Children of divorced or separated parents can mend their wounds through faith as Life Giving Wounds’ Toronto chapter hosts its third annual retreat May 16-18 at St. Augustine’s Seminary. 

The Catholic ministry for young adults and adults with divorced and/or separated parents will offer a three-day healing retreat to go along with its continuing support groups and online resources. 

This year’s retreat, organized in part by the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Office of Formation for Discipleship, gives participants a greater understanding of the wound of divorce, the ways it affects their lives and advice about the difficulties concerning love and trust of others. Speakers are also to explain how the Catholic faith’s spiritual practices and sacraments are essential to self-knowledge and healing in many ways. 

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Maria Wolfs, the  local coordinator for Life Giving Wounds Toronto, said wounds of divorce often manifest in different ways for each person, with some common wounds appearing more often than others. The retreat will address seven specific wounds: silence, identity, distrust, fear, anger, anxiety and unforgiveness. 

“ The retreat features a mixture of talks, journaling, personal prayer, small group discussions and one-on-one meetings aimed at addressing these wounds that are commonly faced by adult children of divorce,” she said. “ The lens of suffering is redemptive and brings the hope that, with God's grace, we can transform our wounds into wellsprings. They are invited to unite their sufferings with those of our Lord so that we can receive His promise of life and mercy.” 

Wolfs, along with Daniel Meola, Life Giving Wounds’ president and founder, and Fr. John Sutka, associate pastor of Merciful Redeemer Parish and Life Giving Wounds Toronto's chaplain, will speak across the three-day retreat. 

Wolfs said the experience remains spiritually and emotionally beneficial, if not transformative, for those who attend. 

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“Both my two sisters and I have attended the retreat in the past, and that healing journey has impacted our family, sibling relationships, enriched our spiritual life and brought healing in areas that were previously blind spots,” she said. 

“At retreats, we specifically ask for feedback and many participants, even in the short course of a weekend, speak about life-changing transformations. It can give them a new vision of hope, especially towards healthy relationships and overcoming wounds, which is a powerful start.”

That start is  reinforced through the chapter’s book study that follows in the fall each year and the two dedicated socials that encourage ministries of friendship to form among attendees. 

Reflecting on the inherent importance for adult children of divorce or separation to focus on moving past the broken image of love they witnessed in their parents’ relationship, Wolfs points to Scripture — specifically, John 10:10. 

“Jesus said, ‘I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.’ When we carry wounds from our parents' divorce, it affects our self-identity, our relationship with God and the Church and our intimate relationships. Jesus does not want us to live in our broken and bound state, but to live in freedom, in the fullness of life that comes from His healing love,” she said. 

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“He wants us to know ourselves as beloved children of the Heavenly Father, of the perfect marriage of Christ and His Church and to be able to give ourselves fully and freely in love to others.” 

Register at eventbrite.ca/e/life-giving-wounds-retreat-for-adult-children-of-divorce-or-separation-tickets-1261262884239?aff=oddtdtcreator.