When Retreats Go Deeper
There’s something about stepping away from your usual routine that helps you notice what really matters. Weekend retreats aren’t just for silence and prayer (though those help). They’re a chance to look inward, ask hard questions, and come out with a clearer view of where your faith stands—and where it’s going.
Now imagine centering that retreat around the “Period of Purification and Enlightenment” from Journey Through Time. It’s not just a phase for RCIA candidates—it’s a stage that every believer can revisit. Especially when life feels noisy, messy, or out of sync.
Bringing the RCIA Period into Real Life
The “Period of Purification and Enlightenment” is usually associated with Lent and Holy Week, but it doesn’t need to be locked to the calendar. At its heart, it’s about confronting what needs to go—habits, doubts, distractions—and allowing God to make space for something better. That’s the perfect foundation for a weekend retreat.
Start your retreat by asking what areas of your life feel dry, disconnected, or in the way of real growth. Use the themes from Journey Through Time—reflection, penance, and renewal—to guide small group discussions or personal journaling. What needs purification in your thoughts, your habits, or your relationships?
Then shift toward “enlightenment.” This isn’t about instant clarity—it’s about small lights breaking through. Invite retreat participants to reflect on where they’ve seen grace show up unexpectedly. Use Scripture, quiet time, and sections from the book to ground those insights. When paired with real prayer and honest community, it becomes less of a themed weekend—and more of a spiritual reset.
The Author Who Lives the Process
Dr. Laurence F. Aucella doesn’t present this phase as a one-time RCIA requirement. In Journey Through Time, he shows that purification and enlightenment are lifelong cycles—ones that keep us rooted in faith while helping us grow into something new.
With his background in counseling and formation, Aucella brings the balance of reflection and encouragement. His writing helps guide tough questions without leaving readers overwhelmed. That’s what makes his work perfect for retreats: it’s structured enough to lead, but open enough to let people be where they really are.
Journey Through Time
The Catholic Church and Christian Initiation
Dr. Laurence F. Aucella
Retreats help us release the noise and rediscover what faith feels like when it’s quiet.