Seven Retreats will be held this summer at Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe.
Self-Directed Retreat
Rev. Robert Keffer
May 15-17, 2015
This retreat is designed as a self-directed retreat weekend. There are no conferences. Retreatants are welcome to pray and to attend mass with the monastic community. There are opportunities for spiritual direction from Father Robert Keffer and others.
Retreat master Father Robert Keffer studied theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, as well as The Angelicum, Rome. He is a hospital chaplain at Excela Health, Latrobe.
Benedictine Spirituality
The Corpse Revived
Rev. Jeffrey Nyardy, O.S.B.
May 29-31, 2015
It is true that we can only change ourselves and not others but, often, others can inspire us to change through their love for us. This retreat will explore the parable of the Prodigal Son and how God’s love can work through our brothers and sisters to bring us to a conversion of heart—an essential theme of Benedictine spirituality.
Retreat master Father Jeffrey Nyardy, O.S.B., is junior master at Saint Vincent Archabbey. He was a member of the faculty and staff at Benedictine Priory and Military High School, Savannah, Georgia, for 19 years.
Charismatic Prayer Retreat
The Joy of the Holy Spirit
Rev. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B.
June 12-14, 2015
Pope Francis said, “The charismatic renewal is a great force meant to serve the preaching of the Gospel in the joy of the Holy Spirit.” (Address to the 37th National Convocation of the Charismatic renewal June 1, 2014). In this retreat we will reflect on the joy of the Holy Spirit and how better to “preach” the Gospel with that joy in our daily lives. During the retreat there will be an opportunity to receive personal prayer ministry (to be prayed over) in addition to Confession, Masses, and talks. May the Lord fill us with joy and renew our zeal for the mission!
Retreat Master: Father Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., was ordained to the priesthood in 2004. He has served as an adjunct faculty member at Saint Vincent College and assists with programming at WAOB Radio.
Silent Retreat
The Practice of Christian Discipleship:
Timeless Wisdom for All Christians
Rev. Edward Mazich, O.S.B.
June 19-21, 2015
This retreat will examine several of the essential practices on which Christian discipleship has traditionally rested, namely: self-discipline, works of charity, restraint of speech, heartfelt prayer, and trust in God’s redeeming mercy. Practical advice will be offered which will help all who strive to be faithful disciples of Jesus to enter more deeply into the mystery of Christian life, and to focus clearly on these simple yet effective means of doing so.
Father Edward Mazich, O.S.B., is a faculty member and director of Human Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary. He co-authors the Sunday Homily column appearing in The Catholic Accent and Jednota.
Silent Retreat
Actively Seeking A Fresh Anointing
Rev. Shawn Matthew Anderson, O.S.B.
June 26-28, 2015
One might think that a “life in the Spirit” is confined to those who express the specific charismatic gifts described in the 12th chapter of Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Not so! According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, life in the Holy Spirit fulfills everyone’s vocation, is made up of divine charity and human solidarity, and is graciously offered to us as salvation.
Any time God calls us to accomplish some task to build His Kingdom, He pours out a “fresh anointing” of the Spirit, providing the power and gifts to bring the task to completion. This weekend we will actively pray for an anointing of the Spirit and wait, with Mary in the Upper Room, for that unique enlightenment that comes only from the Spirit of the Living God.
Father Shawn Matthew Anderson, O.S.B., ordained in 2007, teaches in the Biology Department at Saint Vincent College.
Men’s Retreat
Love God By Transforming Your Life
Rev. Bonaventure Curtis, O.S.B.
July 17-19, 2015
Our contemporary world confuses pleasure with happiness. We are told that money, travel, pleasure, power, and other attractions will make us happy. However, no matter how hard we try, such allurements never satisfy us. But Jesus teaches us the path to abiding happiness. This three day retreat for Catholic men will examine the core of Jesus’ teachings through lectures, group discussion, and one-on-one counseling with the retreat master.”
Father Bonaventure Curtis, O.S.B., is on the business school faculty at Saint Vincent College, while also serving as director of development for Saint Vincent Archabbey and Seminary.
Father Son Retreat
The New Evangelization
In The Lives Of Men
Father Killian Loch, O.S.B.
July 24-26, 2015
What is the New Evangelization? We will look at the development of the call for a New Evangelization from Saint John Paul II, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to Pope Francis.
How can we embrace the New Evangelization in our lives for a deeper personal conversion? The challenge is to look within ourselves so as to discern whether our beliefs have shifted away from the teachings of the Sacred Scriptures and of the Church.
How do we touch the lives of others through the New Evangelization? Through prayer, discernment of our particular gifts, and a survey of various methods of the New Evangelization, we can become aware of the ways that we can announce and share the faith we profess.
Father Killian Loch, O.S.B., is director of Campus Ministry at Saint Vincent College and co-authors the Sunday Homily column appearing in The Catholic Accent and Jednota.