In the 47 years since its origins at St. Louis Church in Miami, the Emmaus Retreat movement has developed a burgeoning presence worldwide.

This Friday-to-Sunday retreat program was conceptualized to help deepen each attendee’s relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, reflection and fellowship. Essentially, each participant is called to contemplate how they experience the Lord’s presence in their lives, just like Jesus’ disciples as they journeyed to Emmaus in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 24:13-35).

It first caught on across Latin America, especially in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Venezuela, as well as Spain. The Emmaus Retreat movement has been credited with bolstering parish life throughout Latin America and forming more dynamic Catholic lay leaders.

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Now, it is Canada’s turn to embark on the road to Emmaus. Two years after a group in Montreal hosted the maiden event in Canada, the first-ever retreat for women in Ontario was hosted by Emaús Ontario (the group uses the Spanish for Emmaus) from Feb. 7-9 at the Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre in Ancaster near Hamilton. Lay Catholic women who had previously attended an Emmaus retreat primarily guided the weekend.  

Over 80 women were present for this retreat presented entirely in Spanish. If Emaús Ontario continues to gain a foothold within the Archdiocese of Toronto — the home parish for this group is Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Weston Road — an English-speaking iteration is possible within the next two years. Fr. Edgar Gilberto Romero Lopez, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, serves as spiritual advisor.

Angela Fierro, the coordinator for the Emaús Ontario women’s group, hails from Colombia. She experienced an Emmaus retreat for the first time back in her homeland around 2015 or 2016 and marvelled at how it transformed her.

“It changed my life,” reminisced Fierro. “I know Jesus was there. I’m feeling well during the weekend. There was (bad) blood in my relationship with my husband (at the time). Maybe the decision at this moment was to divorce, but after we both completed the retreatments, we saw that all the time we needed to live with God in our house and God at the centre of our lives.”

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While Fierro chose not to divulge all the faith-filled activities that occur during a retreat as she believes it impactful for some elements to remain a surprise, she did say personal testimonials are a cornerstone activity. Ten women shared their stories about God and moulded them into disciples during both peaks and valleys.

“When they recognize God, their lives changed,” said Fierro. “Maybe they don't have control over everything, but God (helped) them to go the right way, and life is better with God.”

In addition to Emmaus retreats fostering encounters with Jesus, it also espouses the importance of forgiveness, becoming active parishioners and building a strong faith network. Participants are urged to volunteer for ministries, partake in Bible studies and enhance their spiritual growth through prayer groups.

An Emmaus weekend also offers a meaningful portion of time for prayer, Eucharistic adoration, confession and group discussion.

Emaús Ontario is hosting its inaugural men’s retreat at the Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre from March 28-30.

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The goal is for this group to host female and two male retreats each year. Fierro is eyeing September as a potential month to host the second women’s event. Meetings to plan each retreat are hosted bi-weekly.

To learn more about Emaús Ontario, visit them on Facebook.