retreats

[lynch]

does anyone have any experience of going on a retreat (be it organised or self-initiated) to focus an extended period of time on prayer, meditation and reflection?

what kind of 'places' have been visited, and from whom has guidance been sought?

perhaps members have been on pilgrimage...

I was taken to Lourdes as a child, and as an adult have visited Santiago de Compostella (for work) and Rome (as a tourist). I would been keen to add a more dedicated, spiritual dimension to future travels, as well as visiting religious communities to seek help in advancing prayer and meditation.

any thoughts...?

[Bro. Paul]

Until a few years ago, I made it my practice to go on Retreat a couple of times, and I have always found such times as being of great benefit to me. In my time I have visited Mirfield, the Convent of the Holy Name, Oakwood, Derby and the Fransican House at Alnmouth - I spent a week at the latter exporing the Fransican Life. My first Retreat lasted three days, and this was spent in silence.

Most of the Retreats I have made hade been 'self-led' with me usually taking a book or a book from the Bible to work on. One weekend spent at the Convent, I spent three days exploring the words of a poem and the meaning of such, etc. I have also been on led Retreats, which have been useful too.

I intend going on retreat again later this year, as I know that I have missed such.

If you have not been on one before, then I would encourage you to give such a go. There is a wonderful book, entitled, 'The Good Retreat Guide', which should help you find the nearest House for you to attend, as well as giving you an idea of what each House can offer you, as not all can offer you a Brother or Sister to aid you in your time there. There are also still a number of 'older' books that can be discovered which are written to help you 'design' your own retreat, if other guidance is not available. And, if you don't feel totally at ease with going to a Religious House, or are unable to, you can always try to have a 'Quiet Weekend' at home, etc...

Just as a point of interest, I have found that you get more 'fuss' made over you if you go to a Convent!

[Ollie]

Just as a point of interest, I have found that you get more 'fuss' made over you if you go to a Convent!

Bless those nuns

[alex001]

I went on a retreat a few years ago in the suburbs of London near one of the two main airports. I can't remember the order, but I had a spiritual director for 3 days, and it was in silence apart from the meetings with the director. She gave me meditations to do, and they had some beautiful gardens. Unfortunately the planes were coming in to land (or taking off) over the gardens! I have looked on the noticeboard at my church and there are a number of Catholic retreats locally listed there, but I haven't been free to make them yet. Here's a list of some retreat centres in/near my area (Plymouth):

Buckfast Abbey
The Guestmaster, Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0EE
Telephone: 01364 645500

St. Gilda's Christian Centre
The Hill, Langport, Somerset TA10 9QG
Telephone: 01458 250496

St. Rita's Centre
Ottery Moor Lane, Honiton, Devon EX14 8AP
Telephone: 01404 42601

The Retreat, Higher Menadue
Fr. David Mead, "The Retreat", Higher Menadue, Bugle, St. Austell, Cornwall PL26 8QW
Telephone / fax: 01726 851404

Trelowarren Fellowship
Mawgan-in-Menage, Helston, Cornwall TR12 6AD
Telephone: 01326 22366

A

[lynch]

thanks alex - that's helpful

[Ollie]

How much do they cost?

[Bro. Paul]

How much do they cost?

That all depends on the House. Some simply ask that you give what you can afford - The Anglican Franciscans at Alnmouth give all their guests a blank envelope and ask you to post it in to a box, which is emptied at the end of the week, so you don't have to worry about giving your offering straight to them face to face.

Some Houses state a daily rate, usually between £18-24 - However again, usually, if this is a problem they will come up with a solution. Looking at individual House Websites should help further.

Pax

[Ollie]

Thanks Bro. Paul, I love the idea of getting away and seeing how well I can get on with trying to develop my relationship with God in such a focused environment. It may be just what I need.