Are you a busy Catholic woman with little time for spiritual renewal? Check out these three (plus one) online retreats for Catholic women, all under five minutes each.
If you had told me fifteen years ago that my children would leave the house with unbrushed hair and mismatched clothes, I would have said you were crazy. Now I would say you are absolutely right: in the time warp that is my life, I never know if I’m coming or going.
This is problematic.
Two weeks ago, I had my shirt on inside out for the better part of the day. Last Thursday, I forgot to brush my teeth. On other occasions, I have been known to leave small toys in the refrigerator.
Homeschooling, wife-ing, and working from home leaves me scrambling for time and sanity.
You can imagine what my spiritual life is like.
Fortunately, there are fantastic resources out there for busy Catholic women, three of them under five minutes each. (The plus one, for Catholic married couples, is under 10). So if you’re crazy busy like I am (and I’m sure you are), set your alarm for five minutes earlier, grab a cup of coffee, and start your day with a mini-retreat.
Ignation Three Minute Retreat
Published by Loyola Press, the Three Minute Retreat is a self-paced devotional that pairs scripture, reflection, and guided prayer with beautiful images and soothing music. The retreat is text-based and can be muted without detriment. You can access the retreat from your desktop or via the mobile app, and the full retreat archives are only a click away.
2 Minutes 2 Virtue
I am blessed to reside in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Virginia. Our chancery offers 2 Minutes 2 Virtue, a YouTube-based collection of two-minute reflections and challenges by Diocesan priests, including the wonderful Fr. Paul Scalia (son of the late Supreme Court Justice, Antonin Scalia). You can sign up to have them delivered directly to your inbox, or you can view them directly on the Diocesan YouTube channel.
The Morning Offering from The Catholic Company
If text-based reflection is more your speed, sign up for The Catholic Company’s Morning Offering. Delivered to your inbox every day, the Morning Offering provides a meditation on the daily readings, stories of the saints, and the Liturgy of the Hours.
The Couples Retreat with Bishop Emeritus Paul Loverde
This is another gem from my Diocese, and it’s the only one longer than five minutes (the first retreat clocks in at 6:57). Bishop Emeritus Loverde produced this video series to help busy couples benefit from a couples’ retreat, even if they can’t get away to a traditional retreat house. It’s perfect for couples who would like to schedule an at-home date night and grow in holiness together.
We’re all busy, but the more time we give to God, the more time we find in our days. His peace fills our hearts and we are better able to face the day’s challenges with grace. Start your day with a quick online retreat. Who knows? It might not only keep your soul in order; it might even keep your toys out of the refrigerator.
A great list of resources! I find myself overlooking the Morning Offering, because I simply am not ready to read and reflect. So, thank you for providing me with ones I can simply “listen” to. I was in the Arlington Diocese (well, our family resided in that civilian diocese, while we still belong to the Archdiocese for the Military Services) I think when Bishop Emeritus Loverde came out with his online retreat for couples. I had never wanted to commit to it without reviews, so thank you! I will need to explore that, and see if my husband will be willing to join me!
Thank you for these resources!
Sure, Anni! I wish we could have met while you were up here…
So many I had not heard of before! I had dinner with two Jesuits last night, and the discussion included that it’s better to do the Ignation exercises a little bit at a time. These short versions are actually ideal!
I’m going to have to remember the couples retreat. I love things to help us grow our faith as a couple!
Wow – this is a fantastic list! I don’t think I knew about any of these!!!! Thank you Ginny!
Hello! Thank you for this wonderful list! How do you access the couples retreat? Is that on YouTube as well?
So sorry – somehow the link was deleted. It’s here – and I’ll edit the post.
https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/Marriage-and-Family/Couples-Retreat-with-Bishop/
Just now reading this post and wish I had read it sooner. Thank you so much.