were inspired to express their need to know Jesus more and have a keen desire to follow His example of going against the ‘norms’ and to be effective witnesses.

        In the afternoon, after lunch, the participants watched a movie entitled ‘The Passion’ by Dough Barry. ‘The Passion’ is a one-man stage production, a dramatic account reflecting on the passion of Jesus Christ.

        The highlight of the retreat came towards the end of the retreat with the ‘Lenten Ritual’. After some prayers, participants were given some time to write down on a small piece of paper, their prayers and concerns. One by one, they then went up to a wooden cross, and stick the papers on the cross.

           This was followed by Mass, of which the papers on the cross were burned and offered up during the presentation of gifts.

         Some of the participants commented that the retreat had been very fruitful to them as it helps them to renew their faith.

             PDYN will be organizing a follow-up activity after Easter.

by:  Lucia Lai