The Latin word retiro exemplifies what a spiritual retreat should be, it means “I withdraw.”
A spiritual retreat is a period of time spent dedicated to prayer and penance, with the aim of drawing closer to God and striving for Christian perfection. This practice dates back to the early days of Christianity, epitomized by Jesus spending 40 days in the desert after His baptism, and it has been emulated by many throughout Church history.
The concept of spiritual retreats has been recommended by various Church Fathers and ecclesiastical writers, notably with St. Ignatius Loyola restoring and popularizing the practice through his "Spiritual Exercises."
Over time, spiritual retreats have evolved into various formats to cater to different groups, including priests and deacons, religious communities, laypeople and even specific professions or life stages, such as employees, students, engaged couples or those about to be confirmed.
As a member of the clergy, I am required by canon law to attend a yearly spiritual retreat. I prefer week-long retreats, usually in an abbey or monastery. This type of retreat is usually experienced in solitude and silence. They can be directed, that is with a format and talks by the monks, or self-directed, where you make up your own daily schedule.
I prefer the self-directed version, and I have experienced several over the years. Recently, I spent a week at Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma. There, in typical Benedictine manner, the monks pray the Liturgy of the Hours eight times a day, periodically from 5:15 a.m. to 8:25 p.m. On retreats of this kind, I typically try to join the monks during each hour, but this time it was somewhat more challenging, since there, they pray the hours in Latin. I never excelled in Latin in high school, and neither did I do so at Clear Creek. Thankfully, the breviary had an English translation.
Be that as it may, this retreat was very moving and spiritually uplifting. What was particularly edifying was the fact that I was joined by more than 30 college students who chose to spend their spring break in prayer and meditation there, rather than the usual spring break shenanigans.
But, this type of retreat is not for everyone, and the Church has many other types available.
There are ACTS retreats, which are parish-based and directed primarily by lay men and women.
ACTS retreats are active and participatory. Activities conducted during the weekend give retreatants a better understanding of the significance and importance of prayer, liturgy, the sacraments, Scripture, community and service.
There are also themed and directed retreats like those offered at Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford. Each season, they create a weekend experience that focuses on an inspiring and thought-provoking theme to fill the spiritual needs of their retreatants.
So whether you attend a themed, preached, directed or private retreat — whether in a monastery, retreat center or even a private retreat in your home — the Church encourages participation in spiritual retreats as a means to grow in virtue, strengthen sanctity and derive more benefits from the sacred liturgy. Ultimately, a spiritual retreat serves as a focused period of reflection and renewal, aiming to deepen one's relationship with God and enhance one’s journey toward holiness.
By Deacon Ben Locasto