Making a Jesuit retreat, shut up

It’s good for you.

Ignatian spirituality begs for more silence, not less
written by Paul , July 03, 2013
“Younger retreatants want shorter retreats with less silence and more interaction…” except Ignatian spirituality works best with more silence. Perhaps the young don’t know what’s ultimately good for them.
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Landscape Designer
written by Joe Drexler , July 05, 2013

I went on my first jesuit retreat when I was 18 years old with my father. My dad told me what to expect, but I still was not prepared for it. I could not believe that no one would talk to each other for days. My first day was an adjustment to say the least. No phones, no tv, no radio, I just about went crazy. The second day, my “will” gave in and I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the retreat. It is hard to explain, but in the silence we are able to hear the Lord’s voice more clearly. Perhaps it is something that could be left in the retreat but to a lesser degree? Maybe offer the silent retreat as the advanced version once you have drawn the younger crowd in to the center?

In story by Green Bay diocese about revamped Jesuit retreat center in Oshkosh WI.