RETREAT
What is an Ignatian Silent Retreat
“Come away with me, by yourselves, to a deserted place and rest for a while.” - Mark 6:31.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta once said: “We need to find God and God cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees and flowers and grass—grow in silence. See the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life.”
When you enter into a silent retreat, you are leaving behind the noises and distractions of daily living, and you are entering into an intentional “communion” with God. Silence offers the space for you to become more interiorly aware of, and be connected to God.
The call from God is very gentle, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). If you are not used to silence, it can at first seem intimidating, but once you have entered into it, God will touch you in healing and loving ways.
In the words of Venerable Bruno Lanteri, “There is nothing in this world so valuable as spending several days peacefully occupied only with the great matters in life: God, the soul and eternity.”
Kingsmead Centre offers silent retreats of various duration, for example, a Day of Recollection (DOR) from 10am to 5pm, or short Individually-Guided Retreats (IGR) ranging from two days to eight days.
The full Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola (30-35 days) or (30 weeks) retreat programme and its adaptation, is also available but subject to acceptance by the interviewing panel. Request and application should be directed to the Director of Kingsmead Centre.
All retreatants at Kingsmead Centre will be accompanied by one of the trained spiritual directors on our team. The rhythm of each day includes personal prayer time (3 to 4 prayer periods a day), quiet contemplation, practising the Daily Examen and a daily meeting with your assigned spiritual director. Your spiritual director will offer materials for your prayer and reflection. Silence is observed throughout the length of your retreat, except during the meeting with your spiritual director.
Please access the application forms for the various retreats at Kingsmead Centre from our website.
Individual Guided Retreat (IGR):
Day of Recollection (DoR):
Group IGR/DoR: please send email request to Kingsmead Center: kc-info@mas-jesuits.org