Recollecting, Ruminating and Enriching

 As we have said, the formators here on this pilgriamage are The Holy Spirit, Our Lady and ourselves.  If we do our part, our teachers will come to help us,  Our Lady will pray for wisdom for us and for understanding of the Divine Will.  The Holy Spirit will enlighten our hearts and shed light into the dark corners of our hearts and minds to let us see, if are prepared to put the work in.  

The method of 'study' we are embarking upon as we journey together to the Holy House is one of deep pondering, creative reflection and a sharing of the fruits of our meditations and responses.

We have summed up the stages of the process as:

Recollecting

This process involves thinking carefully over and recollecting what we have been reading in the Book of Life or in its various sources.  Prayerfully reflecting upon our reading and examining what the text is saying to us individually. Here we are especially looking at the question of vocation and calling to the lay branch.  

It may seem like a very little amount of reading to do as the Book of Life text is only around 75 pages plus appendices.  The Daily Gospel is ofen less than a chapter long.  However, its not the quantity that you read each day that counts, its the quality of reading, the time spent really thinking about what Jesus is saying to your heart and He can say a hundred things through one word!

In this way we also help evangelise our memories which become engaged in the process of prayerful reflection and responsiveness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

Ruminating 

This involves several processes, including recording your thoughts in a reflective prayer diary and ruminating upn your entries while asking God to help you go deeper into the mysteries you are trying to understand

THis rumination might also take on forms other than journalling.  These could include any kind of art or creative expression that allows you to process the responses and reactions of your heart to what God is saying, to how He is forming you, teaching and leading you through the Book of Life and the charism of COLW.

This rumination and expression is for your eyes only.  Nobody will ask to see what you've written or made as this is a sacred space for you.

Enrichment

This part of the cycle involves sharing the fruits of your contemplation. What can you give to your pilgrim partner?  What have you learned that could help another on their journey? 

Ours is a living charism and it comes alive when shared. Our senses and faculties of mind and heart become evangelised when they are awakened and used to express the things of God and especially when used to express the gifts He has placed in our hearts for one another.  In this way we build one another up both collectively and individually.

Of course, we are not here to offer one another spiritual direction or to advise one another.  Just as we are not qualified to offer to others our own prescription medicines, even if they make us feel great. We can't know the full story of another person and we will leave that to their Spritual Director.

n.b.  Each person's story is sacred and their soul is holy ground - we will never share what we have been told in confidence and we would never trample on holy ground or break the delicate plants growing in such a precious garden.  When we share together we will pray for one another, exercising discretion and kindness.  Thank you in advance for respecting this rare rule.  We want to be a very free and joyful forum of growth and peace for all of us.