On Saturday, 5th April 2025, couples gathered 8.30 am to 2.00 pm at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, New Village, for a spiritually enriching Lenten retreat hosted by the St. Anthony’s Point Fortin’s Marriage Preparation Team. The retreat, themed “Patience Perseverance and Hope….Romans 5: 1-6”, invited couples to journey together while seeking renewal and reconnection during the Lenten season.

The first session guided couples through scriptural reflection and testimonials on Romans 5:1-6, which challenged them to strengthen their faith and hope in God through difficult times. Couples were also provided with valuable tools to assist them in leaning into each other and making a TRIP – Thanksgiving, Reconciliation, Intercession, and Petition together during these times.

Couples were also led on a self-reflective journey and provided with tools to foster understanding, growth and positive communication. The sessions geared towards understanding individual needs and temperament were highlights of the retreat. Couples had the opportunity to explore these areas together, understanding their interconnection and shedding light on their partner’s behaviors. The key takeaway for couples was to embrace each other’s uniqueness since our inherent needs and world perceptions are all part of God’s design. The retreat also offered light moments between sessions, with music, refreshments and interactive exercises such as the balloon dance, which called on couples to harness skills of collaboration and perseverance.

Overall, the retreat was well received by the couples in attendance, most of whom were married for over twenty years and never attended a couple’s retreat. The sentiments shared reflected that participants felt the day was well spent as they had a wonderful opportunity to learn, reflect, and grow as individuals and partners in faith. Couples were left with renewed hearts and a shared commitment to carry the Lenten spirit of sacrifice and love into their marriages.