Our Faith assures us that each and every person is surrounded by God’s love. But for many people in distress this assurance does not exist for them. They yearn and search for at least a minimum degree of relief from suffering. The knowledge of God’s love for them can be a ray of light in the darkness. Our hope is, “joy is possible!” The knowledge of being loved and cared for by God gives rise to the beautiful “song of joy.”

These simple prayer experiences given in this five day retreat are our way of sharing with you the discovery of the light of hope and joy that emerges from our own groaning and search in our journeys of faith. We are called upon to help to build up one another. Sharing with you is a necessity of the heart. It is our joy to give you a glimpse of the origin of joy—being surrounded by the love of God, of loving and being loved. 

I am a Daughter of St. Paul, and I will be your guide for this Joy Retreat. I have been a sister for over 53 years, a member of a wonderful community of dedicated women who spread the Gospel in the world with our lives and through the media of social communications.

This retreat on joy and hope is the fruit of much joy and suffering, and trial and consolation in my own life. As I journeyed, I often asked myself during several years of clinical depression if it was going to be possible to one day have joy again. God was with me and he led me to rediscover joy and hope in my life.

So many people in the world suffer today as they painfully seek to cope with life’s hard knocks. The reflections and meditations presented here have flowed from much time in prayer with the Word of God and before the Eucharist. They are simple and brief sharings. I offer these with love, hope and prayers that God will also tenderly touch others' hearts and grant them joy in the midst of suffering, as he has done for me and countless other seekers of hope and joy. God loves you! Yes! Joy Is Possible!  We are promised eternal joy! Let us pray for one another.