Seton Hall's Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology and the Center of Prayerfully Speaking will host the Advent Day Eyewitnesses to His Majesty Retreat on Saturday, at Lewis Hall to instill holiday cheer on campus.
Widely known as "those four weeks before Christmas," Advent can be overshadowed by Black Friday door busters and Christmas Day for many people. Similar to the Christian season of Lent, Advent, meaning "coming," is a liturgical season when the faithful are called to prepare themselves for the birth of Christ and celebrate the true holiday spirit.
As the first of four Sundays before Christmas day, this year Advent begins on Sunday.
The presentations will be given from the perspective of graduate students in the spiritual theology and public speaking class. This course allows students to apply what they have learned from studying theology and pastoral ministry to a real-life event such as the retreat.
"Giving a public retreat is the final project for the students in our graduate-level course," adjunct professor of pastoral theology and co-founder and director of the Center for Prayerfully Speaking Diane M. Carr said.
The course and retreat are both in their fourth year and attract seminarians, permanent deacons, religious and lay students alike.
"The lay students come from all walks of life and usually are either professionally employed in church ministry or actively involved as volunteers in ministries in their parishes," Carr said.
This year's retreat presenters include professions such as a property manager, corporate executive, college educators, career consultant, hospice social worker and parish ministers.
"The students have created an inspiring Advent retreat focusing on the transformational experience that occurs when we truly encounter Jesus Christ," Carr said. "Retreat participants will enjoy talks and spend time in prayer, discovering how encountering the majesty of God can transform their lives this Advent."
Eyewitnesses to His Majesty will be presented from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The registration fee is $15 and includes both continental breakfast and lunch. To register, contact Kristine Hudak at 973-761-9633 or Kristine.hudak@shu.edu.
Christopher Adams can be reached at christopher.adams@student.shu.edu
