Greetings from Saint Vincent!
A retreat can be a catalyst for spiritual renewal and for concentrating on God’s purpose for our earthly existence. The monks of Saint Vincent Archabbey have tended to the spiritual needs of Christian men and women for over one hundred fifty years and have been involved in retreat ministry since 1913.
Three Archabbey summer retreats will be offered on campus in 2023. We will also look to expand our retreat program offerings, such as the one for health care professionals on March 18.
Saint Vincent Archabbey was founded in 1846 by Boniface Wimmer of Germany and is the first Benedictine monastery in North America. The monks of the abbey serve as retreat masters, spiritual directors, confessors, the program director, and retreat program assistants.
If you are interested in a retreat and you have special dietary or other accommodation needs, please do not hesitate to contact me at the retreat office.
We hope that in 2023 you will be healthy and safe.
Father Shawn Matthew Anderson, O.S.B., Retreat Director
Saint Vincent Retreat Program
Saint Vincent Archabbey
300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650
724.805.2139
info@saintvincentretreats.org
2023 Retreats
Three Archabbey retreats are being offered on campus in 2023.
Retreatmasters for the year will be Father Nathanael Polinski, O.S.B., Father Donald Raila, O.S.B., and Father Alfred Patterson, O.S.B.
Retreat Master:
Father Nathanael Polinski, O.S.B., is an assistant professor of Sacred Scripture and Biblical Languages at Saint Vincent Seminary and also teaches in the seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation and as a member of the adjunct faculty at Saint Vincent College. He is the author of That the Scriptures Might Be Fulfilled Through Perfect Worship: An Investigation of John 19:36-37.
WEEKEND RETREAT: JULY 14-16, 2023 (MEN’S RETREAT)
PUT OUT INTO THE DEEP (LUKE 5:4)
Retreat Description:
As Jesus instructed Peter to put out into the deep to enable Peter to grow in his trust in, and his relationship with, Jesus. So Jesus calls each of us to put out into the deep with him so that we might do the same. Father Nathanael will provide Lectio-Divina-type reflections on passages from Sacred Scripture as the bases for the conferences and to foster prayer with Scripture passages between the conferences as a means for the retreatants to respond to Jesus’ invitation to each of them to put out into the deep and so to experience a time of rest and renewal in the Lord as he speaks to them through Sacred Scripture.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Visit this link to register.
Time: Friday, 5:30 p.m. to Sunday, 1 p.m.
Fee: $190 per person.
Check-In: 3 to 5:30 p.m. Leander Hall.
Other Information: To help make your retreat prayerful, we suggest that you bring a Bible. The retreat office has copies of the New American Bible. The Basilica Gift Shop, located on the first floor of the Parish Center adjoining the Basilica, stocks spiritual books and other religious items. Rooms are air conditioned or equipped with a ceiling fan. Linens and towels are provided. Recreational opportunities include the Saint Vincent Fitness Trail and the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve.
Retreat Master:
Father Donald Raila, O.S.B., has served as director of the Oblates of Saint Benedict since 1988. He is the author of three books, the latest being Joy in the Life of a Follower of St. Benedict: An Exploration of Joy in Lent and in the Whole of Christian Life. He has also edited two books.
WEEKEND RETREAT: JULY 21-23 2023 (BENEDICTINE SPIRITUALITY)
AVOIDING THE ‘EVIL OF GRUMBLING’: LIVING IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
Retreat Description:
This retreat will offer conferences on Saint Benedict’s references to “grumbling” (or “murmuring”) in the Holy Rule, on his remedies for this “evil”, and an practical applications for our lives today.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
This retreat is now full.
Time: Friday, 5:30 p.m. to Sunday, 1 p.m.
Fee: $190 per person.
Check-In: 3 to 5:30 p.m. Leander Hall.
Other Information: To help make your retreat prayerful, we suggest that you bring a Bible. The retreat office has copies of the New American Bible. The Basilica Gift Shop, located on the first floor of the Parish Center adjoining the Basilica, stocks spiritual books and other religious items. Rooms are air conditioned or equipped with a ceiling fan. Linens and towels are provided. Recreational opportunities include the Saint Vincent Fitness Trail and the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve.
Retreat Master:
Father Alfred Patterson, O.S.B., served in the United States Air Force prior to entering the monastery. After obtaining degrees from Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Seminary, he has served at Benedictine Priory and Military School in Savannah, at a number of different parishes, and is presently chaplain at Latrobe Excela Health.
WEEKEND RETREAT: JULY 28-30, 2023 (FOR MEN AND WOMEN)
MORE SAINTS ALIVE!
Retreat Description:
This retreat will reflect upon the wonderful stories of saints of North America. Lives of saints such as Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint John Neuman and others will be explored. The notion of our call to saintliness will be included, with a particular emphasis on how insights from these saints can help us remain rooted in the truths revealed in the Bible, in Jesus Christ, and in the Sacraments.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Visit this link to register.
Time: Friday, 5:30 p.m. to Sunday, 1 p.m.
Fee: $190 per person.
Check-In: 3 to 5:30 p.m. Leander Hall.
Other Information: To help make your retreat prayerful, we suggest that you bring a Bible. The retreat office has copies of the New American Bible. The Basilica Gift Shop, located on the first floor of the Parish Center adjoining the Basilica, stocks spiritual books and other religious items. Rooms are air conditioned or equipped with a ceiling fan. Linens and towels are provided. Recreational opportunities include the Saint Vincent Fitness Trail and the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve.
