Clothed with the Sun

This is the 2015 theme.

Project Teams

First Event (July 26-August 1, 2015)

Second Event (August 9-15, 2015)

Notes for Teaching

The theme, "Clothed with the Sun", a reflection on human dignity, ties in with many of the current emphasi in the Church. The Extraordinary Synod on the Family 2014, the encyclical "Laudato sii" on care for creation, the 2015 Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September, the 2015 synod of Bishops which will carry on the reflections of the 2014 synod... and even the preparations for World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow - a return to WYD's and theology of the Body's origins and the "original" Środowisko of JPII.

Sunday

• Reflection -- Being

Goodness of creation. Why something instead of nothing?

All possibility for faith begins from the perspective of creation, createdness.

Belief in a Creator is the Judaic-Christian world view, space-time and matter have a point of beginning, have a story and have an eschatalogical end.

Belief in a Creator/ Creation is compatible with some ideas of evolution and space-time, creation (or intelligent design) is the prerequisite for scientific research (pre-requisite for belief in the intelligibility of nature).

Belief in a Creator/ Creation is NOT compatible with an "Eternal" world (the medieval criticism of Aristotle), it is not a fundamentalist perspective of creation in seven 24-hour days.

Many have criticized Pope Francis for issuing his encyclical letter on the care of creation, “Laudato sii”, saying that perhaps he would have done better to issue a letter on the Church’s teaching on gender or on the sacrament of marriage. Yet belief in creation, and respect for it, form the foundation for other themes such as human dignity.

Humans share the category of "being" with all other created entities. Respect for "being", acceptance of the given-ness of existence, and embracing a place in the story are the foundations for discovering our own very unique place in it.

• Icon: Gesso

Monday

• Reflection -- Human Nature

What is the same, the shared "ground" of human nature?

• Icon: Tracing

Tuesday

• Reflection -- Male/Female

What is different, how does complementarity impact our lives?

• "Understanding Man and Woman" - Humanum (video series prepared for the 2014 extrodinary synod on the family)

• Icon: Basic color

Wednesday

• Reflection -- Nuptiality

Chastity, tenderness, ascesis (self denial)

Ontological character of relationship

How to form right relationships.

• Icon: Shading

Thursday

• Reflection -- Making the Gift

Friendship

Accepting those given to us (family, friends, mentors, etc.).

Vocation

• Icon: Highlights

Friday

• Reflection -- Uniqueness

Same destination but every path is different

Pilgrimage

• Icon: Gloss

Saturday

Sharing

Ecclesial Art Project

See Icons.

• What icon will we write? The Anastasis

We've chosen to focus our retreat on one icon in particular to aid a shared reflection. The Anastasis shows the redemption of man and woman and focuses on the Resurrection of the body, tying in nicely with the theme. The figure of Christ in the Anastasis icon is "clothed with the sun", shining with glory, the same glory in the icon of the transfiguration.

• What is the best way to mix the paints to create the skin color? Ask Britta.

• What materials do we need?