A Power Greater Than Ourselves: Reflections on Twelve-Step Spirituality 2018

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A Power Greater Than Ourselves: Reflections on Twelve-Step Spirituality  

Friday, August 10 - Sunday, August 12, 2018

Retreat Description: This retreat is designed for members of 12-step fellowships and for anyone interested in its universal principles for spiritual living. Fr. Francis will begin his reflections as usual with his foundational premises on the spiritual life as they interface with the 12 steps of Alcoholic Anonymous. His particular emphasis will be steps 1-3. In each one of our lives, we experience powerlessness, aspects of ourselves and our relationships which are unmanageable. In such situations, we can hopefully discover our need to reach out to 'a Power greater than ourselves' to 'restore us to sanity': a new life of sobriety, grace, and balance. This higher Power is seen as an unconditionally loving God whose will intends our best good. This 'knowledge' helps us to make the 'decision to turn our will and our lives' over to God. N.B.: There will be a 12-step meeting during the weekend for those who are members of any fellowship following the 12 steps.  

Presenter: Father Francis Benedict has been a monk of Valyermo since 1967. He earned an MA in Philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University and an MS in Theology from Mt. Angel in Oregon. He was ordained a priest in 1976. He served as the Abbey's abbot for 16 years. His special areas of ministry include spiritual director, preaching retreats, and working with 12-step recovery groups. In addition to many responsibilities at the Abbey, he now serves as the Director of Oblates.