Speaker: Sr Antonia Curtis OSB and Libby Denny (oblate)
Topic: Lectio Divina
Cost: $150
Join Sr Antonia Curtis OSB and Oblate Libby Denny for a peaceful weekend of prayer, teaching, and spiritual renewal as we explore the ancient and transformative practice of lectio divina—the sacred reading of Scripture.
Throughout the weekend, we’ll look into the development of the lectio divina tradition, hear about and practise the process itself, and receive practical guidance to help integrate this way of prayer into daily life. Special attention will be given to cultivating silence, listening, and reflective stillness—essential components of a prayer practice that has nourished the Church since its earliest days.
Retreat Highlights:
Three talks across the two days
Time for silence and personal reflection
Group engagement with Scripture through lectio divina
Opportunities to participate in the monastic liturgy
Time to enjoy the Abbey’s tranquil rainforest walk
Accommodation: Participants may attend daily or stay in the Abbey’s peaceful cottage accommodation. You are also welcome to remain for personal reflection on Sunday evening at no additional cost. Cottages must be vacated by 9:00am on Monday 21 July. Additional accommodation is available nearby in Kiama.
Retreat Fee: $150 (in addition to accommodation costs) Discounts or concessions available on request.
Bookings: Call (02) 4236 0011 – Extension 114 or email [email protected] A full retreat program will be provided upon booking.
Sr. Antonia entered the Benedictine Abbey at Jamberoo, Australia, in 1990 and made her Solemn Profession in 1996. In 1997, she was appointed novice mistress and continued in that role for the next seventeen years. In 2001, she was appointed novice mistress at our foundation of Our Lady of the Desert in New Mexico, USA, and in 2004 was again at Our Lady of the Desert, this time as Prioress.
Sr Antonia was awarded a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Centre for Religious Development, Cambridge Massachusetts USA in 1995 and has worked as a spiritual director in our guest cottages during the ensuing years.
Sr Antonia gives conferences on the vows to the local sisters in formation and writes our the Abbey chronicles as well as many other spiritual works. As well she has a reflections page on the Abbey website and has many other on line retreats available for those interested in a range of topics.
Sr Antonia would like to thank her sisters in community who have been so supportive and helpful in putting this retreat together.
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Our diocesan logo is theologically rich and very succinct. As a hand, it depicts our mission as a diocese and as individuals within the diocese, of bearing (bringing, carrying) Christ’s love to one another and to the world around us. In this, we are the hand of Jesus Christ, and we are offering ourselves to him so that he might work through us.
We can be the bearers of his love only as a response to his call and in the strength of his grace. We are reminded of this in two ways—through the symbol of the dove (the Holy Spirit) also present in the logo, and by the incorporation of the cross that segments the logo. The presence of the cross is a reminder that bearing the love of Christ will inevitably cost us if we live it authentically. However, in the way that the Cross is the portent of redemption and life—an echo of the tree of life in the book of Genesis—so becoming bearers of the love of Christ will also bring us to life.
The four fingers of the hand also represent the four regions of our diocese. The first is bluerepresenting the beautiful water of the Shoalhaven. The second is a blue and green combination representing the waters and escarpment of the Illawarra. The third is greendepicting the hills and plains of the Macarthur. The fourth is dark green illustrating the forests of the Southern Highlands.
