Each year monasteries typically have some days of what is called a “community retreat.” It is a time with an altered daily schedule, affording more time for silence, solitude, prayer and reading. We carry on our round of the Divine Office and Conventual Mass each day, but apart from that, we try to observe silence and quiet work, indoors or out.
This year our annual retreat will begin on Sunday evening, November 14th, and conclude on Friday night, November 19th.
Twice a day during the retreat we will gather as a community in our Chapter (meeting) Room to listen to spiritual conferences of about half an hour each, given this year by Father Joel Rippinger, OSB, of Marmion Abbey, in Aurora, Illinois, nor far from Chicago. Father Joel has been a friend of ours for many years and we are happy to welcome him back.
Please keep all of us there in your prayers during our days of retreat. Thank you and we keep you in our thoughts and prayers as well.
Abbot Christian and the monks
