On Saturday, February 8, almost sixty young professionals in their 20s and 30s gathered for the Hearts on Fire – NYC retreat focused on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Jesuit retreat, held at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York City, featured four talks rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, moments of silent prayer, the sharing of graces in small groups, and fellowship over lunch and treats from nearby Little Italy. The retreat was a collaboration of the Apostleship of Prayer, the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and the Vocation Office of the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus.
Four Talks: A Heart-to-Heart Encounter with Christ
Four key retreat talks explored the devotion to the Sacred Heart and reflected movements of the Spiritual Exercises: from creation, to generous response, to woundedness and healing, and, finally, to a heart set on fire with God’s love.
- A Heart is Formed: Fr. Patrick Nolan, SJ, Provincial Assistant and Director of Vocations for the USA East Jesuits, introduced the day, set up a structure of prayer for the silent moments following each talk, and pointed out the members of the Communion of Saints who had been a part of the Old Cathedral.
- A Heart Expands in Generosity: Fr. Vinny Marchionni, SJ, Director of Admissions and Community Outreach at St. Ignatius School in the Bronx, reflected on the Sacred Heart of Jesus as broken for what He experiences in the world, challenging us, and ultimately wanting to celebrate with us. He led retreatants through the Ignatian exercise of an Application of the Senses, inviting them to taste, see, and experience an encounter with the Lord through the ordinary moments of sharing a meal and conversation.
- A Heart is Wounded and Healed: Fr. Brendan Coffey, SJ, Teacher of English and Theology at Fairfield College Preparatory School, connected a personal story about a friendship and the grace he received in bringing himself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation to the healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12) who was carried by his friends and placed before Jesus by opening the roof.
- A Heart Ignited: Fr. Brendan Gottschall, SJ, Assistant Director and Promoter of Vocations for the USA East Jesuits, offered a guided meditation on the Contemplation to Attain the Love of God, the climax of the Spiritual Exercises, which leads to a response of love for all God’s gifts.
Participants were particularly moved by the parts of the talks that featured guided prayer, personal stories, and key aspects from the Spiritual Exercises.
Eucharistic Adoration and Confession
After lunch and the third talk of the day, the retreatants spent time in Eucharistic Adoration. The time before the Blessed Sacrament allowed participants to soak up the conversations from the small groups, the insights from the talks, and the graces of silent prayer. The Sacrament of Reconciliation was also available, thanks to eight Jesuit priests joining as confessors, giving retreatants a full hour to encounter Christ’s healing mercy.
One retreatant shared, “I was glad to bring those I encouraged to join the retreat back to the sacrament.”
Fellowship in Christ
Beyond the talks and prayer, the retreat fostered genuine Christian fellowship. Starting the day with coffee and bagels, breaking for lunch and an afternoon treat, as well as the small group discussions, provided opportunities for participants to share their faith journeys and support one another. One retreatant reflected, “It was so consoling to hear other young adults struggling with career, relationships, and Catholic values in today’s world.” After the Vigil Mass, a crowd gathered at Sláinte nearby to continue conversations over refreshments and reflect on the day’s graces.
Vigil Mass at a Historic Old Cathedral
The retreat concluded with the regular Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, a site steeped in Catholic history. One retreatant shared, “I am always struck by the rich Catholic history of NYC. I’d definitely be interested in getting more involved in the city’s faith community.” The sense of being surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses in the sacred space was palpable, thanks to connections with prominent figures in New York City’s Catholic world, including:
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Sent three sisters to found the orphanage at 32 Prince Street, where the group gathered for lunch.
- St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta: Visited the Old Cathedral in 1996 to receive 12 sisters into her Missionaries of Charity and spent time with the students at the parochial school at 32 Prince Street.
- St. John Neumann: Ordained a priest at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in 1836, later became the fourth bishop of Philadelphia, and founded the first Catholic diocesan school system in the U.S.
- Venerable Pierre Toussaint: A Haitian-born, formerly enslaved man who became a well-known hairdresser and philanthropist, remembered for his care for the poor. Toussaint contributed to the cathedral’s construction and his remains were originally interred there before being moved to the “New” Cathedral.
- Servant of God Isaac Hecker: Founder of the Paulist Fathers, a convert, was baptized and initially interred at the Old Cathedral before being moved to St. Paul the Apostle on the West Side of Manhattan.
Praying in the same church where these holy men and women once worshipped was a source of inspiration for many, including one retreatant who summed up the experience and his desire for more: “Thank you again for the opportunity to join you last Saturday. I had a great time meeting new people and strengthening my relationship with God! I am now even more excited to move to NYC and join a local parish.”
Join Us in Boston for Hearts on Fire: A Jesuit Lenten Retreat
Do you know someone in their 20s or 30s in Boston? We invite you to share the details of our upcoming Hearts on Fire: A Jesuit Lenten Retreat, hosted at St. Ignatius Parish and Boston College. This retreat, organized in collaboration with the Mass and Mingle community, will again focus on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with opportunities for prayer, reflection, and fellowship.
Date: March 23, 2025
Location: St. Ignatius Parish and Boston College (28 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467)
For more information, contact Fr. Brendan Gottschall, SJ, at bgottschall@jesuits.org. For questions specific to Mass & Mingle, contact the Boston College Church in the 21st Century Center at church21@bc.edu.
Click here to register.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Matthew 11:25-30
From the Gospel for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
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