"We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature--trees, flowers, grass--grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.

These words of wisdom by Mother Teresa become a first-hand experience for Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15th. Students, professors, staff and Board members gathered for OLSWA’s third annual Day of Recollection. This much-loved event is an opportunity for students to step back from the rush of beginning a new academic year to ground themselves once again in God.

Academy students enjoy a game of impromptu Ultimate Frisbee

The event was held in the beautiful natural setting of Bucze Campground in Kaszuby. Once the group assembled in the main building, which was to be the hub of activity for the day, they were greeted by Deacon Robert Probert, who introduced the Chair of the OLSWA Board of Directors, Mr. Richard Sauro, and Academy President Dr. Keith Cassidy. They encouraged the attendees to take advantage of the day’s opportunity for prayer and reflection. They assured all present that it would benefit them both in their spiritual and practical lives.

The spiritual portion of the day began with a short session on Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) with Deacon Probert, who instructed the group in the traditional practice of using Scripture readings as a focus for meditation, prayer, and renewal. After this, the Holy Mass was celebrated by OLSWA chaplain Father Paul Burchat. He preached an inspiring homily on the role of the Blessed Virgin in our lives. By the time Mass concluded all were ready for lunch, a welcome time for socializing. Conversation came to an end, however, at 1:00, which marked the beginning of a three-and-a-half-hour silence. As Father Paul reminded the participants, only silence in our lives can bring us to true intimacy with God. The afternoon began with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which remained in the main building for adoration until supper time. Father Paul and his brother priest, Father Murray Kuemper of Madonna House, offered the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the afternoon. The participants also took the opportunity for spiritual reading and contemplation. Many found space to be alone with God on the lovely grounds of the camp, wandering among the trees or sitting by the stillness of the lake.

Midway through the afternoon Father Paul delivered a talk on the theme of the day, “Making the Faith Your Own”. This subject was especially directed at the students, many of whom are living away from home for the first time. Father Paul stressed the importance of loving God and living a Catholic life of one’s own free will. The choice to claim the Faith and live it fully when there is no one to force one to do so is one of the greatest signs of maturity, he told the students.

The period of Eucharistic exposition concluded with Benediction. Then Professor Michael Schintgen led the group in Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. The silence having ended, the time came for fun and enjoyment of one another’s company. After a tasty barbecue dinner, many students joined in an impromptu game of soccer or Ultimate Frisbee. Others gathered round the fire pit for s’mores and fellowship. As the sun sank and darkness spread, the group’s musical talents were put to good use in a campfire sing-along that lasted for three hours. It had been a most rewarding day.