Tag Archives: prayer retreat

Advent III: Retreat

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Three cancelled appointments and a no show at Bible study gave me the breathing room I needed. I know that was You looking after me. Sometimes You’re about as quiet as a three-year-old trying to sneak up on mommy. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Advent, Bark Cabin Natural Area, Bowen Island, Esther Hizsa, John Pavlovitz, Josh Kelahan, Low: An Honest Advent Devotional, Nicholas A Tonelli, prayer retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

All Shall Be Well

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

While Fred and I were camping at Rathtrevor Beach on Vancouver Island last week, I had an unusual dream. I dreamed that I was co-facilitating Living from the Heart and looked at the schedule. My name was next to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Reflections, Stories | Tagged all shall be well, Esther Hizsa, Julian of Norwich, Marcia Fretheim, Nancy Bailey, prayer retreat, Psalm 138:8, Rathtrevor Beach, Ruth Hartnup, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Showings of Julian of Norwich, Yummifruitbat | Leave a comment

How God Waits

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

On Monday I participated in a one-day silent prayer retreat with friends using last week’s post as our guide. I listened to Steve Bell sing Lenten Lands and a feeling of hope rose up in me. God has turned the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mystical, Prayer, Reflections, Songs, Stories | Tagged Christchurch, Coco Love Alcorn, collage, Esther Hizsa, Isaiash 30:15-18, Lenten Lands, Malcolm Guite, New Zealand, prayer retreat, Ruth Monette, shootings, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Bell, The River | 2 Comments

Don’t Do a Thing

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

My Eight-Day Retreat: Part 2 “I don’t enjoy praying for a whole hour,” I admitted to Father Roshan on the third morning of my eight-day retreat. His eyes widened for half a second. But he didn’t question me. He just … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged abide, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, God's love, Hafiz, Just Sit There Right Now, Luke 12:22-31, Luke 7:36-50, prayer retreat, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

DIY Retreat #7: Circle Me, Lord

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Here is another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline prepared by my friend Joy Richardson, a spiritual director in Coquitlam. You’ll find the introduction to DIY group prayer retreats here and other outlines under resources. CIRCLE ME, LORD After people have gathered, begin with a time of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline | Tagged Circle Me Lord, Circle Prayers, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian prayer, Ignatius of Loyola, Joy Richardson, Luke 13: 10-17, prayer retreat, Psalm 131:2, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, spiritual director Vancouver, Spiritual Exercises | 2 Comments

Cracked Open: Part One

Posted on July 1, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“I’d like you to begin the retreat by praying with Psalm 139,” said Edmund, the young Jesuit who was my spiritual director for the eight days I spent alone with God. My room at Carmel Hill Formation House in Deroche opened … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged California Golden Poppy, California Poppy, Carmel Hill, Deroche, eight day prayer retreat, Esther Hizsa, Father Alwyn, Helen Chua Tiampo, Ignatian prayer retreat, Little Flower Monastery, Luke 18:9-14, Nan C. Merrill, Philip Bouchard, prayer retreat, Psalm 139, Psalm 51:17, psalm 91, Psalms for Praying, Publican and the Pharisee Icon, spiritual director Burnaby, Thea Rose | 6 Comments

DIY Retreat #5: When Israel Was a Child I Loved Her

Posted on November 12, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Here is another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline in the Ignatian tradition prepared by my friend Joy Richardson, a spiritual director in Coquitlam. You can find other outlines under resources. Here’s an introduction. “When Israel Was a Child I Loved Her…” Welcome God’s Presence … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Ignatian Spirituality, Prayer, Prayer Retreat Outline | Tagged David Bowman, Esther Hizsa, Father Richard Soo, Hosea 11:1-11, Ignatian prayer, Innocence, Joy Richardson, prayer retreat, Psalm 13:1, Rembrandt, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

DIY Prayer Retreat #4: A Basket of Fresh Bread

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

A few weeks ago, I gathered with friends for our monthly silent retreat. It was my turn to lead, and this is the outline I used. If you’d like to try one yourself, here’s how we do it. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer Retreat Outline, Resource | Tagged 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Timothy 1:14, A Basket of Fresh Bread, Abba Moses, Augustine, Bram Cymet, Christ in you, Coleman Barks, Colossians 1:27, Confessions, Desert Fathers, Esther Hizsa, Go and sit in your cell, Holy Spirit in you, prayer retreat, Psalm 46, Rumi, Rumie: The Book of Love, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Leave a comment

Life in the Slow Lane

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

After eight slow days on the “mountain” with God, I wanted to maintain a more leisurely pace back in the valley of the shadow of life. I took a hard look at my calendar and wondered how I was going to do everything without rushing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Ephesians 3:14-21, Esther Hizsa, J. Philip Newell, Ken Slade, prayer retreat, Snail's Pace, Sounds of the Eternal, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

Eight Days Alone with God

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

After a long kiss goodbye, Fred drove off. I brushed off my nervousness and unpacked my things. It didn’t take long–just clothes, knitting needles and yarn, my Bible, notebook and a copy of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. No computer, no other … Continue reading →