March 17-21, 2025

"Hope Does Not Disappoint"

About the Theme

   This year's Lenten virtual retreat will feature daily reflections from Pope Francis' proclamation of the Jubilee Year of 2025, which the pope has dedicated to a renewal of hope.  
   "Everyone knows what it is to hope," Pope Francis writes, but "uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt."  
   As Christians, the pope reminds us, our hope lies in God's word.  "Taking it as our guide, let us return to the message that the Apostle Paul wished to communicate to the Christians of Rome: Hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:5). 

About the Retreat

   A retreat is an opportunity for intentional prayer and reflection which involves taking time out of our regular routine in order to focus on the "big picture" of our lives and our relationship to God.  Our Busy Catholic's Lenten Virtual  Retreat is designed for adults, young adults, couples, families, friends and members of small faith-sharing groups who are too busy to participate in a traditional weekend or weeklong retreat outside the home.
    A Busy Catholic's Virtual Retreat is a five day retreat experience which takes place in the midst of everyday life.  During the virtual retreat the participant's time for prayer and quiet reflection takes place in their home, work, or another environment of their choosing, at whatever time of day is convenient for them.

Registration

Register for this year's Lenten Virtual Retreat here:
https://waterloocatholics.wufoo.com/forms/zryhgrf1ej3rpu/

About the Author

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. He graduated as a chemical technician and then entered the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto.  In 1958 he entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus and graduated with a degree in philosophy from the Colegio de San José in San Miguel. He was ordained on December 13, 1969 and continued his training at the University of Alcalá de Henares in Spain.  He made his final profession with the Jesuits on April 22, 1973.  Returning to Argentina, he served as Provincial of the Jesuits in that country from 1973 to 1979.  Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires in 1992 and Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.  He was created Cardinal on February 21, 2001 and was elected pope on March 13, 2013, at which time he chose the name Francis.  He is the first Jesuit and the first native of the Americas to be chosen as pope.