A directed retreat is a personally guided prayer experience in which the retreatant follows the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius while listening for God’s personal word spoken through the Sacred Scriptures. Each retreatant is assigned a director with whom the retreatant meets daily for reflection and spiritual discernment. Retreatants may request specific directors, although it may not be possible to comply with these requests. Nonetheless, each retreatant must have a director in order to get the most out of his/her spiritual experience.
There are usually two 8-day periods set aside each month for individuals who wish to make a directed retreat of 3, 5, or 8 full days. The number of days of a retreat is counted as full days, excluding the day of arrival and the day of departure. Retreats begin with supper at 6:00 p.m. on the day of arrival and end with breakfast on the last day. PLEASE arrive between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m.
Arival & Departure Dates Example
If you were interested in a 5 day retreat starting on Monday, July 8th, 2019, you would arrive on Monday, July 8th between 4 and 5:30. Your retreat would start that evening after the evening meal. You would then have five full days of retreat (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th) and then you would leave after breakfast on Sunday, July 14th. If you instead wanted to start your 5 day retreat on Thursday, July 11th, you would arrive on July 11th between 4 and 5:30. Your retreat would start that evening after the evening meal. You would then have five full days of retreat (12th, 13th, 14th, 15th & 16th) and then you would leave after breakfast on Wednesday, July 17th. An 8 day retreat has to begin on the first of the two dates offered.
In addition to these, three 32-day periods each year are set aside for those who wish to make the full Exercises. All these scheduled retreats are individually directed by staff members.
SILENCE, both interior and exterior, is a necessary condition for the efficacy of a directed retreat.
The experience of the Spirituality Center Staff has suggested that retreatants have a better retreat experience if all retreatants begin their retreat together, with an introductory session and prayer service. Therefore, we ask all retreatants to begin the retreat on either of two dates indicated for each retreat period listed below. Three and five day retreats can begin on either of the two dates, while 8-day retreatants must begin on the first date listed.
What’s Provided and What You Should Bring:
We provide all bath and bed linens. Please bring casual, comfortable clothing. Our climate is generally mild, but you should be prepared for cold weather in winter and hot, humid weather in summer.
You may bring needlework, water colors or other handwork that you find relaxing and helpful. You will need a notebook. Other books/tapes, etc., are unnecessary and could be distracting. Your family, friends, and associates should refrain from writing or calling you during the retreat. Messages of a serious or emergency nature will be passed on to you as soon as possible. Washing machines and dryers are available. Please let us know in advance if you have special dietary requirements or need handicap accessible accommodations.
For more retreat details, please also go to “About” and then “General Info”.
