Vatican Rules legitimate Catholic Organizations & Retreats

[Sarahforgiven]

Hello,
I recently ran across a post on SSPX ordinations & also a website from an organization in New York claiming that the last few popes were not really popes (yes realized quickly that was bogus, but did look at some of their stuff).

These websites, especially SSPX were very nice, I also thought about going to an SSPX retreat. (I am looking for a retreat house), before I realized they were not in full communion & ordinations were illicit, etc.

My question is: how do you know a retreat center, catholic group, etc. are in good standing with the Church & can be trusted to receive instruction from?

I looked on the Vatican website & didn’t find any area with a list.

Some of the monasteries I have checked into for retreats seem to have/teach things like “centering prayer” & other things that strike me as “new age.”

 

[puzzleannie]

the place to go to inquire about “Catholic” retreat centers is the diocese where they are located. In the Catholic Church the bishop has authority over his diocese, the Vatican does not get involved unless he asks or the need arises. Look on the website of the center to find the location, consult the usccb.org bishop’s website to find the diocese and contact information, and call the chancery to inquire about a parish, school, retreat center etc.

 

[BcuzISaidSo]

I second what puzzleannie says. I actually did that recently for the exact reason you described. I learned that the center that I was considering was not approved by the diocese despite the fact that it was run by a catholic order.

 

[Samuel63]

Be careful with the USCCB. There are a lot of dissident bishops in this group.

I recommend you do the following. Continue learning about the twisted knot our church in America finds itself. You can get good (name removed by moderator)ut from Patrick Coffin’s radio show right here on www.catholic.com. Search the monthly titles for the show and pick MP3 files that target what you are interested in.

Take a look at the difference between the National Catholic Register (good source), and the National Catholic Reporter (dissident saturated). Recognizing these patterns will help you to more quickly see a retreat center for what it really is. Understand after this exercise, there are a lot of priests and bishops that support the national catholic reporter which is shameful.

Start collecting a favorites list of websites and blogs that are really true to the faith.

Ask around, as you have done here, to see what others in your community think of local retreat experiences.

If you see someone at mass behaving in a more traditional manner such as genuflecting before entering the pew, genuflecting when passing in front of the tabernacle, or receiving communion on the tongue, get in touch with them right away. If they are “running on all cylinders” then you have a partner to grow with.

Learn about the latest and greatest heresy - Modernism. This is what we are experiencing today and has resulted in some of these practices such as centering prayer.

Also, if you are in a parish that practices these unorthodox activities, then don’t leave right away. Consider growing in the true faith on the side and start helping this great Bride of Christ at your local parish to recover.

I recommend a retreat with Miles Christi - www.mileschristi.org.

They are really fantastic!

 

[jmjconder]

Hello,
I recently ran across a post on SSPX ordinations & also a website from an organization in New York claiming that the last few popes were not really popes (yes realized quickly that was bogus, but did look at some of their stuff).

These websites, especially SSPX were very nice, I also thought about going to an SSPX retreat. (I am looking for a retreat house), before I realized they were not in full communion & ordinations were illicit, etc.

My question is: how do you know a retreat center, catholic group, etc. are in good standing with the Church & can be trusted to receive instruction from?

I looked on the Vatican website & didn’t find any area with a list.

Some of the monasteries I have checked into for retreats seem to have/teach things like “centering prayer” & other things that strike me as “new age.”

I rely on a Website called Catholic Culture to see how Catholic resources are in Fidelity, Resources and Usability. Fidelity and Resources are most important to me. This site will evaluate the resource and give it a “Red” “Yellow” or “Green” light. A real eye opener!

catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/

A good example of knowing about the Catholic retreat houses is here in the mid-west. There are many Catholic retreat houses - however a good number of them offer the practices that you mentioned. There is one in the mid-west that is a real gem and located in the famous Door County in Wisconsin on an island 7 miles from shore. Absolutely beautiful. Check it out!

holynameretreathouse.org

This retreat house is near the newly approved Marian Apparition - Our Lady of Good Help!

shrineofourladyofgoodhelp.com/index.html

Worth a visit for both!

Blessings.

 

[Sarahforgiven]

Thanks for all of the great tips & resources:thumbsup:

We must all pray for the Holy See, the Pope, Bishops, Priests, & all in the Church.

My husband & I just finished RCIA & were brought into the Church at the Easter Vigil. We were former Episcopalians & know firsthand how destructive these things can be.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

the place to go to inquire about “Catholic” retreat centers is the diocese where they are located. In the Catholic Church the bishop has authority over his diocese, the Vatican does not get involved unless he asks or the need arises. Look on the website of the center to find the location, consult the usccb.org bishop’s website to find the diocese and contact information, and call the chancery to inquire about a parish, school, retreat center etc.