So physical fitness is clearly very important. But there are other kinds of fitness. Human beings are not just physical beings. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, man is both “corporeal and spiritual.” (362) That is, man is a unity of body and soul. (364-65) And just as we ignore our bodily health at our peril, so too regarding our spiritual health. In fact, as the body will eventually die and the soul is immortal, we should, if anything, prioritize our spiritual health. 

So let’s return to the subject of New Year’s resolutions. I propose prioritizing spiritual health by resolving to go on a retreat this year, and preferably a silent retreat. A silent retreat is an opportunity to spend a couple of days in prayer and silence and to step back, i.e., retreat, from the daily busyness of our lives. This retreat into silence is perhaps more critical than ever, as it also means a separation from the incessant noise of politics, sports, news, social media, entertainment, and technology. With the help of a skilled retreat master, we can evaluate our relationship with God and neighbor and make concrete resolutions to do better.

I’ve been going on an annual retreat for over a decade and it’s been perhaps the single most important part of my spiritual life, serving as a foundation for all my other spiritual practices. My annual silent retreat has helped me to develop good habits of prayer and self-denial and, as a result, has helped me to grow in virtue. Not surprisingly, given the unity of body and spirit, as I have improved my spiritual health and discipline, my relationships with my family and others have also improved, my apostolic works have increased, and even my physical disciplines and general happiness have improved.

I would particularly recommend attending a silent retreat rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. It is not an accident that St. Ignatius called these retreats spiritual exercises. Just as our bodies need exercise to operate optimally, so do our souls. Through a series of meditations and accompanying sessions of personal meditative prayer, St. Ignatius provides real exercise for the soul, inspiring the retreatant to, in all things, put God first. 

The Michigan-based religious order Miles Christi (Latin for “Soldiers of Christ”) regularly offers Spiritual Exercises throughout Michigan at various retreat centers, including at the Diocese of Lansing’s own St. Francis Retreat Center. These weekend silent retreats typically run from Friday evening through Sunday evening and are offered for men or for women. The retreats provide the necessary foundation to develop good prayer habits; to grow in the spiritual life; and ultimately, to progress on the path to sanctity. They have been a great aid to me and others I know who have attended.

Another option for a retreat is to consider the various weekend retreats that the  St. Francis Retreat Center  itself offers throughout the year. 

So this year, make your New Year’s resolution a spiritual one: resolve to attend a religious retreat this year. And after you’ve attended your first retreat, you may find yourself making this an annual practice, just as I and many others have.