Rosary Retreat

The purpose of this retreat is to use the Rosary as a prompt and guide for healing the wounds of abuse in individuals, our Church, and in our community. Jesus and Mary suffer with us, and their example can help us turn our wounds into spiritual growth.

Rosary Retreat with clergy abuse survivor and former Benedictine Nun, Elizabeth Goeke

Saturday, December 5, 2009

9 AM to 4 PM

Ascension Catholic Church

7507 SE Yamhill

Portland, OR 97212

contact: Virginia Jones at compassion500@gmail.com

The Sorrowful Mystery of The Crucifixion: Jesus, for love of me You endured three hours of torture on the Cross and gave up Your Spirit; grant me the grace of final perseverance.

Virginia’s meditation: God you gave me the torture of being sexually abused at age four and raped at age 22. Help me persevere through my losses, my broken relationships, my chronic depression, my low self esteem to work on coping skills and healing myself through prayer and service to others until I find healing.

Virginia’s questions: Sometimes God gives us terrible burdens to carry. Can we endure and struggle towards healing? As we endure suffering, do we ever find that we are stronger and more powerful and more spiritual than we ever imagined?

The Glorious Mysteries of the Resurrection: Jesus, You rose form the dead in triumph and remained for forty days with your disciples, instructing and encouraging them; increase my faith.

Virginia’s meditation: Spiritual and emotional healing is possible for survivors of abuse. Sometimes it takes much work and many years, but it is possible. if I keep on trying to learn new coping skills, if I work on spiritual healing through prayer and mediation and retreats, if I go through therapy, I may be able to follow in the footsteps of those survivors who have also found a measure of healing. I do not need to remain trapped in despair. With Jesus as my guide and my instructor, I can heal.