The Redemptorists of the Vice Province of Malaysia–Singapore recently concluded their annual retreat, held from Monday, 9 March to Friday, 13 March, and facilitated by Friar David Leary OFM. The retreat gathered confreres for several days of prayer, reflection, and fraternal dialogue under the theme “Finding God in Our Place.”
Each of the eight retreat conference talks began in a reflective atmosphere with meditative music and chant, helping the confreres enter a contemplative spirit. Some of the opening prayers were taken from the chants of Margaret Rizza, including Calm Me Lord and Inpoured Spirit, which helped set the tone for quiet reflection and prayer throughout the retreat.
The first talk invited the confreres to reflect on “Where are we in time and place?” Beginning with Matthew 24:3–8, Friar David spoke about the challenging times the congregation currently faces, particularly in the context of the ongoing fusion involving the Province of Oceania and Sri Lanka. The reflection encouraged the confreres to read the signs of the times with faith and openness, recognizing that God continues to work even in uncertain moments of transition. The talk concluded with a moving poem by Artur Dron, a young Ukrainian poet, reflecting on the words of 1 Corinthians 13: “Love never fails.”
The second talk, titled “Being Gently Unprotected Before God,” was rooted in Genesis 3:8–13, 20–21, reflecting on the encounter between God, Adam, and Eve after the fall. The session explored the reactions of the first human beings when confronted by God and reflected on the vulnerability that an authentic relationship with God requires. Friar David spoke about the miracle of human relationships and the struggle often present within them. The reflection concluded with Regina Bechtle’s poem “Deep Calls to Deeper,” inviting the confreres to trust God in the deeper movements of the heart.
The third talk, “Disturbance in Silence,” began with Mark 6:31, where Jesus invites the disciples to “come away to a quiet place and rest.” Drawing on reflections from Timothy Radcliffe and Łukasz Popko in their book Questioning God, Friar David explored how God often speaks through the disturbances of our emotions, questions, and life experiences. Rather than avoiding these inner movements, the confreres were invited to recognize them as possible places where God is quietly at work.
The fourth talk turned to the theme of prayer and the importance of creative silence, beginning with Matthew 6:5–7. A key idea introduced was the concept of, “filibuster,” understood as delaying tactics that prevent genuine engagement with God. Friar David described two dimensions of this reality: the human filibuster, where people avoid facing deeper truths within themselves, and the divine filibuster, where God patiently works through time to bring about transformation. The reflection concluded with the prayerful words of Psalm 139, which beautifully expresses the inescapable presence of God.
The fifth talk, titled “Filibusters and Change,” continued this reflection by exploring how dialogue with God can lead to transformation. Beginning with Isaiah 1:18–20 and John 4:7–9, Friar David placed the reflection within the context of Lent and the troubled realities of the world today. He introduced the Hebrew word “yakah,” explaining that it does not simply mean arguing in a modern sense, but rather a dialogue between two persons seeking truth and the common good. This opened the way for a meaningful conversation among the confreres about their fears, anxieties, challenges, and hopes as they face the future of the Vice Province. The sharing that followed was sincere and heartfelt, as many confreres spoke openly about the realities they carry and the call to embrace new paths ahead.
A particularly moving moment during the retreat took place on the third day when the confreres participated in a special healing service. Through a simple liturgy, they were invited to seek healing from God and reconciliation with one another. This moment allowed the retreat to become not only a time of reflection but also a grace-filled experience of renewal.
The sixth talk, delivered on the fourth day of the retreat, reflected on the parable of the Prodigal Son. The reflection sparked lively discussion among the confreres. One insight compared the Province of Oceania to the father in the parable, while the Vice Province of Malaysia–Singapore was likened to the elder son. Although the father reassures the elder son, saying, “All that I have is yours,” the elder son still discerns as to enter the feast of the father. This image became a powerful point of reflection as confreres considered their own readiness to embrace new realities and relationships. During this session, Friar David also shared personally about his own journey of discovering God not only in sacred places such as the sanctuary but also in everyday life and within his own heart.
The seventh talk, titled “Who Am I?”, turned inward and reflected on the search for the authentic self and the common good. Beginning with the well-known words of Pope Francis, “Who am I to judge?,” the reflection drew inspiration from the wisdom of the Desert Fathers. Friar David spoke about how people today often feel beset by inner struggles and conflicting emotions, and emphasized the importance of honest self-awareness, humility, and compassion. The confreres were encouraged to avoid gossip, to acknowledge their struggles honestly, and to cultivate a deeper desire to love and to become people of love. The session concluded with reflections inspired by Pope Leo’s Lenten message for 2026.
The eighth and concluding talk brought together the key insights of the retreat under the central theme “Finding God in Our Place.” Friar David reminded the confreres that God meets them not only in extraordinary spiritual moments but also within the ordinary realities of their vocation, community life, and mission.
The retreat concluded on a hopeful and positive note as confreres shared their experiences, commitments, and hopes for the future. Though this annual retreat might well be the last one as a vice province before the beginning of the fusion, it provided a much-needed pause for the confreres of Malaysia–Singapore to come together in prayer, reflection, and honest sharing of their realities as they continue their missionary service now with a bigger ocean of province beyond Oceania.
During the retreat, the community also warmly welcomed Fr. Avel from Indonesia, who has arrived in the Vice Province for his missionary assignment.
Fr. Antony Prabhu, CSsR.
