We invite you to “Magnify the Lord!” At-Home Retreat to experience deeper contemplative prayer in silence and solitude, and interior transformation in God’s Wisdom through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

1) Set time apart:

Mark the dates of Saturday, October 10th (starting in the morning) and Sunday, October 11th (ending in the evening) on your calendar for your personal at-home Retreat.  If possible, take the time off work and arrange childcare, if needed.  Try to do necessary house or yard work ahead of time.  Tell your friends and family that you will be setting aside these Retreat days and will be unavailable for regular phone calls or text messages.  Try to avoid socializing with others throughout your personal Retreat to protect your Retreat silence and graces.

2) Technology:

“Magnify the Lord!” Retreat will be posted on our website at www.bellwetheromaha.org.  You do not need to pre-register.  In order to enter more deeply into silence and prayerful heart listening during your Retreat, we encourage you to limit the use of your phone and other technology to only the Retreat materials.  Before beginning the Retreat, close your email and any auto-notification programs and news updates on your phone or computer to eliminate pop-ups.  Also, turn off any unnecessary technology in your home during the Retreat.

3) Prepare a place to pray:

We encourage you to create or find a quiet and special place in your home with a comfortable prayer chair and table that can be your own place of prayer during Retreat.  You can place a crucifix, a holy image of Jesus and Our Lady, or any other holy image that will help you to experience a place set apart for just you and the Lord.

4) Plan meals:

Try to purchase food ahead of time from the store and prepare your meals in advance as much as possible to allow for more time to pray and rest during the Retreat.

5) Plan for rest times:

Retreat is a time to be renewed physically and spiritually by the Lord and to pause from the busyness of our everyday lives. Consider what time you can go to bed and wake up in order to get sufficient rest. When you are well-rested, you can pray and hear the Lord more clearly. 

6) Receiving the Sacraments:

Plan ahead for available Mass times to attend during the Retreat, as well as a possible time for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation before, during or after Retreat.

7) Retreat items needed:

You will need to have a new journal, pens, highlighter, Bible and good quality headphones (if preferred) to listen to the Retreat material posted on our website.  Also, please be sure to test your computer, tablet or mobile device that you will use for the Retreat ahead of time.