On 25 and 26 October, the first edition of the Sisters Retreat took place in Divinópolis, a weekend prepared with great love, especially for women.
Paula, a sister involved in the community, shares her testimony of what happened there.
From the beginning, the vision for this retreat was to welcome women who may never have had the opportunity to have a spiritual experience and a personal encounter with Christ, or who, after having already experienced God’s presence, had drifted away over time. One hundred and twenty women were welcomed to a weekend marked by beauty, delicacy and the profound presence of God in every detail, making them feel that they are beloved daughters of the Father.
During the retreat, participants enjoyed intense moments of conferences, workshops, sharing, Mass and reconciliation. One of the great graces received was the opportunity for each one to be listened to personally, either through the sacrament of confession or through the sisters of the Caminho Novo Community, who took turns in pairs to welcome, pray for and bless each of the participants. The teachings were inspired by the encounters of women with Christ in the Gospel: Mary Magdalene, called by name on the morning of the Resurrection; the bent woman, who allows herself to be healed in her vulnerability; the woman with the haemorrhage, symbol of faith and restoration; and Mary of Bethany, who poured her precious perfume at Jesus’ feet — an image of intimacy and total offering to which we are all called.
Between tears and smiles, God guided every moment with tenderness and power. The testimony of a woman who, unable to bear children, experienced motherhood through the adoption of five children, deeply touched all the participants, reminding them that God has prepared a crown for each one, in His time and in His way. The retreat ended with a powerful moment of prayer to the Holy Spirit, where the heavens seemed to open, and many women were deeply touched by God’s love and presence.
The Sisters Retreat exceeded all expectations: it was a time of reunion, inner healing and renewed hope. God did infinitely more than anyone could have imagined. Each woman left with a renewed heart, filled with the Holy Spirit and imbued with the fragrance of eternity, called to live a life of intimacy and love with Christ.