The deacons of the Diocese of Birmingham, along with their wives, gathered for their annual retreat at St. Bernard Abbey, where Abbot Marcus Voss, O.S.B., served as the retreat director. The three-day retreat, held from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, welcomed sixty participants who stayed at the St. Bernard Retreat Center, with conferences conducted in the St. Bernard Byre.

The retreat began with a social on Thursday evening, and the fellowship was enjoyed by the attendees. On the following day, three conferences were presented, followed by an additional session on Saturday morning. The discussions focused on the references made about deacons in the New Testament regarding their roles and responsibilities as they are practiced in the Catholic Church today.

In addition, Abbot Voss devoted one conference to the need for daily prayer in the regular schedule of a deacon. During this conference, the abbot led the participants in the ancient prayer style called “Lectio Divina.” He said, “The prayer of ‘Lectio Divina’ seeks to receive the Word of God into our hearts so we too respond to the divine presence.”

The final conference concluded with a reflection on the sacred promises made by deacons at the time of their ordination, reinforcing their commitment to their vocation.

Throughout the retreat, participants shared meals in the Brahma Room of St. Bernard Dining Hall, providing additional opportunities for fellowship and discussion.

“It certainly was a pleasure to be with the deacons for their annual retreat,” said Abbot Voss. “In the early years of the diaconate program, I served as a member of their faculty during their formation years. I’ve known some of these deacons for a very long time, and it was most enjoyable to be with them again.”

In conclusion, the abbot remarked, “The Diocese of Birmingham often uses the facilities of St. Bernard Abbey for spiritual renewal and enrichment. We were honored to have hosted this event for the deacons of the diocese, and [we] look forward to welcoming them again in the future.”