Life is full of challenges. We need help with: forgiveness; compassion; kindness; and also stress; polarization; divisions; and anger.  There are no shortage of voices, methods, and ways of “hacking” our biology or our brains to help cope with many of these issues. But do any of those work for the long term?  

The Saint Vincent Retreat program is offering a new series of Spiritual Wellness Days that provide insights from various disciplines and spiritualities as well as opportunities to build connections with God and others. The Spiritual Wellness Days will be offered on a quarterly basis for a full year. There are no quick fixes to life.  These wellness days and the yearly focus allows you the space and time to understand the problem and tap into the solution—the love of God.  Feel free to attend one, some, or all of these days of reflection designed to address the concerns of our day from a variety of perspectives.

People these days seem more upset than ever.  In 2024, we will meet quarterly to talk about anger from not only the psychological/spiritual perspective, but through the lens of scripture.  Anger is nothing new to this world.  How we deal with our own anger and the anger of others will be viewed through Ignatian spirituality, and from the viewpoint of the ancient monastic fathers.

Saturday, April 27, 2024
Am I Right? What Makes us Mad!

Benedictine monk and priest, Father Francois Diouf, will facilitate a day of reflection, discussion, and integration of insights from psychology and monastic spirituality to help process anger.  Talk about what makes us angry and why.  Can we see the world with a different perspective? How did the apostles act?  What did St. Paul have to say to the early Christians communities that were all dealing with conflict? 

Father Francois Diouf, O.S.B.

Schedule: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fee: $35

Check-In: 11-11:30 a.m., ground floor of the barn at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, PA 15650.

This retreat was completed.

Saturday, July 13, 2024

What Made Jesus Angry?

Benedictine monk and priest, Father Edward Mazich, will facilitate a day of reflection, discussion, and integration of insights from scriptures.  Anger sometimes is appropriate. Jesus rebuked his disciples, the Pharisees, and those in government.  Injustice and oppression drew Jesus’ ire.  Compare that to how did Jesus treat those who sinned, were cast aside, hurt him, and were ignorant?  How do we be more like Jesus?

Father Edward Mazich, O.S.B. is rector of Saint Vincent Seminary and also a professor of sacred scripture. He writes and publishes at both the popular and academic levels, and is active in retreat ministry, frequently offering retreats for laity, religious, and clergy. He is also an associate editor of The Bible Today.

Schedule: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fee: $35

Check-In: 11-11:30 a.m., ground floor of the barn at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, PA 15650.

Saturday, October 5, 2024
The Power of Affectivity: Ignatian Perspectives on Anger, Emotions, and Encountering God

Jesuit priest Father Paul O’Connor draws upon the wisdom of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola to provide a framework within which attendees will be able to identify the movements of anger within the heart and re-frame them as doorways to a deeper encounter with God.

Father Paul O’Connor, S.J.  is a Jesuit priest and the Director of Mission & Identity at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Cleveland, Ohio where he is a retreat director, teacher, and presenter for a variety of Ignatian retreats, especially the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Father O’Connor has done extensive training in Ignatian spirituality and retreat direction. He conducts life transitions retreats, assists people with Ignatian discernment and decision making, and leads Ignatian retreats and programs with the homeless.

Schedule: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fee: $35

Check-In: 11-11:30 a.m., ground floor of the barn at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, PA 15650.

February 1, 2025
Quenching the Thirst of Anger from the Oases of Wisdom of the Desert Fathers

Father Justin Matro, Benedictine monk and priest, will draw upon the wisdom that the monastic desert fathers discovered in their striving with the anger of their day to lead attendees along the pathways that lead to peace as they strive to navigate an increasingly angry and divisive culture today.  Does civility mean weakness, or is it a strength?

Father Justin Matro, O.S.B. is pastor of Saint Bartholomew Parish, Crabtree and assistant professor of spiritual theology at Saint Vincent Seminary. He is a frequent retreat master and presenter, and has also been active with the local food bank and the local homeless shelter, the Union Mission, where he was board president for a number of years. He has been involved with formation at Saint Vincent Seminary and also served as its rector for a number of years. He is also known for his culinary skills.

Schedule: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fee: $35

Check-In: 11-11:30 a.m., ground floor of the barn at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, PA 15650.