Diving Deeper into Prayer

On Saturday, February 7, 25 young adults gathered at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center for a day focused on praying with Scripture and going deeper into their hearts with Christ. Led by Fr. James Vasquez, Vocations Director, and Siobhan O’Connor, Director of Young Adult Ministry, this first retreat in a series was inspired by several young adults seeking deeper prayer lives and by a similar retreat series offered in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
 
The day began with Mass in the retreat center chapel at Our Lady of Corpus Christi and then moved to Café Veritas for the talks and lunch.  
 
A major focus was learning different ways to encounter the Lord, including the ancient practice of “lectio divina” and Ignatian meditation and contemplation. Drawing on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, and the wisdom of saints such as Teresa of Avila, the experience fostered a sense of shared community among all participants.
 
Ayleen Rodriguez, a young adult who attends St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles Parish, reflected: “Stepping away from my daily routine to spend a day entirely focused on the Lord was deeply restoring for my soul…Through Sacred Scripture and the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, I was drawn into a deeper spirit of prayer that helped me grow in relationship with Christ and encounter him more intentionally.”
 
Tim Aleman, from Most Precious Blood Parish, shared with the group that he was having a hard time understanding God's mercy after being away from the Church for some time. He chose Isaiah 42 for his lectio divina prayer. “I didn’t really get much from it at first, so I started writing it down,” he says. “My pen ran out of ink when I was writing ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you,’ and it was the first time I felt like I heard God’s voice. This retreat really helped me strengthen my faith, but most importantly, accept the endless mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
 
Andres Perez, who attends St. John the Baptist Parish, was moved by the passage from Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world." He shared, “I was invited to surrender – to truly desire God’s will for my life with prudence, courage and above all with the deep humility that radiates from the heart of our Blessed Mother.  
 
The retreat leaders provided space for clarity and encounter. “If you are searching to discover who you truly are, know this: God has already opened the door. The light is already within you. All that remains is your first step forward.”
 
The next retreat, Discovering God’s Voice, will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Schoenstatt Lamar Shrine in Rockport. The final retreat: Discerning God’s Will, is on Saturday, April 11, at Pax Christi Retreat Center in Calallen.  
 
All registration details are available at: diocesecc.org/yaseries