Heaven in Kiltegan

A couple of months ago I was talking to a friend on a Wednesday evening having returned to Carlow two days earlier from the West. He made the suggestion that I head away for a few days as I wasn't in great form.  I just thought to myself "I'm just back from a couple of days in Knock, why would I head off again. "So I put his idea to the back of my mind. Then on the Friday I headed down to St Patrick's in kiltegan to see Fr Seamus,  I needed to ask him a question.  I wanted to ask him the question because of him being a priest and his counselling background.  After tea I was saying goodbye to Seamus.  When he realised that I was unemployed he invited me to come down and stay in Sli an Chroi, to get some head space, I was always welcome. As I left I thought that was really nice of him, I knew Sli an Chroi was there but that Friday evening Seamus  identified that I could do with getting away for some head space. I left Kiltegan somewhat more at peace than I was before I went down.  That night I couldn't stop thinking about the events of the week, the reason I was off form, the conversation with my friend on the Wednesday and the invite from Seamus. Two suggestions within two days,  this truely was the Lord at work,  trying to get me to take a break.  So I decided and the next morning I text Seamus and asked him if I could stay for a few days that week, a retreat.  I arrived in Sli an Chroi on the Tuesday.

I arrived in Sli an Chroi the Tuesday around 5 o clock and stayed until Friday afternoon,  to b honest by Friday I didn't want to leave. I left knowing that I am always welcome there. When I arrived I had a choice of room to stay in. There was no TV which I had expected and I was fine with the idea of no tele for a few days for I didn't go to kiltegan to watch tv. I found the tele on the Wednesday but had no desire to watch it. I  joined Seamus and the other kiltegans for tea on the Tuesday evening.  It was during tea on the Tuesday that I realised Fr Jim Cogley was coming Wednesday evening to give a talk. I thought "excellent,  the Lord truely is at work here this week. " I had never met Fr Jim but had heard of him, he made the tabernacle in UCD.

As there was no TV or radio there wasn't a lot to do during my few days in kiltegan,  well not much to distract me from why I was there. I joined the kiltegans every day at 12 for rosary and mass. I also joined them for lunch and tea every day. So even though I was down on my own I wasn't alone.  During my stay I spent some time chatting Seamus,  just general chatter. I learn so much from talking to that man, a true fontain of knowledge.  I love teasing out issues with him. The bulk of my day was spent walking the grounds of St Patrick's. I strolled around the woods. I also went down to the healing garden where I just sat hearing nothing but the steady flow of the River. It was so peaceful.  I remember going down to the garden after 11 on Thursday night.  Even though it was dark the garden still held that peaceful feel and I could have stayed there all night. I also spent some time in the chapel of sli an chroi. And I had the opportunity to go to confession too.

As I wandered in the dark one of the evenings, the Thursday I think, I realised that I was doing something very different in kiltegan.  I was present in the now, not getting bogged down with my thoughts.  Yes, thoughts of how difficult the year had been for me  and things that happened that I wished hadn't entered my head but I simply acknowledged them and let them go. The skill of been present in the now or mindfulness was something I hadn't been able to master until kiltegan.  Now it is something I try do regularly although I still need to visit kiltegan to really experience it.

So if you are looking to retreat,  get away, some head space, quit time why not visit St Patrick's in kiltegan and stay in Sli an Chroi? for more information visit www . slisophiacentre.ie. to stay won't be too expensive,  just a small donation,  whatever you can afford.  Go on, you won't be disappointed.