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What is a Retreat?

A Retreat is a time set apart to reflect on one’s relationship with God. The silence and solitude of the retreat helps one become more deeply aware of God’s presence within and in the events of one’s life. A retreat can be any length of time, from one day to thirty days.

Where can a Retreat be made?

A private retreat can be made wherever silence and solitude is possible. Conference and directed retreats are usually sponsored by a retreat center. Click here for a schedule of retreats sponsored by Monastery Immaculate Conception.

What are the different kinds of Retreats?

The kind of retreat you choose to make depends on what your needs are at this time in your spiritual journey. There are many different kinds of retreats. The most common are:

Private Lectio Retreat

A private Lectio Retreat is a time set aside to listen to God speaking in the reading of scripture, the silence and solitude, and in the daily activities of each day. Such a retreat is usually made by oneself although if a director is available, the retreatant may choose to meet with him/her once a day.

Directed Retreat

The Directed Retreat is a guided or accompanied retreat that focuses on the retreatant’s relationship with God. Attention is given to the unique experience of God in the prayer of the retreatant and his/her experience of God in life’s events.

God is the principle director of the retreat. However, each retreatant also has a spiritual director who accompanies him/her during the retreat. Together they listen to how God is speaking and guiding the retreatant. The retreatant sees the director once a day to talk over what is happening as s/he seeks to be open to God in prayer and in the daily activities of the retreat. This conference also gives the retreatant an opportunity to express how God’s Spirit is prompting him/her in the depths of one’s heart.

Conference Retreat

A Conference Retreat is a time of silence and solitude in community with others making the retreat. The director of the retreat gives one or two conferences each day and is also available to meet with individual retreatants if they wish.

Centering Prayer Retreat

Centering Prayer Retreat is an in-depth retreat for those with experience in Centering Prayer. The retreat provides an opportunity to enter into the more profound levels of spiritual practice in an atmosphere of silence, solitude and community.

How does one prepare for a Retreat?

In preparation for a time of retreat it is helpful to:

• Pray for a deep faith in God’s desire to communicate very personally with you and for the grace to have a generous heart and spirit.
• Reflect on sacred scripture each day prior to the retreat. See Contemplative Prayer.

What does a retreatant do?

The retreatant balances the day with times of reflection on sacred scripture, exercise, creative expression, journaling, and simply resting in God. Each finds a daily rhythm of prayer, reflection and relaxation in an atmosphere of peace and calm. It is this climate that frees the retreatant to best experience the gentle prompting of the God’s Spirit. To help create this balance the retreatant:

• Listens to God speak through Sacred Scripture and in all the events of each day, responding with openness and generosity.
• Observes silence so s/he can enter into a solitude that opens one to deepening reflection and prayer.
• Approaches each day of the retreat as a day of prayer.
• Journals after each prayer period. (Questions for Journaling)