On April 1, Right Reverend Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., Abbot of Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee led “A Day of Silence” as part of the Eucharistic Revival initiative at Saint Gregory’s Abbey. The theme of the day was meant as a preparation for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery and Easter.
The retreat focused on the final discourses and instructions Jesus gave to his disciples to carry on his mission of love as he instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another,” (John 13:34).
Abbot Lawrence alternated brief reflections with time for individual meditation on the John 14-17. Question and answer sessions allowed the participants to appreciate the deeper spiritual meaning of the events in the Upper Room.
Abbot Lawrence explained the importance of the Priestly Prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper. In this prayer Jesus intercedes for the apostles and all Christians as the fulfillment and perfection of Levitical priesthood and the Law given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
“All baptized have a share in this priestly function of Jesus’ sacrifice, in his offering of thanksgiving, intercession and communicating God’s graces to the world,” he emphasized.
“Jesus’ sufferings were in complete obedience to the Father,” Abbot Lawrence said. “Jesus lived perfectly to teach us how to be perfectly human. He embraced all that it means to be human and offered it to God as a thanksgiving sacrifice.”
He also said that Jesus’ Priestly Prayer in the Upper Room leads people to better understand his self-emptying on the Cross – his complete gift of love which people celebrate at each Holy Eucharist.
The participants were enthused about the opportunity to attend this silent retreat filled with meditations on the Holy Scripture and spiritually nurturing reflections by Abbot Lawrence.
Janine Luevano from Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City said with great appreciation, “In our Hispanic culture we have retreats with lots of music and prayer. We don’t have a quiet time. This Day of Reflection is completely different; it is very special and beautiful.”
She went on to say, “I have been searching for peace for a long time, and I have found it here today.”
Reflecting on the meaning of the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, Luevano shared her personal experience about the Blessed Sacrament, “God is always there to welcome us with open arms, even if at times we don’t know how to speak to him. It’s enough to repeat his name: Jesus, Jesus … he will give you the peace you need.”
Similarly, Jon Reiff from Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond expressed his gratitude for the event.
“The Day of Silence was spiritually beautiful … and in a beautiful place … very well organized,” Reiff said.
He highlighted the importance of the Holy Eucharist and adoration as the integral parts of the retreat program, “The Holy Eucharist is our inspiration – the Lord communicates with us directly … During adoration the Holy Spirit was very present throughout this sacred event. I encourage other people to come. I am a new Catholic and I’m very delighted about this great opportunity today for prayer and guidance on the Bible.”
Summarizing the Day of Silence, Abbot Lawrence encouraged the participants to allow the Holy Spirit to bring them to yet a higher level of communion with God. “Our relationship with Jesus shall be constantly unfolding and growing. Maybe we knew Jesus one way when we were young, we understood how he worked in us and through us then. Don’t cling to that. Allow him to continue to grow in your life with the help of the Holy Spirit as he speaks to you through the Holy Scripture,” Abbot Lawrence said.
Emphasizing the power of love flowing from the Eucharist and the Easter Mystery of the Cross and Resurrection, he closed the Day of Reflection by saying, “Pray to the Holy Spirit. We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit to understand better and to grow more deeply in the great love that the Father has for us through Jesus the Son.”
Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.