Lenten Journey with the Apostolic Preferences for Young Adults
by Sindy Collazo
Recently, young adults from Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Richmond, Virginia, participated in the program Lenten Journey with the Apostolic Preferences for Young Adults. This journey began on February 24 and concluded on Saturday, March 28, following a process that included four weekly hybrid sessions and culminated in an in-person retreat at the Roslyn Retreat Center.
The young adults who participated in the “Walking with Creation” experience expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to encounter God through nature. In their final reflections, they shared how this experience awakened in them a desire to learn more about Ignatian spirituality.
Silence during the walk was one of the most meaningful aspects. Many recognized that their lives are filled with both external and internal noise, and that this experience offered them a much-needed sense of rest. Some arrived at the retreat feeling skeptical, unsure of how a silent walk could help them connect with God. However, they discovered that God is present in all things, and that even small changes can make a real impact in caring for our common home.
Among the concrete commitments that emerged:
“Henry decided to use a reusable water bottle to avoid single-use plastics.”
“Liz committed to taking shorter showers to conserve water and energy.”
“Patricio will be more mindful at work about how materials are used and wasted.”
“Rodrigo will pay closer attention to his grocery shopping to reduce food waste.”
“Adrián will reduce the use of plastics in his home.”
“Marely, recognizing the amount of water used in caring for her long hair, committed to adopting habits such as turning off the water while applying shampoo and using alternatives like dry shampoo.”
At the end of the walk, the young adults were filled with joy and hope. They even asked to listen to music that connected them with the desire to care for creation and to be agents of positive change. Without realizing it, they were also building community, strengthening their sense of belonging to the SHIYA group (Sacred Heart Ignatius Young Adult) at the parish.
This journey does not end here. Many of these young adults will continue deepening their understanding of Ignatian spirituality by participating in the retreat “Listening to God as Ignatius Did,” taking another step forward in their faith journey.
This experience is a sign of hope and a reminder that, in the simple and the everyday, God continues to call and transform hearts. May God bless you, and see you soon!
As part of this experience, we received the following from a participant:
“Thank you for all your support for our Sacred Heart youth!”
