It’s not easy for people today to take time out of their busy lives for a spiritual retreat.

So Fr Albert Cho In-young (KOR) has decided to take retreats to the people – with the help of Twitter.

“For Catholics, going on retreat usually means coming away to a remote place to meet God,” said Father Cho, who studies spirituality and theology in Ireland.

“But if we spare a little of our time, we can also meet God in the midst of our busy everyday life, even while walking on the street,” he added.

Hence the name – ‘Street Retreat’ – that Father Cho has given to his retreats.

Simplicity and interactive communication are the two characteristics of Street Retreats, he says.

Each week, Father Cho tweets 140 word Biblical phrases and directions to retreat participants.

The short phrases allow participants to remember them easily and reflect on them anytime and anywhere, he says.

Twitter’s interactive nature enables people to meet online for their spiritual journey without worrying about finding a place or a time, he notes.

It also allows participants to read the biblical phrases and directions before beginning their retreat.

While walking in your neighborhood, sitting on a park bench or drinking coffee, you can simply begin to reflect, Father Cho says.

Father Cho also recommends that participants take pictures during their retreat and which they can share online along with their comments at a site he has created.

“Photos can be a medium to help us return to the living experience of the retreat,” he explains.

Seventy-two people have already joined Father Cho’s retreats, which are open to Christians of any denomination, since their Sept. 6 launch.

Father Cho may be contacted on Twitter: @arrupe.

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