“These many beautiful days cannot be lived again…” These words by Daniel Berrigan are my words as I take leave of Loyola Spirituality Center.
After I finished clearing my office and all other locations that held my material, I decided to return to Loyola to pray and bless this sacred space. Outside Loyola, the roses were in full bloom, and a monarch butterfly was flitting around before landing and then feasting on a flower. I smiled, then entered Loyola, and went to my office. Sitting there, I looked over to the chair where others came to share their sacred journey with me and I offered blessings. After a while, I walked down the corridors and blessed the halls and rooms throughout Loyola, recalling staff and others who shared this sacred space for so many years. Finally, as I left Loyola and closed the front door, I turned and placed my hand on it, recalling the day I first came to Loyola thirty years ago. I paused and blessed this entry door where many passed its threshold. Now, stepping back, I looked at Loyola’s building and offered a final blessing to this sacred place and its holy ground.
Someone defined Contemplation as seeing (beholding) and being changed by what I see (behold). Being a Spiritual Director and a Retreat Guide is a contemplative ministry for me. Now, as I take leave of Loyola, I am deeply grateful for these years of ministry and I realize I’ve been changed and I can never be the same.
“These many beautiful days cannot be lived again but they are compounded in my own flesh and spirit, and I take them in full measure toward whatever lies ahead.” (Daniel Berrigan)
