Nazaret Marriage Retreat in Lima: A Space for Prayer and Renewal
From September 27th to 29th, nine couples from Nazareth of the Christian Life Movement in Lima participated in a spiritual retreat at the Congregation of Mercedarian Sisters of Charity retreat house. The central theme of this retreat was the biblical verse: “I am making all things new” (Rev 21:5), which invited the couples to reflect on their married life and relationship with God.
Participants in the Nazareth retreat.
Brenda and Marco Wong, retreat participants, emphasized that the support of their sodality brothers and priests enriched their experience. “The atmosphere of service and fraternal love they created made our experience even more meaningful”.
The Retreat Experience: Renewal in Love
Enrique Azurin and María Elena Loayza, coordinators of Nazaret in Lima and married for nearly 17 years, highlighted the importance of retreats like this for spiritual strength: “It’s essential to have a personal and couple prayer space to open our hearts to the presence of the Lord Jesus, who knows us and knows what we need”.
Couples from Nazareth praying before the Eucharistic Jesus.
Married for five years, Brenda and Marco described the retreat as a time of renewal and a meeting with God. According to their testimony, “Participating in this retreat was fundamental. It marked a moment of renewal of our faith, strengthening of our love, and connection with our spiritual family”.
They also emphasized the significance of the guiding biblical verse, noting how the retreat helped calm their anxieties and questions, trusting in the divine plan. “The experience of feeling loved and the desire to love more were transformative”, they expressed.
Ana and Carlos Demichelli, married for 46 years and members of Nazaret for three decades, valued the environment of silence and prayer, which allowed them to deepen their relationship with God: “The retreat was an opportunity to share with younger couples and strengthen our commitment as spouses and our matrimonial vocation”.
Upcoming Gatherings and Activities
Enrique shared that several activities are planned for Nazareth couples in Lima, including joining the Wave of Holiness organized by the CLM in Lima, a monthly rosary, and preparations for Advent and Christmas. Additionally, another retreat is scheduled for Nazaret Piura from October 25th to 27th, where the focus will continue on deepening the marital vocation and the journey towards holiness.