From today, St Dominic’s Priory is a little quieter, with five friars leaving for Berry NSW to begin their annual retreat.  Over six days, the Master of Students, Fr Anthony Walsh, O.P., will give conferences to Brothers Tani and Henry, Martin and Patrick. The theme of the retreat centres on religious formation with the letters of St Paul.

Our friars, as all religious, make an annual retreat. Brothers Patrick and Henry are preparing to renew their simple vows. But for Brother Tani, who made solemn profession earlier this year, this retreat is a special time of preparation for holy orders. All being well, Br Tani will be ordained deacon at St Dominic’s on 10 December.

“I’m really excited about ordination,” said Br Tani. “The retreat is a welcome opportunity to focus on our spiritual life as Dominicans. I hope to be confirmed in the priestly vocation by preparing for ordination as a deacon on this retreat.”

The friars are staying at the former Josephite convent in Berry NSW. Local residents say that St Mary of the Cross spent one night there, and keep in the next door Church a simple cross made from two floorboards of the house she stayed in.