November 19th marks the Feast Day of the Sisters of the Christian Retreat.
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Christian Retreat was founded in Eastern France by Father Anthony Receveur (1750-1804). Fr. Anthony’s life was spent in the shadow of the French Revolution. It was a time of huge social upheaval and transition much like the 21st century and with the dissolution of familiar structures people were thirsty for truth. Fr Anthony dedicated his life to bringing God’s living water to the people of his day. His vision was radical because he invited all people – not just priests and religious – to deepen their prayer life through making retreats, providing a rule of life that included daily prayer and meditation. With the help of families, he built a retreat house in Fontenelles, France where he led large numbers of people in retreat which transformed their lives. In founding the congregation Fr Anthony was empowering each Christian to live a meaningful life. The name of the congregation expressed the aim of their founder: to bring people, who had drifted away from religion back to God through reflection, prayer and retreat.
On November 19th we celebrate Fr Anthony and The Congregation of the Sisters of the Christian Retreat.