June 9th – 12th, 2023
I want to, if you allow Me, make you a reflection of the Eternal Light
so that when you meet God you would look like an untarnished mirror of God’s active power
and an image of His Holiness and His Goodness; (TLIG Message, April 22, 1990)
Nine years after the previous retreat in Sweden, the Sweden- True Life in God Association, with the assistance of some members from the Association of True Life in God Denmark, was happy to organize a retreat in the beautiful city of Vadstena, as they had done in 2014. The retreat took place from June 9th (arrival day) until June 12th (departure day), 2023, and the pilgrims lodged at the same premises as in 2014, at Vadstena Folk Högskola, a high school boarding unit which is situated on the shores of a captivating lake called Vättern, the second largest lake by surface area in Sweden.
Vadstena Lake |
Tlig people enjoying the sunset at Vadstena Lake |
The topic of the retreat was “Can one Reach Deification While on Earth?”, a theme which Jesus clearly explains in the TLIG Messages- how to reach this spiritual level. Throughout the centuries, this theme, “deification”, has been a concern in Christian Theology, as it is widely referred to in the Christian Tradition, both in the Eastern and Western Churches.
On Friday, June 9th
While at the lobby of the conference hall, a young boy, Ivan, from the Czech Republic’s Children’s TLIG Choir spotted Vassula, as she had just arrived from Stockholm. He rushed to his mother to announce her arrival, then came running back, jumped on Vassula’s lap and hugged her. I was told that this young boy has great affection and love for Vassula.
On Saturday, June 10th, the program began at 8.30am. The choir entered the hall in procession, singing the Kyrie Eleisson hymn, followed by Vassula.
Some of the younger children in the choir do not speak English. Yet, they were able to learn all the songs by heart, in English, Italian and even Greek, and with a very nice accent! Here are some of the songs, words taken out of the True Life in God Messages and put into music: “Almighty God” (TLIG, 3 March 1988), “Be intimate with Me” (TLIG 25 September 1997), “Come and melt our hearts” (TLIG Messages, 18 June 1992), “Do you love me” (TLIG Messages, 21 June 1999), “Glory be to God” (TLIG 10 November 1995), “Go, go and tell everyone” (TLIG Messages, 8 February 1995), “Help me, Father” (TLIG Messages, 27 September 1986) …
The Youth Choir singing for Jesus
One pilgrim commented that the choir alone was reason enough for him to be grateful that he decided to attend this retreat. Their songs, when put into music, impact the soul like something out of this world! We give glory to God that these youngsters, who are the next generation, are already witnessing in that manner- the grandeur of TLIG.
Rev. Bo, a Lutheran Pastor from Sweden, reported that in total 145 people registered for the retreat. That was the maximum occupancy this location could contain. The lay participants came from various countries, and some from very far away. We had pilgrims from the USA, Israel, Greece, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Switzerland, England, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland and of course Sweden.
The participating clergy came from four different Christian denominations: Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran. It was not formally planned that this retreat be truly so ecumenical. Hence, the Hand of God is apparent in this kind of arrangement; the TLIG Messages’ intense call for Unity is not to be forgotten, but put into practice. Unity should be continuously in our mind and evangelized for the glory of God. We are all asked to work for Unity. And when we rely on God, we, who are nothing, a remnant only, as Jesus names us, and work for Unity, we fall like dew on this parched land, reviving it, becoming a beacon in the Church, a healing balm on Jesus’ Wounds; thus, we give glory to God. We must persevere for Unity, for this is our duty, and not be like those that Scriptures say: “The beginning of human pride is to desert the Lord and to turn one ‘s heart away from our Maker’s.” (Si Ch. 12) When we turn our hearts away from God, we are transgressing His Will, uninterested to follow His desire, which is to promote Unity. Our Lord calls out for Unity, but the faithful turn away from that call. The Lord, in the end, will bring these ‘monarchs’ down, to sit on the ground.
Rev. Bo, talking about Saint Bridget and Vastena
Rev. Bo gave us a small introduction about the life of Saint Bridget. Saint Bridget of Sweden was born on June 14, 1303 by noble parents. She was the daughter of Birger Persson of the family of Finsta, governor and lawspeaker of Uppland, and one of the richest landowners of the country. His wife, Ingeborg Bengtsdotter, was a member of the so-called Law-speaker branch of the Folkunga family. Through her mother, Ingeborg, Birgitta (Bridget) was related to the Swedish kings of her era. St. Bridget married Prince Ulf who was a very noble and pious man. They had eight children, among whom was Saint Catherine of Sweden. When her husband died in 1344, she willingly entered the consecrated life. In 1346 she founded the Bridgittines (the Order of the Most Holy Savior). The city of Vadstena was developed around the Abbey of Saint Bridget. Saint Paul II made her patron saint of Europe in 1999, and he called her a ‘precious ecumenical ‘bridge’, strengthened by the ecumenical commitment of her order. She had lifelong visions and wrote