Retreats are held at this Benedictine monastery for those afflicted by abortion.
Rita, moved by feelings about her abortion that she could not understand, tried to compensate for her loss by rolling up a towel underneath her dress to give the impression that she was pregnant.
Like many women afflicted by abortion, Rita had a difficult time coming to terms with an episode in her life that she had many mixed feelings about. These women are often told by their abortion counselors — or even friends — to “get over it.”
“What they really need is to talk with a compassionate person who has dealt with such problems, and a non-judgmental group to talk it out,” says Sr. Nancy Boushey, a soft-spoken Benedictine Sister who organizes retreats at the Benedictine Monastery of the Good Shepherd in south Texas. Sister Nancy, along with Phyllis Young, who has had an abortion, directs the retreats for those affected by the aftermath of abortion. “We have seen so much healing over the past, and it is a joy to see how God works,” says Phyllis Young.
The retreat, called “Raphael’s Way: A Journey into Healing and Reconciliation,”
This retreat is open to Catholics, non-Catholics and for those who do not profess a strong religious belief.
The quiet surroundings of the monastery, located in a wilderness area just northwest of Rio Grande City, offer the kind of atmosphere needed for deep personal reflection, said Sr. Nancy.
The retreat serves those in Rio Grande City, Roma, Garceno, Rio Grande City, Santa Cruz, La Casita, Garciasville, McAllen, Brownsville, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and surrounding cities, as well as areas all over the country.
The monastery is an hour’s drive from McAllen International Airport. Suggested donation for the retreat is $135, although help with funding is available. Contact Sr. Nancy at 956-486-2680, or visit the website at http://www.starrcountybenedictines.org.
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