Good Shepherd Retreat Center Begins Ministry in Belize
The newly opened Good Shepherd Retreat Center in San Antonio Village is already serving the people of the Toledo District in meaningful ways.
The center, which opened Jan. 17, is run by Sister Higinia Bol and ministers through St. Peter Claver Parish. Located in southern Belize, it was created to support formation and renewal for catechists and village church leaders across the region.
Just days after opening, Sister Higinia led the first program at the center, a Cursillo, a three-day, lay-led movement designed to train Christian leaders and renew their faith. A small group of men and women from several villages gathered to reflect on their call to serve as catechists. Participants expressed gratitude for the new facility, which allowed them to stay together overnight rather than travel back and forth each day. They also shared meals prepared on site, strengthening their sense of community.
Immediately following the Cursillo, 25 newly commissioned catechists arrived for a three-day retreat. The focus was on reflecting on their early experiences in ministry. While the schedule included communal prayer, the emphasis was on personal prayer, meditation, and silence. Participants also met individually with Sister Higinia for guidance and consultation. Many described the retreat as a welcome pause from the demands of daily life in their home villages.
Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, SJ, with Higinia Bol, SCN
The center also welcomed a special guest. The Father General of the Society of Jesus, based in Rome, visited along with several Jesuit Provincials from different regions. They met with Sister Higinia for an extended conversation about the purpose and future of the retreat center. Members of the San Antonio Village Committee also offered a presentation on the history of the committee, its accomplishments, current challenges, and hopes for the future.
Though still in its early stages, the Good Shepherd Retreat Center is already meeting a clear need. Its presence is strengthening the formation and spiritual life of leaders serving the 32 village churches across the Toledo District.
Sister Higinia says, “The opening of the Good Shepherd Retreat Center is a blessing for our villages. For the first time, our catechists can step away from their daily responsibilities, stay together in one place, and truly reflect on their call. This center gives them space for prayer, silence, and community. We are already seeing how much it is needed.”