Sanctuary, wisdom, integrity, patience and perseverance, resilience, affirmation and hope.

These were some of the gifts participants received during a five day retreat at the beautiful St Mary’s Monastery, a Redemptorist community, on the outskirts of Perth, Scotland.

The retreat, organised by the Church of Scotland, was advertised as a sanctuary following the spirituality of St Ignatius. Twenty ministers travelled from all over Scotland and even Lausanne, Switzerland to take part.

We met for one hour twice a day and explored different ways of praying following the dynamic of the spiritual exercises.

Relationships within the group developed and deepened over the five days, providing a unique opportunity for significant conversations plus a lot of laughter and fun!

The final session was the high point for me. Retreatants were invited to respond in a few words to their experience over the week and it was clear that the Spirit had been at work!

It was a huge privilege to lead the group and to be a small part in individual journeys.

Duncan Hughes, Epiphany Group

If the Beatitudes can speak to us in any age, they can speak to us now in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, writes SUSAN MANSFIELD, (member of the Epiphany Group ) as she continues the Ignatian Lent Retreat through these extraordinary times.  Read her article in the Scottish Catholic Observer.

Also read her other articles in the series:

Setting out on a prayerful Lent adventure with St Ignatius

Susan Mansfield looks at how the ISC programme created by Ignatius is still helping people today to deepen their Christian Faith.

Being shaped by the hand of God

Shining a flashlight into the darkest of places

A long search for a true an authentic hero

Beatitudes for our troubled times amid COVID-19