Diocesan Women’s Retreat: Journey to Holiness

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Eighty women attended the “Retreat Day for Women” organised by the Diocese’s Marriage and Family Life Commission this year. Such was its popularity that it had to be run twice.

The theme, “From the Head to the Heart”, was explored through talks given by the Sisters from the Community of Our Lady of Walsingham, in the beautiful setting of their house in Dereham. Warm sunshine made the grounds an even more attractive space for quiet walks and small-group gatherings during times of reflection.

The retreat day centred on St Edith Stein (1891–1942), also known as Sr Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. A highly intelligent German Jewish philosopher, she converted to Catholicism following a profound intellectual and spiritual journey, famously prompted by reading St Teresa of Avila’s autobiography in one sitting. She later became a Carmelite nun and wrote extensively on faith, philosophy and the human person. Arrested by the Nazis because of her Jewish heritage, she was deported to Auschwitz and died in the gas chambers in 1942. She was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 1998.

Using her as a model, Sr Catherine spoke about the journey to holiness, describing it as a movement towards unity. As people grow closer to God, the different aspects of their lives – thoughts, desires, actions and relationships – become more integrated and aligned with His will. We all begin life with inner conflict or divided priorities, but we are called to grow in integrity, allowing faith to shape every part of who we are. In this way, holiness means becoming a whole and unified person, with a deep harmony between belief, purpose and action. We are called to become more like Christ, accepting and doing only and always the will of the Father. This journey of a lifetime takes a lifetime to complete.

“God expects each creature to serve Him according to its nature. The angels must love God angelically, that is without heart, sentiments, affections, for they have none of these things, But he expects us to love him humanly, that is, with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and our neighbour in the same way.” – Blessed Dom Columba Marmion

Edith Stein made a significant contribution to Catholic thought on women through her work as a philosopher, educator and Carmelite nun. In her writings, she explored what she saw as the distinctive gifts and vocation of women, while strongly advocating for their intellectual, professional and spiritual development. She believed that every person is called to become fully themselves in God, uniting intellect, emotions, body and spirit. In her view, women have a unique contribution to make in fostering authentic human relationships and building communities grounded in love and respect.

“The intrinsic value of woman consists essentially in exceptional receptivity for God’s work in the soul” she said.

In her lectures and essays, Stein argued that women possess a particular capacity for empathy, personal attentiveness and nurturing the growth of others. However, Sr Catherine noted that in order to be truly receptive to God’s work in the soul, we must purify our desires by praying for right desires and their proper ordering. This requires self-knowledge: knowing ourselves honestly and truthfully, as we really are and as God sees us.

“Most of our trials and times of unrest come from the fact that we don’t know ourselves” – St Teresa of Avila

The second half of the day focused on suffering. Sr Camilla reminded participants that we cannot reach Easter Sunday without first passing through Good Friday. She challenged the misconception that we must have everything in order before coming to God, noting that Scripture tells us otherwise: Jesus invites the broken-hearted to come to Him and reminds us that it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. God can use everything in our lives to deepen our relationship with Him, but we must surrender to His will in all circumstances. It is essential, however, that we bring our anger, hurt and pain to God in prayer; otherwise, we cannot receive the grace needed to move towards an authentic acceptance of His will.

“The fullest freedom I have ever known, the greatest sense of security, came from abandoning my will to do only the will of God.” – Fr Walter Ciszek SJ

This trust in God is a lifelong journey. We are encouraged to meditate daily on the Gospel so as to come to know the face of God – Christ Himself – and to see with the eyes of faith, discerning God’s will as it is revealed in the circumstances of everyday life.

“Knowing that we are infinity loved by God is what gets us through the cross” ended Sr Camilla. And it is this knowledge that sustained St Edith Stein through her suffering and led her to Heaven – the destination to which God calls us all.