Anna Byrne DC, Catholic representative on the ECI committee, attended this retreat and sent us this report:
A retreat from 15-18th of September was led by Xavier de Benaze SJ, a French Jesuit. Xavier guided a group of 20 through a reflective and interactive process much of which was conducted outside in the beautiful grounds of Manresa, Dublin and the adjoining St Anne’s Park. The aim of the retreat was to explore the question, “How can we integrate our ecology with our spirituality?” This was done in 4 stages:
1. Anchoring – in gratitude
2. Honouring – sorrow for the world
3. Changing – outlook
4. Moving forward
Moving forward through the stages was experienced through various exercises that combined personal time with group exercises. Personal times of prayer enabled everyone to “make the link” between the experience of the Work that Reconnects and the Word of God, which is the foundation of our Christian hope. The ECI Climate Justice Candle was used in the final session –see photo above -where I was given an opportunity share how ECI might help to support concrete actions in relation to care for our common home.
The process is called The Work that Reconnects. It is an eco-psychological method developed by Joanna Macy since the 1980s. Its spiral dynamic can be experienced by Christians as an eco-spiritual path rooted in the Gospel.