WHY MAKE A RETREAT?

 

 A retreat gives you a chance to look at where you are in your journey to God, to be more aware of your journey and of the loving God with whom you journey.

 

Think of it as a gift to yourself — a way to step aside from everyday concerns to relax and care for your soul. Are You Taking Enough Time for Yourself in this Busy World?

 

The kind of retreat you are searching for depends on your own personal journey through life.

 

At times we feel a need for solitude and the chance to be alone. At other times discussion and reflection with a group would be more suitable. Sometimes a weekend is all the time available for retreat, and again others need a week or more.

 

There are different kinds of retreats:

Preached or conference-type retreats: For larger groups the retreating experience usually centers around a central theme: prayer, sacred scripture, the life of Jesus, holiness and marriage, women's / men's spirituality. A presenter or retreat leader provides intervals of talks and periods of reflection or of optional personal sharing. You will be gone from Friday to Sunday afternoon, and you'll feel like you have been away for a week's vacation.

Guided retreats: In this form, smaller groups (five to ten or more persons) gather for a daily conference together, and then are on their own the remainder of the day. They meet individually with a director for personal consultation.

Directed retreats: For those seeking a more extended retreat experience there is the option of a retreat period as long as 30 days. The daily time of prayer is measured by the person's personal need and experience. The retreatant meets daily with a director who facilitates the experience of prayer and personal growth.

Retreat in daily Life: In this format, the retreatant remains engaged in ordinary daily activities at home or at work, but makes a commitment to an hour of daily prayer usually based on sacred scripture. The retreatant meets with a director every other week for an hour. The retreat may last as long as six to eight months.

The Following Centres offer opportunities for the various kinds of retreats.