Retreat means different things to different people, from a day or weekend of planned presentations, activities and meditations and prayer “experiences” for a specific group, to a month-long directed Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, to a week of silence in a monastery.
for the last few years I have relied on a week long directed retreat at the Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, Ohio. the atmosphere is one of silence, the grounds are a beautiful refuge in the heart of a suburban neighborhood with deer, birds, trees, walks, outdoor grottos & stations, even a small cemetery where deceased Jesuits are buried. there is also a daily Mass and adoration chapel. I meet with the director once a day for about an hour and he suggests meditations on topics drawn from the Exercises for the next day and we discuss progress, issues etc.
The Mass has a few issues, this is the diocese of Cleveland after all, they know about my issues, nobody minds if I kneel while everyone else stands, but at least there is no new-agey goddess worship type snarkiness that I have seen, unfortunately, at retreat centers run by some religious orders of nuns (Ursulines come to mind-stay away from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike).
Another place in Ohio that has been very helpful to me is the Sacred Heart fathers in Youngstown. They hold Life in the Spirit seminars and related retreats on weekends, and the retreat center can also take individuals for longer directed retreats. Very orthodox, very beautiful place to be.
But my travel time and budget to Ohio is now limited so I will save that for grandchildren.
Since our Benedictine Monastery of the Good Shepherd here in the valley -Rio Grande City -is now built and has bedrooms to accommodate a few people at any one time, from now on my annual retreat will be there with the sisters. that involves entering into the monastic lifestyle, silence, shared meals, LOTH, lectio divina, Mass etc. I bring only one spiritual book with me, but usually find that the material from the Office of Readings, lectio etc. provides enough furel for meditation.
The usual parish, other group, or women’s retreat with a presenter, group activities etc. is enjoyable and rewarding but to me is not a retreat. I find it valuable for community building, and nurturing relationships in the parish or group, but to me it is not a retreat that takes me out of my daily life demands and gets me back on track spiritually.
For me a retreat means primarily silence, simplicity and resting in Jesus.
Another place to know about is Lebh Shomea in Sarita TX on the Kenedy Ranch between Corpus Christi and Harlingen, owned by the Oblate Fathers which is also a hermitage. The library is exceptional and they usually have some long term residents doing research, some on sabbatical from academic or church jobs.
There is a place in San Antonio whose name escapes me, but I attended a weekend retreat run by a Carmelite while I was there I will post it when I find it.
lol Oh well, guess I must be patient or watch this thread die an early death… tis’ a shame.
