It was held in the city of Mogi das Cruzes, the 8th Retreat for Guides “Inner Freedom”, at the Mosteiro da Encarnação das Beneditina Camaldolenses Nuns, during the weekend of July 18 to 20, 2025.
The Retreat was organized by the São Paulo North Local Coordination, which is part of the Brasil West National Coordination 2 and which belongs to the Brazil West Zone; animated by Maristella Carvalho, and coordinated by Luciana Adreani da Cruz.
During three days of silence, reflection and prayer, 41 people seek an intimate encounter with God, guided by the central theme inspired by the work “Surrendering to Peace”, by Fr. Ignacio Larrañaga. In this group we are pleased to have the presence of the international secretary Purificación Vilar Gonzalez.
The purpose of the retreat was to place for the Guides practical methods for greater interior freedom, with exterior silence to promote interior silence. A silence that does not isolate, but unites, that does not oppress, but frees. Guided by the reflections of Fr. Ignacio, we are invited to look with sincerity at our sufferings, anguish and shadows, discovering the possibilities of peace and redemption.
We leave this sacred space with deep gratitude. Let us know the certainty that, even in the midst of the dreams of life, peace is possible, a true peace, which is born from the encounter with the God who dwells in us.
We return to the outside world transformed, aware that the light we receive needs to be shared, and that the journey of faith and peace is continuous, but always possible, one step at a time, with confidence, humility and total surrender.
