Ecclesia Domestica men’s retreat convenes in Hankinson

More than eighty men gathered at the Franciscan Retreat and Conference Center in Hankinson on March 12–14 for a retreat to explore the Church as a refuge in these difficult times.

Coming from the Dioceses of Fargo, Crookston, St. Cloud, and Sioux Falls, plus the Archdioceses of St. Paul/Minneapolis and Chicago, the men heard about obedience as a virtue from Father Jayson Miller, Director of Liturgy and Priest Secretary to the Bishop of Fargo. In his Saturday morning keynote, Father Miller explained what obedience is and what it is not, especially considering Aquinas, holy scripture, and modern-day saints.

“Obedience is the most praiseworthy of the moral virtues, since by it, we give to God what is our greatest possession: our own will,” he said.

Father Peter Anderl, pastor of St. Boniface Church in Lidgerwood, reviewed fatherhood, manly example, and responsible family leadership from the perspective of St. Joseph.

Other testimonies were presented by Ecclesia Domestica (“church in the home”) laymen from the St. Cloud Diocese. Ecclesia member Luke Waltman made a passionate plea, calling men to pray the Rosary daily. He outlined the fruits obtained when men establish this habit personally and in their families. Ecclesia president Kevin Olson called those present to “stand their post” in family and in parishes.

“We are in a spiritual battle against a culture that would destroy what we believe in,” Olson said. “We cannot send the delicate to the front lines. Pick up the sword of the spirit real men are called for!”

Informal small group sessions were interspersed with these talks, where retreatants informally explored in more depth the presentations they were hearing. In addition, each man participated in an hour of private spiritual direction with one of the dozen or so priests and deacons who attended.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated each day of the retreat. Exposition and adoration were available throughout each night, and the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy were prayed each day. On the last evening, the men’s urgent personal needs were addressed through prayer ministry.

Father Anderl was impressed with the events of these three days.

“This was a time of fraternal bonding such as I have seldom seen. Men who hardly knew each other on Friday morning were opening up and sharing, which indicates substantial spiritual growth. As a result, we saw deep, deep healing among these men. There was freedom to love God with an undivided heart.”

A follow-up men’s retreat with Ecclesia Domestica has tentatively been scheduled for March 18–20, 2022.