Retreat Information
Information for Order of Malta Retreat/Spiritual Exercises July 11-14, 2024
WHAT
This is a time for personal reflection and growth. You are welcome to attend all of liturgies, talks and community events, but you can also skip any of the sessions and enjoy time for personal reflection. Our goal is to provide opportunity, not obligation.
WHERE
All activities will be at St. Patrick’s Seminary.
WHEN
Activities begin Thursday, July 11th at 6:00 p.m. with vespers in the Order of Malta chapel. Friday, July 12th we will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a rosary in the adoration chapel, then Mass and speaker sessions in the morning, including a tour of St. Patrick’s.
WHEN
Activities begin Thursday, July 11th at 6:00 p.m. with vespers in the Order of Malta chapel. Friday, July 12th we will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a rosary in the adoration chapel, then Mass and speaker sessions in the morning, including a tour of St. Patrick’s.
The retreat formally begins Friday at 1:30 p.m. with an official welcome and the first plenary session. Your registration covers all these activities.
CHECK-IN
There will be a check-in/registration table on Friday morning at the front of St. Patrick’s where you can sign in on your first day of attendance. If you arrive later, the table will be inside the front door of St. Patrick’s
DRESSCODE
This is a retreat, so the dress is casual. Not gym casual; more like “dinner at the neighborhood Italian restaurant” casual. You might bring something a little nicer for Sunday Mass. It is expected to be warm, but we’ll mostly be indoors; so plan accordingly. We’ll have dinner outside on Saturday evening.
ROBES/CAPES
Robes and capes will not be worn.
WIFI
Wi-Fi is available at St. Patrick’s. The network is “Guest Wireless”, and the password is v1Sit0r320 (note the second symbol is a one, and the round symbols are zeros)
PARKING
If you’re driving each day, there is parking in front of St. Patrick’s. There is additional parking on both sides of the building. Do not park in spaces marked “Reserved.”Except for a youth baseball tournament on the ball field Saturday, we will be the only outside group on the campus.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We have links to register at the Vallombrosa retreat house, which is about a mile from St. Patrick’s, as well as the Menlo Park Inn which is about three miles away.
Click here for accommodations information.
TRANSPORTATION
There will be a passenger van that will pick up anyone staying at Menlo Park Inn or Vallombrosa. It will make a round in the morning, at noon, and before and after dinner. Details of the times will be forwarded to you.
MEALS
The cost of all meals except Thursday evening dinner are included in your registration. Thursday dinner will be at a local restaurant, or you can dine on your own. Other meals will be in the refectory on campus; but as Saturday is a busy day, breakfast will be in Santa Maria Hall.
ROSARY
Bring your rosary as we will be saying it in community each morning.
ADORATION
Perpetual adoration is available in the adoration chapel at St. Patrick’s
CONFESSION
Confession is available each day before or after lunch and before evening prayer. We will provide the locations of priests hearing confessions.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
You can sign up for spiritual direction at the registration table.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the cross are available at any time. They are outside in the “left main groves” which are located to the left of the main building if you’re looking at it from the front. As you enter the path, you’ll see the first station and you can follow the path for the remainder. On Saturday after lunch, there will be a group doing the stations of the cross.
COMPLAINTS
Complaints can be directed to prayer. Waiting time varies.
