By Huy Nguyen
Jesus said to them: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31)
As is customary, the annual retreat of the seminary usually takes place during the first week of second semester break. The week long retreat this year took place at Pallotti College in Millgrove. This is a place blessed with picturesque nature. There were 21 of us participating in this event, which was directed by Fr Uoc Pham, a Jesuit priest residing in Parkville.
The retreat, indeed, was designed to help seminarians to pause and slow down our busy lives. This included either those of us in the seminary or those of us in the parish. It was a chance to recharge ourselves before wrapping up our academic studies and pastoral work before the end of this year.
More importantly, we spent this silent retreat week wasting time with the Lord, listening attentively to Him and humbly asking His grace for our vocational journey ahead.
Fr Pham, a hilarious and approachable character, guided us to reflect on some topics, ranging from prayer, meditation to the contemplation on the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection through his Ignatian spirituality. This was, without doubt, a blessed and fruitful week for everyone, both physically and spiritually before we resume our daily routines. The retreat finished with the convivium gathering where we had a chance to evaluate and share our retreat experiences with each other.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to the Seminary, Fr Uoc Pham, Pallotti College managers Bill and Mary-Anne Henderson, as well as Pallotti College volunteers for organising this great event. Deo Gracias!
Pictures below- Jackson Saunders (Fourth-year seminarian for the Sandhurst Diocese).
