MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

Retreat Theme  Silence and solitude have been the cornerstones of the Christian contemplative life since the desert Mothers and Fathers founded their 4th century monastic communities in the deserts of Egypt. Over the centuries, much Christian literature has been written about the value of silence and solitude, how to attain inner tranquility through silence, and the power of prayerful silence to transform the human heart. Yet, silence and solitude as a way of prayer have also been romanticized – promising mystical visions and interior peace that many find wanting. This can lead those who attempt contemplative prayer to become frustrated, dissatisfied, or under the false impression that they are ‘doing something wrong.’ In fact, very often sitting in silence leads to boredom and ennui – or what the mystical tradition calls “dryness and distraction” in prayer. Join Fr. Vincent over five days of a spacious and simply structured retreat. Conferences will be brief and informative, allowing as much time as possible for participants to be in silence rather than talk about silence. The Conferences will help to provide a Christian theological framework for the practice of contemplative prayer. Topics will include body posture, sacred mantras and prayer words, breathing, working with mental distractions, as well as the relational quality of silence in Christian prayer. With the exception of voluntary participation in one-hour evening sessions that will give participants a chance to share what is on their heart, a strict silence will be held throughout the week. Two communal prayer sessions per day (morning and night) as well as a mid-week contemplative celebration of the Eucharist will frame the practice of prayer in solitude.