Holistic retreats. A New Jersey medical center responds to community needs

Through Lourdes Wellness Center, sponsored by Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, NJ, religious and laypersons from across the nation can experience holistic spirituality retreats. In holistic spirituality, a person reverences his or her whole self as an expression of and a way to God. Retreats offered through the Wholistic Retreat Program are geared to demonstrate the Christian and Franciscan perspective of the holiness of all creation. Some retreatants say the liturgies are the core of the holistic spirituality retreats, rich in their use of symbol, music, and word. Meals served at the retreats are a celebration of color, texture, and fragrance. Movement and exercise options are always available. Staff from Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center often come to test retreatants' cholesterol levels, assess their life-styles and health, and provide information on health, fitness, and additional health screenings. Lourdes wellness retreats have a bright future as people increasingly turn to spirituality, preventive care, and alternative ways of healing in our high-stress society.