It All Began back in 1996

Details: 15 February 2013

1996 was a very good year because in November of that year the spiritual process known as SINE (Systematic Integral New Evangelization) was introduced in the Lincoln Diocese. It had originated in Mexico City around 1960. A team from Rockford, Ill. was invited to lead a SINE retreat for 60 priests and laity at Pius X High School in Lincoln.

The spiritual impact of the retreat was astounding, leaving the participants with the desire to learn more about this process that begins with a retreat and has as its goal the strengthening of individual spirituality and parish life.

With Bishop Bruskewitz’s blessing, the SINE process and retreats began to spread across the diocese. In the course of several years, more than 70 parishes sponsored retreats led by trained leaders from the Lincoln Diocese. More than 5,000 people across southern Nebraska have taken part in these retreats.

Several years ago, the title of the process was changed from SINE to Light of the World (LOTW) in order to enable it more effectively to fit the culture of the United States. However, the basic format and teachings of the process remained unchanged. A team, including one member from Lincoln, is presenting a LOTW retreat this month to seminarians at the North American College in Rome, one of whom is studying for our diocese.

What is a Light of the World retreat? The handbook describes it thus: "The Light of the World process will help all people to have a living encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit… This process reaches out to all people and helps them to become active servants of God." The retreat begins on Friday evening and concludes Sunday evening. Participants return home each night.

The teachings presented in a LOTW retreat hold steadfastly to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. Special emphasis is placed on a renewal of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. Those who participate in the retreat have an opportunity after the retreat to join a small community designed to enable them to maintain a deep relationship with the Lord, the Body of Christ, the Church and their own parish.

The number of LOTW retreats in the diocese has decreased somewhat in recent years, but retreats in various parishes are still being held. Some of the recent interest is due to Pope Benedict’s declaration of this Year of Faith. In his Apostolic Letter he states: "I have spoken of the need to rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ… This will be a good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith… A Christian may never think of belief as a private act. Faith is choosing to stand with the Lord so as to live with him."

I humbly suggest that the LOTW process, and especially the retreat, fulfills beautifully the opportunity for the renewal of our faith during this Year of Faith. If you feel in your heart the need to do something to make your faith come more alive within you, I suggest you consider making a LOTW retreat. Contact the Diocesan Office of Evangelization, 402-488-2040, for further information.