Lenten Retreat Covers Scripture, History

The Atlanta Region spent time living together in community at their annual Lenten retreat over the weekend of February 27-March 1, spending three days and two nights at the Heritage Retreat Center in Crawfordville, Georgia.

Atlanta Hospitaller Patricia Turpin kicked off the retreat with a review of Stunned by Scripture, by Dr. John Bergsma, a book the Atlanta Region has been studying for its Defense of the Faith program. Msgr. Edward Dillon, Conventual Chaplain ad honorem, was on hand to assist Patricia with questions. Msgr. Dillon and the Rev. Gerardo Ceballos, Associate Chaplain, gave several talks on subjects related to the history of the Order, the Malta Cross as a Lenten symbol of shared suffering and redemptive love, the centrality of the theological virtue of charity in the Order, defending the faith through charity, and the religious structure of the Order.

Members were given the opportunity to go to confession, work on blankets for the annual Lourdes pilgrimage, write letters to prisoners, and explore the beautiful grounds of the retreat center. Lynn Mullaney, DMOb, gave a talk on praying the Beatitudes with the eight-pointed Malta Cross.

After the Saturday evening Rosary, members spent time making s’mores and enjoying one another’s company. The weekend culminated with Sunday morning Mass at the Church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sharon, Georgia, which is the oldest Catholic Church in the state, dating back to 1790, though the present church structure was built in 1883.