RETREATS FOR PRIESTSRetreats
Around the Country... All Year Round
Sponsored by the Legionaries of Christ
Five-day mid-week Ignatian Spiritual Exercises for priests are being organized
for 2013 and 2014 according to regions. Please let us
know if you and your priest friends are interested in
a retreat in your region, and what time of year
is best for you. If there is sufficient interest, we
will schedule a retreat in your region at least 4
months in advance. Simply send an email with your contact
information and proposed date(s) to our webmaster with subject: Interest
in Ignatian Spiritual Exercises”. Some possible retreat centers are listed
below.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
of Loyola are a precious gem in the Church’s storehouse
of spiritual treasures. The dynamics of the exercises offer retreatants
a unique opportunity to make a deep, personal and lasting
re-commitment to Jesus Christ, to the priesthood, to personal holiness
and to the pastoral ministry. Directed meditations will be coupled
with spiritual conferences intended to serve as a genuine school
of prayer and growth in the ways of the interior
life. The daily schedule includes Eucharist concelebration, Stations of the
Cross, Eucharistic adoration with Benediction, and Evening Prayer in common.
A spirit of silence is encouraged, and there is plenty
of time for personal prayer and reflection. There will be
ample opportunities for general confession as well as for personal
spiritual direction. The retreats are for Roman Catholic priests and
deacons preparing for the priesthood.
•EAST
New York City area
Our Lady
of Thornwood Retreat Center
582 Columbus Avenue
Thornwood, NY 10594
(914) 749-3900
Photos: http://catholicplaces.org/legionaries.htm
Distance to the following airports: Westchester
County Airport/White Plains (15 minutes); LaGuardia airport (45 minutes); JFK
or Newark airports (75 minutes).
Washington DC area
Our Lady of Bethesda Retreat Center
7007 Bradley
Blvd.
Bethesda, MD 20817
(301) 365-0612
www.ourladyofbethesda.org
•CENTRAL
Queen of the Family Retreat
Center
751 West Drahner Road
Oxford, Michigan 48371
(248) 628-5560
www.queenofthefamily.org
•WEST
San Jose, CA area
Our Lady of Santa Clara Retreat Center
22840 Mercedes Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 296-5180
www.ourladyofsantaclara.org
2013
January 21-25
Cost: $550
$100 non-refundable deposit required to
reserve spot
. . . . .
. . . . . . .
Daily Schedule
Includes concelebration of the Eucharist, directed
meditations with time for private prayer, conferences, Stations of the
Cross, Benediction, and the opportunity for confession and spiritual direction.
Words of Praise
“The
Sacerdos team has raised the bar for priest retreats and
offers a welcome change from the typical retreat.
The essential elements—solemn liturgy,
prayerful silence, challenging scripturally-based talks—are thoughtfully in place at Thornwood
to help ensure an edifying, memorable experience.”
-Fr.
Doug Crawford, Archdiocese of New York
“The demands of the priesthood today
tempt us to feel we cannot spare time away for
a retreat. Nothing could be further from the truth. The
Sacerdos spiritual exercises are an excellent means to renew yourself
spiritually. With daily Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, meditations, conferences,
Rosary and Stations of the Cross, there are numerous opportunities
to feed your soul and strengthen your priesthood.
The warm hospitality makes you feel
welcome. There is abundant time for personal prayer, guided by
a spiritual director, if desired.
Those whom we serve deserve having their
priest deeply in love with Christ, His Blessed Mother, and
the Church. The Sacerdos retreats help us to be the
good shepherds Christ wants.”
-Fr. Stephen Savel, Diocese
of London, Ontario, Canada
“The retreat was excellent.
The directed meditations by the retreat director gave material that
was well suited for personal prayer, focusing on Jesus Christ,
His Church, and priestly life. Having some of the common
prayers together with the Legionary brothers contributed to the prayerful
atmosphere.”
-Fr. Walter Werbylo, CSB. St. Augustine’s Seminary,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
“It was an
extraordinary, uplifting experience of the soul. I was reminded once
again of the incredible gift that was bestowed on me—and
on all priests—on the day of ordination.
We priests are true apostles, sent by
God to heal, teach and sanctify His people. We are
not alone in this holy endeavor; we can rely on
Jesus’ help all the days of our lives. I hope
that my other brother priests can take some time from
their daily duties to participate in a retreat offered by
the Sacerdos Institute.”
-Fr. Jose A. Sequeira, Archdiocese
of Chicago
“To my fellow diocesan priests: I will now return
to my parishes and communities, renewed and full of vigor
to serve the people of God with a stronger sense
of service; to serve Christ and His people through the
“breaking of the bread.”
-Fr. Keith P. Morrison,
Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada
"I highly recommend the retreat with the Legionaries of Christ
at Thornwood. I participated in the spiritual exercises and found
them to be everything I had hoped. The setting was
inspiring; the retreat reflections were very suited to the group
of priests, and the time for silence, private and communal
devotions. and the support of the community was of great
benefit. As a diocesan priest I usually make the 4
day retreat with the priests of our Archdiocese at one
of our summer retreats but I find it beneficial to
join with priests from various parts of the country on
occasion. I have been ordained thirty-seven years and the retreat
at Thornwood was one of the best by far."
-Fr. Mike Fitzpatrick, Archdiocese of Omaha, NE
"I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity
of making 2 retreats at Thornwood and I have found
them to be an excellent means of renewal for my
priesthood. The Ignatian method, combined with the atmosphere of silence,
I find gives me a great opportunity to deepen my
personal relationship with God. The presence of so many young
men in formation and the opportunity of sharing in some
of their spiritual exercises really gives me a sense of
hope for the future. After 37 years of priesthood it
is great to be surrounded by so many young people
who are enthusiastic about priestly ministry. I would recommend Thornwood
to anyone who is interested in renewing their own spiritual
life and their commitment to ordained ministry."
-Fr.
Kevin Maloney, Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
"The retreat was diligent in its time commitment for conferences
and prayers, but flexible with opportunities to rest, read and
experience a true renewal."
-Msgr Patrick E. Brown,
Diocese of Paterson, NJ
"The Legion retreat has
helped me to grow in gospel charity, priestly fraternity and
personal holiness."
-Fr Richard Mullins, Diocese of Arlington,
VA
"I would recommend these retreats to priests
from all over the world. In my work and travels
I intend to tell my fellow priests about the retreats
and how much I benefited spiritually. I pray that they
will one day all come and have a great experience
with God."
-Fr John Zilimu, Newman Center, University
of Illinois
"I give praise to God from
my priestly soul for this experience, and as the days
are unfolding since coming home on Friday, I realize where
I was and where I am now. The fruits are
already coming and the people could tell on Sunday!!"
-Fr Luis Rodriguez, Diocese of Harrisburg, PA
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