Advent Series: Making Our Way in the Wilderness

Several of the scripture texts we’ll hear this Advent season draw our attention to the wilderness. The gospel writers highlight John the Baptist – a man living in the desert, his voice crying in the wilderness – as the one heralding the arrival of the Christ. The prophet Isaiah calls the people to prepare a way in the wilderness for this arrival. Monastics in the early centuries went into desert wildernesses specifically to clear a path so that the Spirit could more easily reach their souls. We have all had desert experiences at one time or another; we have all found ourselves wandering in the wilderness. Be a part of this Advent contemplative community, together considering how it is precisely in those very wilderness times we are invited to prepare a path for the Christ spirit to enter our lives, our hearts. Each 90-minute session has a short period of introduction to a sacred writing, a person, a reflection or image and time for both small and large group conversation. Each session is also punctuated with contemplative practices such as statio (moments of silence), lectio divina (sacred reading), visio divina (sacred seeing).

Dates/Times

IN-PERSON – Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30 am

• Dec. 1
• Dec. 8
• Dec. 15

Consider extending your experience by staying longer and attending optional prayer and/or lunch at the monastery. There is a fee for lunch if you decide to stay.

• 11:45 am – Midday Prayer: All are welcome to join the sisters’ community and guests for communal prayer in the Oratory (lower level of the monastery building). Click to learn more about prayer at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
• 12:00 pm – Lunch ($19): Enjoy a delicious meal prepared fresh by our chefs. Email retreats@holywisdommonastery.org to reserve your meal 48 hours in advance. Please specify which date/dates you wish to stay for lunch.

VIRTUAL – Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm

• Dec. 2
• Dec. 9
• Dec. 16

RECORDINGS – Sent out weekly after the virtual sessions