Life-Giving Wounds Weekend Retreat

Life-Giving Wounds is a three-day retreat that invites participants to move through the broken image of love that appeared to them in their parents’ relationship to their deepest origin and identity as God’s beloved, capable of great love. It will be led by the Life-Giving Wounds traveling retreat team.

The retreat begins on Friday September 26, at 7:00 pm and ends on Sunday September 28, at 3:30 pm. Cost per individual is $225/person. Registration includes all meals, private room, and the Life-Giving Wounds Retreat Guide and Journal Combo Life-Giving Wounds Retreat Guide and Journal Combo. Must be 18 or older to attend. Full or partial scholarships are available upon request if cost is prohibitive.

About Life-Giving Wounds

Who should attend the retreat?

We realize that everyone’s story of divorce or separation is unique. We believe – and we have seen – that the retreat has something to offer everyone who has experienced their parents’ divorce or separation, no matter when it happened, or the particular circumstances involved. The retreat is also for those whose parents received a declaration of nullity (annulment) or whose parents never married (and are no longer together).

We are also aware that participants come on this retreat at very different places in their spiritual and healing journeys. The retreat leaders aim to accompany everyone with kindness and compassion, but it’s important to discern prior to going on retreat whether you’re at a healthy place to closely examine the wounds and sadness caused by your parents’ divorce or separation. For those currently working with a counselor or therapist, we recommend asking their professional opinion.

What is included in the retreat?

• Presentations by trained retreat leaders. Presentations cover a broad range of topics, including how one’s parents’ divorce or separation affects one’s identity and relationship with God; its impact on trust, dating, and marriage; ways to navigate anger and anxiety; true Christian forgiveness; appropriate boundaries with family members; redemptive suffering; gratitude and joy; and more. (The walks participants through the retreat, with talk pointers, handouts, and space for notes.)
  
• Guided small group discussions with peers. Many retreatants identify this time as their favorite part of the retreat; it can be very healing to discover that others are facing similar challenges and really “get it.” The small groups allow an opportunity to “unpack” the material in the presentations. However, we know that not everyone is comfortable sharing in a small-group setting, and that people process information differently. Thus, participating in a small group is optional, and retreatants can opt instead for personal prayer or journaling time.
  
• Guided journaling. Everyone has a story, and it is important to write it out because by doing so participants grieve, grow in clarity, and untangle the different emotions, effects, and moments in their lives related to the pain of their parents’ divorce or separation. We therefore encourage journaling and prompt participants with specific questions so that they receive insight and healing through this process. Many participants tell us how helpful it is to have one unified story by the end of the retreat, a story that sheds light on who they are and where they need to grow. Many also tell us that they would have never done this on their own, and that the journaling prompts are very motivating and helpful for their healing. (We have our own , too!)
  

• Prayer and sacraments. As a Catholic retreat, our weekend includes sacramental moments (Eucharist and Confession) and prayerful devotions like Eucharistic adoration, scriptural meditation, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Moments of prayer are presented with care and reverence on the retreat, with the strong conviction that our faith is the greatest source of healing. At the same time, all ACODs are welcome to attend regardless of their religious background or current connection to their faith. It’s always an option to spend time in personal prayer or journaling if individuals do not want to participate in a certain religious activity.

For further information contact:

David Grobbel, L.M.S.W.
Sponsor – LGW Detroit Chapter
Archdiocese of Detroit | Family Life Office
[email protected] | 313-237-5894

Host or Publisher Archdiocese of Detroit - Office for Marriage