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The word retreat carries a mixed message for most of us. We usually associate the word with a military retreat; a condition in which an army falls back to regroup and gather strength for renewed action. The retreat for Christians is not too different. It is a short term withdrawal from routing daily activities with their temptations, selfish thoughts, doubts and fears. In a retreat Christians put aside daily cares and take time to wholeheartedly seek God and invite God into their lives. Recognizing the value of a retreat in the Christian’s pilgrimage, the late Thomas A. Conover in 1931 established a house for retreats in Bernardsville, NJ. In 1935 the property was incorporated as St. Martin’s House, honoring St. Martin (c. 316-397) Patron Saint of France and of Soldiers. The retreat house no longer stands, but exists as a fund which may support your retreat.
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![St. Martin and the Beggar (c. 1597-99) by Domenikos Theotocopoulos [El Greco] (1541-1614).](../images/sm-small.jpg) |