Get away for six full days of directed, silent retreat. The Week-Long Spiritual Exercises are for those well familiar with mental prayer, silence and the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. This longer format permits more personal prayer time. With longer periods of silence, you are challenged to stretch your soul, thus engage deeper intimacy with God. 

The preaching moments are meant to provide a general direction for the day, but not replace the retreatant's heart to heart diaologue with God.

With limited moments of preaching, when the general direction is given for the day, the retreatants are free to pray on their own. The retreat master and other spiritual directors are available for the daily colloquoy to help the retreatants detect the movements of the Holy Spirit.

The format for the retreat

•  Daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration
•  Each day, the retreat master will be available to attend the retreatants in colloquoy or dialogue. The purpose of this dialogue is to help the retreatant perceive the motions of the Holy Spirit during the week and follow His lead.
• Confession is always available and encouraged, as well as meeting in spiritual direction. 

This year, the content will focus directly on the original text of St. Ignatius' masterpiece, The Spiritual Exercises.  Highlights include:

• Daily conference with outline of the meditations or contemplation for that day, plus an explanation of the major themes of the exercises such as discernment of spirits, examen prayer, retreat election, modes of humility, etc.

• Follow the dynamic of the original spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius.

• To gain insight about how St. Ignatius drew from the lived experience of his conversion and spiritual journey to write this masterpiece of the exercises, his autobioagraphy will be featured during mealtimes.

• Newly revised workbook, complete with outline of each meditation or contemplation accompanied by sacred art to help you visualize the Gospel scenes, theological explanation of the major themes of the exercises, prayers for liturgy and private reflection as well as forms for your Rule of Life and Vocation Statement.

   

Fr. Peter Hopkins, LC 

Fr. Peter was born in Syracuse, New York.  He studied Liberal Arts at Thomas Aquinas College in California before entering the Legionaries of Christ in 1977.   He completed his philosophical and theological studies in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the University of St. Thomas Aquinas.  He has worked in Ireland and Mexico in the Catholic formation of youth and family. He was the founder and director of the Our Lady of Mt. Kisco Retreat & Family Center in New York.  Fr. Peter is currently the Program Director and Chaplain at Our Lady of Bethesda.  He was ordained by St. John Paul II along with his two younger brothers in St. Peter’s Basilica in 1991.  He also has a sister who is a Nashville Dominican.  

Schedule for the Week, 2021

(Updated: May 11, 2021. May be subject to changes.)

Day 1

• 5:00pm     Arrival
• 5:30          Dinner
• 7:00          Introductory Conference                            
• 8:00          Eucharistic Celebration                     
• 8:45          Exposition & Adoration, Points
• 9:15          Night Prayers, Benediction                 

Days 2-6

• 7:30am     Meditation 1
• 8:30          Breakfast
• 9:15          Conference
• 10:00        Meditation 2
• 12:00        Mass
• 12:45        Lunch / Rest
• 2:00          Meditation 3
• 4:30          Meditation 4
• 6:00          Dinner
• 8:00          Holy Hour
• 9:00          Compline & Benediction

Departure Day

• 7:30am     Mass
• 8:15          Breakfast
• 9:15          Depart         

What should I bring?
OLB will provide you with linens, towels & Retreat materials.  Here is a list of some things you may want to bring for your comfort:

• Toiletries
• Alarm clock
• casual clothes and dressier ones for Sunday Mass
• Bible
• Rosary

How should I prepare for this retreat?

• To begin this retreat well, we recommend that you try to have a transition period, leaving aside pressures that make the soul a little tense. Try to relax, putting your worries in the tabernacle with Jesus. Being relaxed, in a healthy sense, let's us be more receptive and open to God's part of the conversation. And His part is always the better part.

When should I arrive?

• Arrival time is 5pm on the first evening of the exercises and departure time is after breakfast on the final day. Feel free to arrive earlier to begin winding down from a busy schedule and transition into retreat mode. 

In-Person Option: $600 per person
In addition to the high-quality programming of our retreats, your registration fee includes retreat materials, meals, and lodging.

Cancellation/Refund/Transfer Policy

We understand that things happen in life requiring you to change your schedule To cancel your registration and request a refund, you must notify us at least 7 days before your scheduled retreat begins. Please keep in mind that all registrations include a non-refundable $75 processing fee. Cancellations made within 7 days of the retreat are 100% non-refundable.