Catholic Retreat

[Fr_Andrew]

I am look for a long Catholic retreat 4-6 weeks that would be orthodox and have a Physical exercise component

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Hi Fr Andrew,

                 you could check out St. Mary's in Petersham, MA.

They’re Benedictines, who use Latin in the Norvus Ordo format and Latin in the Liturgy of the Hours.

They don’t have an exercise room as far as I know, but it’s located in a wooded area with lost of areas for walking and reflection.

You can contact them and talk to them about what you’re looking for.

stmarysmonastery.org/

Jim

 

[FCEGM]

The Carmelite House of Prayer in Oakville, CA

oakvillecarmelites.org/

Lots of room for long walks.

 

[Joannm]

Hi Fr Andrew,

                 you could check out St. Mary's in Petersham, MA.

They’re Benedictines, who use Latin in the Norvus Ordo format and Latin in the Liturgy of the Hours.

They don’t have an exercise room as far as I know, but it’s located in a wooded area with lost of areas for walking and reflection.

You can contact them and talk to them about what you’re looking for.

stmarysmonastery.org/

Jim

But they don’t have a structured retreat program. One basically is on their own. I don’t think they provide a director, at least the nuns don’t. But if you are looking just to get away for a self directed retreat then it’s a good place. You have to cook breakfast and dinner yourself, but lunch is provided by the brothers or the nuns.

Mass is only celebrated in Latin once a week, at least when I was there, but they do use some Latin at every Mass.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

But they don’t have a structured retreat program. One basically is on their own. I don’t think they provide a director, at least the nuns don’t. But if you are looking just to get away for a self directed retreat then it’s a good place. You have to cook breakfast and dinner yourself, but lunch is provided by the brothers or the nuns.

Mass is only celebrated in Latin once a week, at least when I was there, but they do use some Latin at every Mass.

Well the OP’s name is Fr Andrew, so I assuming he’s a priest.

Priest generally don’t require a directed retreat. Also, being a priest, they’ll let him stay in the monastery with the Monks and he can sit in choir with them.

Otherwise, lay people stay at the guest house and as you stated, they have to make their own breakfast, food is supplied of course.

Dinners, vary depending on the number of retreatants. When my wife and myself were there, there were six of us, so the nuns sent hot meals up to the guest house.

Otherwise, men are invited for meals with the Monks and women with the nuns.

Jim

 

[Joannm]

Well the OP’s name is Fr Andrew, so I assuming he’s a priest.

Priest generally don’t require a directed retreat. Also, being a priest, they’ll let him stay in the monastery with the Monks and he can sit in choir with them.

Otherwise, lay people stay at the guest house and as you stated, they have to make their own breakfast, food is supplied of course.

Dinners, vary depending on the number of retreatants. When my wife and myself were there, there were six of us, so the nuns sent hot meals up to the guest house.

Otherwise, men are invited for meals with the Monks and women with the nuns.

Jim

Many of priests I know go on directed retreats. Just like any of us, having a director or going to a preached retreat gives the person a focus and having a director to meet with during the time on retreat is very helpful to help discern the voice of God. I go on both those retreats with a director and without. I don’t particularly like preached retreats. When I went to Petersham I, of course didn’t have a director. In fact, for most of the 8 days I was the only one in the guest house.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Many of priests I know go on directed retreats. Just like any of us, having a director or going to a preached retreat gives the person a focus and having a director to meet with during the time on retreat is very helpful to help discern the voice of God. I go on both those retreats with a director and without. I don’t particularly like preached retreats. When I went to Petersham I, of course didn’t have a director. In fact, for most of the 8 days I was the only one in the guest house.

OK, I guess I have a different idea of what a directed retreat is.

I use to go to Calvary Retreat Center in Shrewsbury, which the Passionist ran. The retreats involved a schedule of talks by various members of the retreat team, Mass, confession and prayer services.

I currently go to St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer Mass. There, we have a retreat master, who gives one talk and hears confession and provides spiritual direction for those who seek it.

Otherwise, we follow the schedule the monks follow for the Divine Office of the day and Mass.

Jim