What is Retrouvaille?

Retrouvaille (pronounced re-tro-vi), is a French word meaning "rediscovery," had its beginnings in the Province of Quebec, Canada in 1977. It has communities actively serving most of USA, many provinces of Canada, and nine other countries, including Australia and Malaysia where CGN members are located. Actual sites/information can be accessed through their Internet Home Page http://www.retrouvaile.org.

In societies with conflicting demands and time constraints, personal relations are often taken for granted. Such pressures make us forget that strong, caring, loving relations are essential to overcome everyday distractions. Without attention and care, marriages begin to wither and couples slowly but quietly drift away or get torn apart by unintentional words or actions.

Some remain married just to stay together "for the sake of the kids" or in name only. For many, it has been ages since they realized the joys of a caring and loving relationship. At times, infidelity, alcohol abuse or drug dependency make the situation even more hopeless.

Retrouvaille has been helping couples put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships through a weekend experience and a series of twelve presentations within three months of the weekend phase.

All ages are represented from varied walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. Some were actually separated or divorced but wanted to try again, while many kept struggling to stay together. The common denominator, however, was a sincere desire to built and maintain stable, loving marriages.

Retouvaille is Catholic in origin and orientation, but is open to all married couples regardless of religious background. Retrouvaille Weekends are held at either a local hotel or a retreat facility. Follow-up sessions, held in more relaxed settings, help to explore marriage and love relationships, renewal of commitment and for developing new insights and skills.

Participants are encouraged to put the past behind them and look beyond the hurt and pain in order to rediscover each other in new and positive ways. You will discover how listening, forgiveness, communication and the dialogue process become powerful aids for building loving and lasting relationships.

IF your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, or if you are considering separation or divorce, it is well worth giving Retrouvaille a try. It can help you maintain the sanctity of your marriage vows.

CGN can help direct you to a Retrouvaille Community in your area of residence, if needed. You are assured of strictest confidentiality and you may choose to remain anonymous when requesting information.

(Summarized from Retrouvaille's "Is Your Marriage Tearing You Apart?" pamphlet) "