The VITA retreat - North Vancouver

The Vita Retreat facilitates an environment for people to encounter the Spirit and reignite their lives of prayer and ministry. More information can be found here: The VITA retreat - Diocese of New Westminster

The Vita Retreat will begin on Friday March 4th, 5:30 - 9:30 pm at Saint Catherine's Church (1058 Ridgewood Drive, Edgemont, North Vancouver) and continues on Saturday March 5th, 9 am - 5:30 pm. 

It is open to all interested in enriching their spiritual life.

The overarching concept of the retreat is an expanded understanding of the spiritual practice of lectio divina. Lectio divina (holy reading) is an ancient, meditative, and devotional way to read scripture. The retreat takes the basic form of lectio and applies it to many things such as art, being in nature, music, cooking, daily tasks, relationships, and conversation – the stuff of daily life. Participants come away with a sense that prayer can be a continual activity in all aspects of their lives. Life can be lived as a prayer, and God is the one who prays within us. And the depth of conversation and community that grows is remarkable.

The retreat is now only in person at St Catherine's (all participants must show a Vaccine Passport). 

For questions about the retreat please contact Linda Robertson: lindakrobertson@shaw.ca

For questions related to registration contact Natasha Stegemann: scadmin@shaw.ca or 604 985 0666

Online registration available here: The VITA Retreat NV Registration Page

Provisional Retreat Schedule

Day 1

5:30 Dinner - Welcome and Introductions

6:45 Introduction to Lectio Divina & Small Group #1

7:45 Break

8:00 More on Lectio - Mary’s Story & Small Group #2

9:15 Compline

9:30 Closure 

Day 2

9:30 Morning Prayer

9:45 Prayer Walk

10:45 Small Group #3

11:45 Midday Prayer

Noon Lunch

12:45 Nature Walk

2:15 Lectio Divina Practice

2:30 Creative Response to Lectio

3:30 Small Group #4

5:00 Evening Prayer with Eucharist