A successful Sacred Space retreat

The online prayer platform Sacred Space concluded their popular annual Lenten retreat for 2025» on Easter Monday 21 April 2025. The retreat shared the same theme as the 2025 Jubilee Year, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ in which Pope Francis has asked us to “Fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and to help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”

Ciara Ó Catháin, office Administrator and Content Editor of Sacred Space, has written an article of reflection on the retreat. Read the full piece below.

Sacred Space Lent Retreat 2025

This year’s Sacred Space Lent Retreat was guided by the inspiring theme Pilgrims of Hope. At the beginning of the Church year, Pope Francis encouraged us all to “fan the flame of hope that has been given to us, and to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision”. With his recent passing, these words – and this theme – have taken on even deeper meaning. Reflecting on hope during his final year makes this retreat feel all the more sacred and significant.

Throughout Lent, we turned to Luke’s Gospel to pray with Scripture, and explored how hope can be a living part of our daily lives. In a time marked with global conflict and uncertainty, hope becomes an Oasis in a parched desert – a gift we are all deeply in need of.

We used St. Patrick’s Breastplate each day as a closing prayer and this helped ground us to know that God is all around us and within us no matter what the situation or circumstance.

We were called to pray for hope every day. No matter how desperate a situation feels, no matter how much we despair we feel, no matter how difficult times are – and we were asked would we see a difference in our lives if we prayed for hope on a daily basis. I believe many people have seen a change in their thinking which can foster the hope we are called to in Christ Jesus.

What made this Retreat especially powerful was the sense of unity it fostered. Thousands of Participants from around the world journeyed through Lent together, each in their own language, yet united in spirit. Thanks to our dedicated translation team, the retreat was accessible to many who otherwise might not have been able to take part.

In walking this path as pilgrims of hope, we were reminded that hope is not only a comfort but also a calling – to live with trust, courage, and vision, no matter what the world may bring.

We received a lot of positive feedback as you will see from the testimonials below:

Testimonials Regarding the Lent Retreat:

“Hello, I just wanted to say that this year’s Lenten guide is really wonderful, I am very much enjoying it. I love the added Fellow Pilgrim saints and religious quotes at the end and would love to see Saint Patrick’s Lorica kept year round!”

“I love your online retreats, and have been following the Lenten retreat daily. Thank you so much for providing these beautiful retreats.”

“I have been using your app for several years and have deepened my faith I went through Lent – all 40 days- reflecting as you suggested. I now feel a deep love from and for Jesus. Thank you.