Event to feature ‘Reflections of Ven. Bruno Lanteri’
By Reagan Scott
LINCOLN (SNR) - The Lincoln chapter of Catholic Business Women will host an Advent retreat Dec. 7 for members of the diocese entitled, “Hope for Advent and Beyond: Reflections of Venerable Bruno Lanteri.”
The retreat will be held at the John XXIII Center in Lincoln from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m., followed by breakfast and an overview of Father Lanteri’s life and spirituality.
Sister Mary Kansier M.S., the spiritual director for Catholic Business Women, is also director of the diocesan Education Technology Office. She said that the virtue of hope was a major theme in Father Lanteri’s life, which is fitting to share during the season of Advent.
Father Lanteri was born May 12, 1759 in Cuneo, Italy. A Catholic priest whose spiritual life centered on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Father Lanteri was a powerful influence in the fight against Jansenism, a theological view that portrayed God as a harsh judge.
Sister Mary said Father Lanteri distributed books and other publications that promoted the moral theology of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, based on mercy and hope.
From 1811-1814 Father Lanteri was placed under house arrest by Napoleon, but still found ways to support Pope Pius VII, who was in exile. Following his release, Father Lanteri went on to form the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and would be declared venerable by St. Pope Paul VI in 1965.
Because he communicated through letters so often, much remains of Father Lanteri’s writings. Sister Mary said that retreat-goers will have the opportunity to spend time reflecting on his quotes and get together in small groups to share any insights that the Holy Spirit may have shared with them in prayer.
Sister Mary will also give a talk entitled “Life in the World and Hope” that will explore Father Lanteri’s writings on lay women, in the hopes that female attendees will take something away that they can apply to their daily lives.
The retreat will also include lunch and the opportunity for a question and answer session with Sister Mary.
Krista Kuenning, the administrative assistant for Catholic Business Women said that Advent is often a busy time for people, but she hopes that attendees will be able to use the event to prepare their hearts and minds for the season.
She said, “I really hope they get that time that’s needed to reflect and collect their thoughts… and realize the true meaning of what our hope is in.”
Kuenning had the opportunity to hear Sister Mary speak on Father Lanteri at a prior Catholic Business Women meeting and is excited that more people will have the opportunity to hear his message on hope.
His quote, “The one who hopes for everything, obtains everything” has been central to the messaging for the retreat.
This is the first retreat that Catholic Business Women has put on, and Kuenning would like to see every parish represented.
Catholic Business Women was formed by Mary Pat Waite in February 2007. Waite said that the purpose of the organization is to “change our world for the better.”
Meetings are held at the John XXIII Center the second Tuesday of each month and attendees have the opportunity to enjoy lunch and hear from a variety of speakers on different topics related to the faith.
Waite stressed that all women are welcome to attend, regardless of their profession or vocation.
“We know all women work, no matter where they’re at,” Waite said. “We’re all women working in the vineyard of the Lord.”
The organization’s members are committed to sharing the joy of Mary, Catholic Business Women’s patron saint, with the world, their families, and their workplaces.
Now, Waite hopes to expand that reach with the organization’s first retreat.
“It’s an investment in ourselves and in our faith, and the Lord takes care of the rest,” she said.
Those interested in attending are encouraged to register on eventbrite.com by the end of November. The retreat can be found by typing “Bruno” into the search bar.
