What is a Retreat?

There is no one definition for a retreat, and the same retreat will mean different things for different people. For everyone, however, it is a time of rest and prayer – a time to grow closer to God.  

Loyola Jesuit Center has a variety of retreat offerings and spiritual programs to meet you where you are on your spiritual journey toward a deeper friendship with God. We offer programs that will provide experiences of listening to God in the silence of our prayerful environment and beautiful gardens -- or, as another option, listening for God's voice in the sacred experiences shared by our brothers and sisters in faith. We offer our retreats for men, for women, and for men and women together.

Our most popular, traditional retreat is the Silent Weekend Retreat which begins on Friday evening and concludes midday on Sunday after Mass and lunch. Every retreat is led by an experienced retreat director who will offer a series of points for prayer during the weekend based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. For those who have never experienced a silent retreat, the idea of complete silence may seem intimidating! But the opportunity to reflect on God's presence and goodness and finding there new directions for a witness of faith always receives "Four Stars" on our evaluations. In silence is the invitation for deep and meaningful spiritual reflection and discovery.

In this retreat option there are opportunities for spiritual consultation with a Spiritual Director, plus sharing in group devotions (Stations of the Cross, praying the Rosary, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and a Healing Mass) and personal devotions (silent meditation and prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, and celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation).

Another model for our retreats uses the same schedule and Liturgical and Devotional scaffolding of the Silent Retreat, but, for those who wish it, time for small and large group sharing as well. Conversation will be welcomed after each of our sessions, in the pathways and benches of our gardens, and at mealtimes. Appointments with spiritual directors will not be a part of this weekend retreat.

Choose an option that seems best for you... or choose both during the year! Watch for the specific details of the retreat when you register. Call us with any questions.