Students in the Options Program at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly attended a day retreat at the San Damiano Retreat Center in White Post Oct. 19, in what organizers believe to be the first retreat of its kind in the diocese.
Retreat master Father John Riley led the day, which took its theme from the Peace Prayer often associated with St. Francis of Assisi: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
In the chapel, he told the students how God spoke to St. Francis through the crucifix at San Damiano: “Rebuild my church, for it is falling down.” He also shared how St. Francis told his brothers, “Let us not forget, we are the littlest brothers, the least of all. We shall be called Friars Minor.”
Like St. Francis, Father Riley helped students find Jesus through prayer and nature. He celebrated Mass and led the students on a walk through the retreat center grounds, stopping at the statue of the Resurrection for a reflection.
Adam J. Bigbee, dean of exceptional learning at St. Paul VI, reflected on what it means to be an instrument of peace. He told the story of the fierce wolf of Gubbio from Tomie dePaola’s book “Brother Francis, Assisi.” The wolf attacked the townspeople until St. Francis went out to meet it and said, “Come here, Brother Wolf, in the name of the Lord.” The wolf lay down like a lamb and became the town’s friend. “When you do anything in the name of the Lord, be not afraid,” Bigbee told the students. “You will have the peace of God.”
Kathleen Leffas, PVI’s gift of human love teacher, spoke about how St. Francis created the first living Nativity scene to remind people of Jesus’ humble birth. Each student then carried a figure from a Nativity set to the steps of the tabernacle.
Roxanne Miller, a cognitive practitioner and PVI parent, invited the students to share what came to them during a few minutes of quiet prayer with Jesus, which they did:
“I think of how I can be kind to others.”
“I am thankful for the people in my life, and for God to keep us safe.”
“When I quiet my heart, I feel close to God.”
“When I am alone with God, I feel closer to Him.”
“When I am alone with God, I can pray.”
“I think about how I can become a better person and listen to God.”
Their words show that these young people are already becoming instruments of God’s peace. As St. Francis would, we are all invited to embrace a spirit of holy littleness, taking our place simply as lesser brothers and sisters to all of creation.
