Bishop Curlin Preaches the Annual Retreat
September 19th, 2009
Bishop William Curlin, retired bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, came to Mepkin to lead our annual retreat. Armed with powerful stories from his years of pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, his close association with Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and his ministry as the bishop of Raleigh, he wove the stories into a series of talks which emphasized the importance of living a life of faith in Jesus. Stressing that we must revolutionize ourselves before we can ask another to change, he reminded us that we are daily being called into the mystery Jesus’ dying and rising. Each monk by his hidden life of constant prayer in behalf of others, of the Church, for all humanity, is one with the Lord in his saving work.
It was the men in formation who, after attending several days of classes on canon law pertaining to religious led by Sr. Jeanne Margaret, and meeting the bishop as a presenter, recommended Bishop Curlin to the abbot to lead our annual retreat. It has been a rich time of faith and hope for the community.