How to find the right retreat?

[hopefull]

Is there a resource available that would describe in detail the type of retreats available at a variety of retreat houses, and also what is NOT available…and is there anyone reading this who would have a recommendation for a traditional Catholic retreat house that meets the following needs:

• English speaking, but with large portions in silence; but just for adults; men and women, lay and clerical is fine.
• Spiritual advisors and leaders who are Catholic priests
• Avoidance of new age gimmicks (for me that includes labyrinths, Eastern style centering/emptying, massage, sufi dancing, reiki “healing”, dream analysis etc. )
• Emphasis on personal relationship with God, through worship, prayer, meditation, contemplation, lectio divina, spiritual reading, prayer journaling.)
• Spiritual advice available from a priest
• Daily Mass, Liturgy of the hours, other traditional Catholic devotions such as Benediction, Adoration.
• A chapel with the Blessed Sacrament reserved and open 24 hours a day, easily accessible
• Some additional program opportunities for learning, to deepen my knowledge of my faith. A group situation is fine, as long as there is also plenty of time for individual prayer and reflection.
• Not discriminatory toward women participants (I know of one abbey that has the men retreatants eat with the brothers and women are kept separate.)
• Private rooms with bath right on the grounds (not a hotel environment). A nice area and grounds would be a plus but not necessary.

Going on a retreat is a big investment of both time and money, especially if I need to fly somewhere, but I am willing to consider any place in the US or Canada. I am trying to be diligent in making this choice and in having the Holy Spirit help me pick, but I don’t even know where to start. A google search brings up far too much, and it is especially hard to asses on reading the materials if the retreat center, even if run by priests, adheres to traditional Catholic values. Can anyone help or share their experience of a particularly good retreat center that meets these needs?

 

[Amateur_Soul]

My advice: make your arrangements early.

Many retreat houses fill up with groups and you may very well find your desired time to go booked up for one reason or another.

A couple resources I used before failing to find something that would work for my timing were:

Benedictine houses:
osb.org/retreats/index.html

General search:
catholiclinks.org/retirosunitedstates.htm

Also, try not to view the separation of women issue as real discrimination. Some Orders live very strict ascetic lives and women can very easily be a source of temptation for some monks perhaps. I don’t know. Though I do know that in some orders, women are not even allowed into the monasteries and also vice-versa with the convents.

 

[Micki]

Try this link mileschristi.org/

I spoke with one of their priests at a Catholic Homeshoolers’ conference last weekend. Their retreats sound wonderful!!

Micki

 

[tkdnick]

Try this link mileschristi.org/

I spoke with one of their priests at a Catholic Homeshoolers’ conference last weekend. Their retreats sound wonderful!!

Micki

They’re doing an Ignatian retreat near me, but I have not been able to get any info from them about it.

 

[water]

First, you should pray for it. God will help you with the retreat that He wants you to go

I am not sure where you live, but in Austin, TX, there is a retreat center called “Cedar Break”.

austindiocese.org/dept/cedarbrake/calendar.php

I’ve been there once for the Young Adult retreat - it was nice.

The next one I am going to is the one in June 1-3:

Three saint presentations over three days will inspire you to want to imitate Jesus Christ even more after this retreat. St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and Meister Eckhart will be the holy people we relect on as they teach us a path to follow the King of Saints. The cost is $140 for private rooms or $110 per person when sharing a room. Dr. Wally Redmond and Bro. Joel Giallanza presenting.

 

[Fergal]

Try to look up a retreat run by Opus Dei. They are truly wonderful and have the balance you are looking for.

Do a web search or ask about. They are never too far away.

 

[Mordocai]

another thing to keep in mind about retreats.
its not about the perfect setting
its about listening to what God has to say
period.
He will act wherever.
trust is most important in retreats.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

hopefull,
I go to Saint Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, MA every year.
It is a non-directed retreat, although a monk will give one talk on Saturday Morning, and there is confession and spiritual counseling. You attend the Liturgy of the Hours, and Mass in the Church or Visitors Chapel. For the most part it’s silent, i.e. no talking during meals. However, you can talk with other retreatants one of the two living rooms and of course while you’re helping to clean up the dishes. Everyone helps. You also get a private room with a private bath, in their beautiful retreat house. The cost is, your free will offering.

Now for the hard part. They only take 12 people per week-end. The third week-end of the month is for women, all others are for men. You must make your reservation 6 months in advance, by calling the first day of the month. So, if you want to go in November, you have to call May 1st.

Here’s their link.

spencerabbey.org/

The other place, which I haven’t been to in a while, is St. Mary’s Monastery in Petersham, MA. This is a Benedictine Retreat and the Mass is said in both Latin and English. It is not directed at all and there are no conferences. You stay at the guest house and attend the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass, some of which is Latin.
The good part, it’s easy to get a reservation. The cost is also a free will offering.

stmarysmonastery.org/

God Bless
Jim

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I have two suggestions:

• Casa Maria, a retreat house run by the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word in Birmingham, Alabama. They schedule a variety of preached retreats each year, some silent, some not, but all faithful to the Church (no New Agers need apply). Check them out at casamaria.org/ .
• St. Joseph Monastery and Retreat House run by the Passionist Nuns in Whitesville, Kentucky. You can arrange a private individual retreat, or occasionally they have an organized one. I absolutely love it there — I fly back every year since I’ve moved away from Kentucky. Spiritual direction is likely to be with one of the sisters (they are semi-cloistered, but there are a few “extern” sisters who work with retreatants). But the priest who offers Mass for the sisters each day is usually glad to spend time with retreatants too if they need it, for confession, discussion, etc. Visit their website at passionistnuns.org/ .

 

[EMAC]

I just went on my first retreat with my church this past weekend. It was absolutely amazing!
It’s called ACTS. My church does one for women only and then one for men only.
I think the program started out of San Antonio, Texas. I live in Denton. I’m not sure how widespread it is, but I hope it catches on EVERYWHERE!
I’m copying and pasting some information from our churches website, but if you just type ACTS retreat into your search engine, you might find more info. I pray God will lead to what you are looking for.

What is an ACTS Retreat?
An ACTS Retreat is a three-day, three night Catholic retreat presented by lay men and women, with spiritual direction provided during the weekend by Oblates and/or Spiritual Directors. Retreats for men, women, and youth are given separately. Talks and activities focus on Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are the guides for the retreats. The retreats goals are to strengthen your faith and its application in your daily life, to renew yourself spiritually and to build lasting friendships. Retreatants return to their parishes and churches with a deeper love for each other and a desire to become more involved in their parish faith communities. The retreat facilitates the attainment of a new or deeper relationship with the Lord through:

Adoration - the call by, acceptance of, and response to God
Community - the love and caring of each other
Theology - the study of God through scripture and the Catholic Faith
Service - to God and his people

Also, I just have to add that the retreat you described is almost exactly what this one was like. Only, where we stayed was like a hotel but it was on wide open acreage, by the lake-BEAUTIFUL!

 

[baltobetsy]

Try to look up a retreat run by Opus Dei. They are truly wonderful and have the balance you are looking for.

Do a web search or ask about. They are never too far away.

I couldn’t agree more. Go to www.opusdei.org and click on “contact us,” right at the top of the page. If you tell them in your email what area of the country you are in, they will tell you what conference/retreat centers are closest to you.

Your requirements mirror the Opus Dei retreat. And guaranteed, there will be no wacky theology!

Betsy