2024 Maryland / Washington, DC Life-Giving Wounds Retreat
ABOUT THE RETREAT
Come experience the in-person Life-Giving Wounds retreat, run by our founding Washington, D.C. chapter. The Life-Giving Wounds retreat is a three-day retreat for adults with divorced or separated parents. It invites participants to move through the broken image of love that appeared to them in their parents’ relationship to their deepest identity found in God. The retreat gives participants a greater understanding of the wound of divorce and the ways it affects their lives, offers advice about the difficulties concerning love and trust of others, and explains how the Catholic faith, spiritual practices, and the Sacraments are essential to self-knowledge and healing.
Topics covered include:
Grief, Loneliness, and the Wound of Silence
Finding Our Deepest Identity
Faith and Our Relationship with God
Love, Dating, and the Sacrament of Marriage
Emotional Challenges and Virtue, including navigating Anger and Anxiety
False Guilt and Shame
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Family Boundaries
The Christian Meaning of Suffering
Healing and the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist
And more!
RETREAT TEAM
The retreat will be led by our national chaplain, Fr. Mario Majano, board member and pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Clinton, MD, Fr. Dan Leary; our DC Chapter Coordinator Lacy Prebula; and others from our national team and founding chapter.
LOCATION, SCHEDULE, COST, & OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Where? The retreat will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 8908 Old Branch Ave, Clinton, MD 20735 (map it!)
When? The retreat begins on Friday, May 24 at 7:00 P.M. and ends on Sunday, May 26 at 3:30 P.M.
How much? Registration rate is $175 for adults ages 26+ and $100 for adults ages 18-25 (lodging is an additional cost; see below). Both rates include several meals, printed retreat guide, journal, and all extra printed materials.
Need lodging? Lodging is available for purchase at Marriott TownePlace Suites Clinton, which is only 5 minutes from the Church. (We’re also working on trying to get a group rate, so email us at info@lifegivingwounds.org if you’d like to be included and notified about the group rate.)
***Must be 18 or older to attend.*** Limited spots available.
Need a scholarship? Please email info@lifegivingwounds.org. We never want anyone to not attend simply because of financial reasons.
Other questions? See our FAQs below and if you still have a question, then please contact us at info@lifegivingwounds.org.
FAQs
What is the cancellation policy?
Your full registration fee will be refunded if you cancel up to one month before the retreat starts. Refunds for this upcoming retreat will not be allowed if a registrant cancels after May 1, 2024 (unless someone from a waitlist can take your spot).
Who should attend the retreat?
We realize that everyone’s story of divorce or separation is unique. We believe – and we have seen – that the retreat has something to offer everyone who has experienced their parents’ divorce or separation, no matter when it happened or the particular circumstances involved. The retreat is also for those whose parents received a declaration of nullity (annulment) or whose parents never married (and are no longer together). Also, children from high-conflict marriages have found the retreat fruitful.
We are also aware that participants come on this retreat at very different places in their spiritual and healing journeys. The retreat leaders aim to accompany everyone with kindness and compassion, but it’s important to discern prior to going on retreat whether you’re at a healthy place to closely examine the wounds and sadness caused by your parents’ divorce or separation. For those currently working with a counselor or therapist, we recommend asking their professional opinion before registering for the retreat.
Want more information about what to expect on the retreat?
Please visit this page here about our retreats that gives much more detail.
What have past participants said about the retreat?
Check out some written testimonials here.
Watch video testimonials here.
Is psychological counseling offered? Or do you have more questions about our ministry and our approach to healing?
Please see our FAQs about our ministry on our “Learn about Our Work” page (just scroll to the bottom) for a detailed response to this question. But to summarize: while we seek to integrate sound psychological principles into our programs, none of our programs offer professional psychological counseling. Instead, the Life-Giving Wounds ministry offers a specific, peer-to-peer, spiritual, and Catholic approach to assist you in healing your wounds and growing in virtue, which we believe complements formal psychological counseling and therapy should you choose those avenues of healing. To understand our unique, peer-based approach and how it is distinguished from and complements other approaches, then please see the above referenced FAQs. There is also often a counselor present on the retreat weekend for one-on-one’s with the participants, but this is not the same as professional therapy. The presence of a counselor is just for any psychological questions or issues that may arise that the participants want to discuss further with a counselor.
P.S. HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!
Bulletin “blurb”:
Life-Giving Wounds Healing Retreat for Adult Children of Divorced or Separated Parents
The Life-Giving Wounds retreat is a three-day healing retreat for young adults and adults whose parents have divorced or separated. The retreat includes live music throughout the weekend, presentations by trained retreat leaders and experts; guided small group discussions with peers; silent journaling sessions; prayer and the Sacraments; and more. It will take place on May 24-26 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Clinton, Maryland. Registration is $175 for adults ages 26+ or $100 for adults ages 18-25. Cost includes meals, a retreat guide, and a journal. All info and registration at www.lifegivingwounds.org/marylandretreat2024