Today I’m heading out to lovely Petersham, Massachusetts for a two-night retreat at the Maronite Monks of Adoration monastery. It’s been many a year since I did a monastic retreat; actually I used to do them fairly regularly – at least once or twice a year; usually for two or three nights. Having not done one for quite a while I’ve got that mix of anticipation, joy, and apprehension. It’ll be interesting, that’s for certain.

Back then, it was Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY or the Society of St. John the Evangelist monastery in Cambridge, MA. Those two monasteries, both Episcopal in the Benedictine tradition (yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as monateries in the Episcopal Church!), remain wonderful places to get away from the world and explore one’s desire for intimacy with God. However, given my current inclination towards the Roman Catholic tradition, I thought it important to not only try something different, but a Roman Catholic order where Eucharistic adoration is at the core of its spirituality. So, we’ll give it a try.

Has anyone ever blogged during a monastic retreat? I’m sure, but I kinda think that defeats the whole purpose of the retreat to begin with. I mean, for God’s sake (really!), why bother then to even get away? But don’t worry, I’ve still prepared a couple of posts in the spirit of the time I’m retreating.

I’m looking forward to removing myself from the world for a little while and will try and tell you all about it when I emerge – hopefully rested in body and spirit. But retreats can be kind of funny; you never know what will happen when it’s just you, your conscience and thoughts, and a quiet place filled with spiritual energy. I’ve discovered that every retreat is different; you just have to run with it and let them take their own unique course. So we’ll see what happens.

If you’re so inclined please keep me in your prayers, and I’ll be happy to do likewise.