Sophie’s Well, a center for Sacred Heart spirituality, hosted a hiking retreat in Halifax, Nova Scotia this summer. Led by Mary Frohlich, RSCJ, the retreat brought together a group of twelve women from their 20s to their 70s for a week of praying and hiking together. The group included Associates, Religious of the Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart educators and current and former members of the Anne Montgomery House Community – one of the province's welcoming communities located in Washington, D.C. The retreat took place at a beautiful cottage located on the Martins River.
“It was a transformative experience,” said Ellyn Stewart, an educator at Sacred Heart Greenwich. “Waking up each morning to the sound of the ocean and spending hours hiking in silence was soul nourishing. I learned from the RSCJ, the participants, and the land itself.”
She shared that one of her favorite parts of each day was morning prayer led by Mary Frohlich, RSCJ, during which Sister Frohlich grounded the group in the indigenous traditions of the Micmac people through song, prayers, and stories. “I also loved our nightly 'harvesting' sessions in which each person shared what they learned that day,” Ellyn said.
In addition to soaking up the beauty of the land, participants Carole Sargent, an Associate, and Erin Frances Reinhart prepared gourmet meals for the group to enjoy throughout the week.
“Some of us experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in nature,” said Carole. “I felt it more closely in the kitchen, working with my hands like my forebears, putting food (including local valley produce) on our communal table. At home in my D.C. peace community I don't cook every day. Sometimes someone else cooks. Sometimes we're all away. But on retreat I went back in time to that daily rhythm. It almost felt monastic.”
Sophie’s Well has sponsored many of the hiking retreats offered in the province over the past ten years.
