The Four Consents: A Retreat Conducted by Mary Anne Best, Contemplative Outreach US

Fr. Thomas speaks to the different levels of awareness in his chapter on “The Four Consents,” in Invitation to Love: “Each time one consents, one comes closer to transforming union with God in this life.”

Mary Anne Best joined 56 participants at the Emmaus Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin on Saturday 21st June, 2017 to lead a retreat on the Four Consents.

These can be summarised as to consenting to:

  • Our basic goodness
  • The full development of our being
  • Our diminishment and acceptance of death
  • Being transformed

The day comprised of three periods of Centering Prayer coupled with teaching periods by 
Mary Anne.  The Holy Spirit really filled the room and there was calmness and serenity as well as
a palpable feeling of listening with intent.

It is always a joy when a member of the Contemplative Outreach Team from America visits Ireland.

As Br. Denis Gleeson remarked ‚ÄúIt gives us fresh enthusiasm and a renewed sense of purpose when a member of the CO Team leads a retreat.” The day started at 9:30am and ended at 4pm with lunch at 1pm. The Retreat coincided with the 10th Anniversary of Contemplative Outreach Dublin. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Sr. Fionnuala Quinn, international coordinator for Contemplative Outreach and member of CO Dublin, who was responsible for setting it all up.

Group photo of the participants at recent The Four Consents Retreat Day led by 
Mary Anne Best at the Emmaus Centre, Swords, Co., Dublin Ireland.