Virtual Retreats
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, with the regular retreat program cancelled, Saint Vincent Archabbey offered two virtual retreats, The Parables of Jesus and The Biblical Theology of King David, which are still available via our Vimeo® channel. See below for descriptions and links.
Retreat Master:
Father Wulfstan Clough, O.S.B., has been a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey for 30 years. He is associate professor of English at Saint Vincent College.
THE PARABLES OF JESUS
Retreat Description:
We are all familiar with Jesus’ parables—or we think we are. But understanding His parables in the context of his time reveals hidden meanings and deeper, more challenging implications. During this retreat we will carefully read, examine, and pray through several of Jesus’ parables, and see how understanding many of the details adds to the messages they convey.
Retreat Master:
Father Edward Mazich, O.S.B., is a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey and professor of Sacred Scripture, Systematic Theology, and Biblical Languages at Saint Vincent Seminary, where he serves as rector.
THE BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF KING DAVID
Retreat Description:
David is one of the most colorful and fascinating figures in the Bible. Whether we look to him as embodying triumph or tragedy, or both, King David was a man of such importance that Christ himself was likened to him. This retreat will take up themes of David’s selection by God as King of Israel, his struggles with Goliath figures—both literal and figurative—during his reign, his sins and repentance, and finally his pre-figuring of Jesus Christ, the “Son of David.”
If you are struggling with God’s call, with a Goliath figure in your own life, or with the roller coaster of sin, alienation, and forgiveness, this retreat may bring you new insights into an intensely holy—and utterly human—forerunner of the Lord.
Registration
Our in-person retreats begin on Friday evening. Dinner is at 5:35 p.m., followed by Mass and/or a conference. On each full day of the retreat, Mass is celebrated in the morning and three conferences are held. Retreatants may participate in the Divine Office with the monastic community. The sacrament of Reconciliation is also offered. The celebration of Mass on Sunday, followed by the final conference and lunch, concludes the retreat. To help make your retreat prayerful, we suggest that you bring a Bible. The retreat office has copies of the New American Bible. The Basilica Gift Shop, located on the first floor of the Parish Center adjoining the Basilica, stocks spiritual books and other religious items. Rooms are either air-conditioned or equipped with a ceiling fan. Linens and towels are provided. Recreational opportunities include the Saint Vincent Fitness Trail and the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve.
Directions
From Ebensburg, Johnstown, State College and points east: Take Route 22 west to the Route 217 exit at Blairsville, Indiana County. Follow Route 217 south for 13 miles to its terminus at Route 30 in Derry Township. Turn right on Route 30 west for approximately four miles through approximately five traffic lights to Saint Vincent Drive. Turn right on Saint Vincent Drive. Bear right at the intersection with Brouwers Drive and go 1/2 mile to the campus entrance. Turn left and stop at the Entrance Booth for parking information and further direction.
From St. Marys, Punxsutawney, DuBois, and points northeast: Take Route 119 south to Blairsville, Indiana County. Exit onto Route 22 west and follow for approximately two miles until the exit for Route 217. Follow Route 217 south for 13 miles to its terminus at Route 30 in Derry Township. Turn right on Route 30 west for approximately four miles through approximately five traffic lights to Saint Vincent Drive. Turn right on Saint Vincent Drive. Bear right at the intersection with Brouwers Drive and go 1/2 mile to the campus entrance. Turn left and stop at the Entrance Booth for parking information and further direction.
From Pittsburgh, Ohio and points west: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-76 east, to exit 67 (old exit 7) Irwin/North Huntingdon, bear right at the exit ramp and take U.S. Route 30 East 15 miles. At the stop light at Saint Vincent Drive, turn left onto Fraser Purchase Road (unmarked), go 1/2 mile, and turn left onto campus. Stop at the Entrance Booth for parking information and further direction.
From Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New Jersey and points east: Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-76 West, to exit 91 (old exit 9) Donegal, take Pennsylvania Route 711 North to junction with U.S. Route 30 in Ligonier, take Route 30 West 10.4 miles to the stop light at Saint Vincent Drive, turn right onto Fraser Purchase Road (unmarked), go 1/2 mile, and turn left onto campus. Stop at the Entrance Booth for parking information and further direction.
From Erie, Buffalo and points north: Take Interstate 79 south to its junction with I-76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, at gate 28 (old gate 3) Cranberry/Perry Highway. Take I-76 east to exit 67 (old exit 7) Irwin/North Huntingdon, bear right at the exit ramp and take U.S. Route 30 East 15 miles. At the stop light at Saint Vincent Drive, turn left onto Fraser Purchase Road (unmarked), go 1/2 mile, and turn left onto campus. Stop at the entrance Booth for parking information and further direction.
From Baltimore, Washington and points south: Take Interstate 70 west to its junction with I-76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, at gate 161 (old gate 12) Breezewood, proceed on I-76 west to exit 91 (old exit 9) Donegal, take Pennsylvania Route 711 North to its junction with U.S. Route 30 in Ligonier, take Route 30 West 10.4 miles to the stop light at Saint Vincent Drive, turn right onto Fraser Purchase Road (unmarked), go 1/2 mile and turn left onto campus. Stop at the Entrance Booth for parking information and further direction.
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