The first 3-day retreat for 2024 (6-8 February) was held at the HolyCross Centre in Templestowe, Melbourne, under the spiritual direction of our Magistral Chaplain, Very Rev Dr Kevin Lenehan, BA, MTheol, STL, STD, PhD, who is Master of Studies at the Catholic Theological College in Melbourne.

Seventeen members took parts in Fr Lenehan’s exposition of the Book of Psalms. These 150 poems and songs are divided in the Torah into 5 books that date from 537 BC to 300 BC, and were the prayers prayed by Jesus and his disciples. They range from hymns of praise, wisdom, and thanksgiving to laments of sorrow or supplication, and royal psalms from the era of Kind David. They are messianic in nature and Jesus taught his apostles how they were fulfilled through him.

Thus, they became part of the prayer of the early Church and form the heart of the Divine Office prayed by the universal Church. Beyond learning about the overall structure that conforms to semitic thinking, several psalms were studied in detail to better understand the context of the different themes they address. Each has a meaning that can be found in the world today, and importantly reflect ways in which the prophets were fulfilled through Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The retreat proved immensely helpful to members of the Order learning to pray the Book of Hours. Retreatants were blessed with comfortable summer weather, an idyllic setting, full access to the sacraments and a beautiful retreat experience.

The Subpriory of The Immaculate Conception is a spiritual community within the Australian Association of the Order of Malta. The Subpriory assists its members in deepening their spiritual life and in striving to be an example to other members in practising the charisms of our Order (tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum). Historically two annual retreats are held each year (a summer retreat in Melbourne and a winter retreat in Sydney), however further retreats in Adelaide, New Zealand and Brisbane are being planned in 2024 to allow more members and candidates of the Order of Malta, the opportunity to spend more time in prayer and contemplation to deepen their relationship with God.