Margaret Benson, a meditator from the UK, shares her experience of Holy Week Retreat in Bonnevaux in 2023.
Bonnevaux is a beautiful place, geographically, architecturally and best of all, spiritually. The genuine welcome and hospitality made it a real spiritual home, thanks to the resident community.
The whole week was peaceful and mindful, with people from all over the world making us all one with a worldwide community. The accommodation was simple, beautiful and functional and the food was delicious, plentiful and colourful.
I can’t forget it and I don’t want to. I will particularly remember the Palm Sunday procession with Utopia, the donkey and her colt, Murphy. We waited, cheered and sang and a few days later we were jeering as the crowd in the story of the Passion crucify him. It felt very physical, emotional.
The stations of the cross through the woods, where we participated in the prayers and carrying a small cross, was very moving. The Holy Saturday fire and procession in the darkness to the light was truly beautiful, reminiscent for me of Mary Magdalene and the disciples before dawn, going to the tomb. Father Laurence’s talks kept us focused and it was good to meet him again.
On returning home, I had to paint the place. It was so beautiful. The picture framed on my bedroom wall and I see it each morning. It reminds me that I’m part of something wonderful and so much bigger than any one individual. Together we can be powerful. Go there if you can.
Join us for Holy Week Retreat this Easter, from Bonnevaux, from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 March, led by Father Laurence Freeman.
If you’d like to share how meditation has impacted your life, share your story of change with us.
