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Weekend Retreats

Weekend Retreats

Better than anyone else, the Holy Spirit will teach you how to taste with the heart and carry out with sweetness what reason shows to be for the greater service and glory of God.”

St. Ignatius

Weekend Retreats

Are you seeking to discover the call God has on your heart at this moment of your life?  For 500 years the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises have effectively given the tools to form a discerning heart: to hear God's call, to understand what influences your behaviors and choices, and to make a bold and generous response.  

Great for first-timers and those whose busy schedules won’t allow more than a weekend, this version is designed to walk you through the dynamics of the exercises with several guided meditations and conferences, as well as time for personal prayer. It's perfect for those who are learning to incorporate the program of life and a daily prayer routine into daily living. 

The Ignatian Weekend Retreat is conducted in silence and includes generous amounts of time for prayerful silence, prayer, reflection and the cultivation of a deep relationship with God.

Experience the essentials of the Spiritual Exercises in this intense weekend experience.

 

Dates 
    • October 4-6, 2024 | Women only | Register
      • Fall Retreat for Women 
      • Duration: Fri-Sun
      • Cost: $318 until Sep 27, after that $368
    • December 6-8, 2024 | Men and Women
    • Jan 30-Feb 2, 2025  | Women only | Register
      • Duration: Thur-Sun
      • This retreat coincides with Regnum Christi Women's Retreat
      • Cost: $424 until Jan 23, after that $475
    • Mar 21-23, 2025 | Men and Women 
    • Apr 3-6, 2025 | Men only |  Register
      • Lenten Retreat
      • Duration: Thur-Sun
      • This retreat coincides with Regnum Christi Men's Retreat
      • Cost: $424 until Mar 27, after that $475
    • Apr 11-13, 2025 | Women only  | Registration coming soon
      • Lenten Retreat
      • Duration: Fri-Sun
      • Cost: $318 until Apr 4, after that $368
    • Jun 6-8, 2025 | Men and Women  | Registration coming soon
      • Retreat (Fri-Sun)
      • Cost: $368
    • Jul 10-13, 2025 | Women only | Registration coming soon
      • Duration: Thur-Sun
      • coincides with Regnum Christi Women's Retreat and the Women's Week-Long Retreat
      • Cost: $475
    • Oct 3-5, 2025  | Women only | Registration coming soon
      • Duration: Fri-Sun
      • Cost: $368
    • December 5-7, 2025 | Men and Women  | Registration coming soon
      • Advent Retreat (Fri-Sun)
      • Cost: $368

Private Retreats, without direction, are available during the above weekends. Learn more here.

More info

  • Silence: We ask that retreatants keep exterior silence for their own benefit and to respect others.  We also encourage retreatants to keep interior silence by disconnecting from the noise of the world and unplugging from electronic devices for the duration of the retreat.  Keeping silence may sound daunting, but you will be in an interior dialogue with the Lord.  Note: complete silence cannot be guaranteed, especially during weekdays.

  • Schedule: Arrival is on Friday at 4:30 pm.  We begin with a welcome reception and dinner, allowing retreatants can get a chance to meet each other.  Silence begins after an introductory talk; Mass will be celebrated after the first meditation.  On Sunday we will conclude with the Celebration of Eucharist at 11:45 am, followed by lunch at 12:30 pm and departure by 1:30 pm. 

  • Meals: Healthy and balanced meals will be provided, and coffee, tea, fruit and snacks will be available throughout the retreat.  With the exception of the initial dinner and the concluding lunch, meals will be in silence.  Typically we listen to an audio book on themes correlated to the Spiritual Exercises or on the life of a saint.    

  • What to bring: You will have a private bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, showers are dormitory style on each floor.  Linens and towels are provided.  You will want to bring your personal toiletries and medications, comfortable clothes, and footwear for walking if you desire.  Notebooks and pens will be provided; bring your bible and rosary.  Additional reading material is not necessary as there will be plenty of content given in the directed meditations.                          

Typical Schedule Retreat:
(May change based on Retreat Master's advice.)

Day 1

  • 4:30 pm           Arrival, Check-in
  • 5:30                 Welcome Reception / Dinner
  • 6:45                 Introductory Conference
  • 7:15-7:30        Prepare for Mass 
  • 7:30-8:15        Mass
  • 8:15-8:30        Personal Time
  • 8:30-9:30        Meditation 
  • 9:30                 Night Prayers

Day 2 (and Day 3 for Thursday-Sunday Retreats)

  • 7:15-7:30 am   Morning Prayer 
  • 7:30 -8:00       Breakfast
  • 8:00 - 8:15      Personal Time
  • 8:15–9:15        Meditation
  • 9:15 - 9:45      Personal Time
  • 9:45 - 10:45     Conference
  • 10:45-11:00     Personal Time
  • 11:00-12:00 pm  Meditation
  • 12:00-12:35     Angelus & Lunch
  • 12:45-2:00      Free time
  • 2:00-3:00        Meditation 
  • 3:00-3:15        Personal Time
  • 3:15-4:00        Way of the Cross
  • 4:15-5:00        Mass
  • 5:00–5:15        Free Time
  • 5:15-6:00        Dinner
  • 6:00- 6:15       Free Time      
  • 6:15-7:15        Meditation
  • 7:15-7:45        Free Time
  • 7:45-8:30        Meditation
  • 8:30-9:30        Holy Hour / Confessions
  • 9:20-9:30        Benediction
  • 9:30                 Night Prayers

Final Day

  • 6:50-7:00 am   Morning Offering
  • 7:00-7:30        Breakfast
  • 7:30 -7:45       Personal Time
  • 7:45- 8:45       Meditation 
  • 8:45 -9:00       Personal Time
  • 9:00- 9:30       Conference
  • 9:30- 10:15     Work on Program of Life
  • 10:15-11:15    Meditation
  • 11:15-12:00pm Program of Life/Personal Time
  • 12:00-12:50    Mass
  • 1:00                 Lunch and conclusion in dining room, depart after lunch

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What should I bring?
    OLB will provide you with overnight accomodations, including linens, towels, retreat materials, and more. 
  • Do you really think I can be silent?
    “Let us not be afraid to be silent outside and inside ourselves, so that we are able not only to perceive God’s voice, but also the voice of the person next to us, the voices of others."  (Pope Benedict XVI, July 4, 2010.) 
    Silence does not equal boredom! It is one of the key elements to the success of any retreat. God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts and so it is necessary to maintain an external and internal silence.  Here are some tips to help you prepare and maintain silence during your retreat: Don’t bring any mobile or electronic devices, such as smart phones, laptops, etc. If absolutely necessary to have your phone, switch it to off or set it in airplane mode. Put all “pendings” and “to do” items in God’s hands…if you take care of His things, He’ll take care of yours!
  • Can I bring my infant?
    We love infants and small children, however they can be a distraction to you and others who are trying to focus during a silent retreat.  In order to keep the spirit of silence and prayer, we cannot accomodate infants or small children on our silent retreats.  Thank you for your understanding.