Jesuits’ retreat for Ireland’s doctors

June 5, 2012 in 2009

A retreat specially designed for doctors will take place at Manresa Jesuit Centre for Spirituality,Clontarf, Dublin 3. The weekend follows on from previous successful retreats in Manresa for other professional groups. “We had a weekend for teachers and one for lawyers and the feedback was great. Many said they went away with a real charge of energy, physically rested and spiritually renewed.

One lawyer said it was a real relief to be with other lawyers who were like himself  feeling the need for some  sort of spiritual support.” said Fr Leon Ó Giolláin SJ,one of the spiritual directors on the retreat team. “So the word got out and we had a few calls from doctors asking for something similar but tailored toward them”

The weekend will consist of short inputs on themes centering around the role of being a doctor with periods for silent prayer, guided meditation and some group sharing. Spiritual directors and counselors will be available for anyone who might want spiritual guidance or just a confidential talk.

According to Jesuit Conall O’Cuinn, “A doctor’s job can be very rewarding but its well known just how stressful it can be too. The doctor is often the first port of call for people who are suffering from much more that just a physical illness and doctors nowadays have to be much than just a good illness detector! So the job is very demanding of the whole person and doctors who are mindful and caring of their patients – telling them to get a break and stress out are often not so good at doing the same for themselves.”

It’s hoped that the weekend of prayer and reflection will help some doctors do just that in quiet surroundings with beautiful garden walks close by the sea.

Other retreats in a similar vein are in the pipeline – including one for journalists.