The unsettledness in today's world  can leave us searching to find meaning. To dedicate some quiet time away, a peacful day, or a contemplative weekend, can bring a renewed sense of direction and purpose.

"Jesus said to them, `Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.' Mark 6:31-33

Small groups of parishioners and friends from St.Joseph's have travelled to the nearby St. Edmund's Retreat on Ender's Island in Mystic CT, and, to the Trappist monks at St. Joseph's Abbey, in Spencer MA. since the 1980s.

      


                                 - See Our 2023 & 2024 Retreat Schedule Below -


                      Ender's Island, Mystic - One Day retreats
 

                             Click Here for Schedule & Reservations




                       

                St. Joseph's Abbey  - Trappist Monks

                         Weekend Retreats - Fridays-Sundays

                                 Schedules and Reservation link   





St. Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, MA
 
50 minutes north of Rockville / Ellington CT, north of the town of Spencer, Massachusetts, among the scenic rolling hills, rests Saint Joseph’s Abbey, a cloistered monastery of monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, popularly known as Trappists.  Trappists, founded in 1098 A.D. are in the Benedictine lineage, founded by St. Benedict in 529 A.D.

The Retreat House adjoining the Abbey offers retreats for men and women for a week’s duration or for a weekend. There are eleven comfortable private rooms each with a private bath, and linens. Three full meals are provided each day.

                   

Weekend Retreats with the Trappist monks are from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. The retreat house closely conforms to the atmosphere of the monastery. The celebration of Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours frame the structure for each day with a generous amount of time also set aside for private prayer, reading and contemplative quiet.

                              Photos - Small Group Abbey Retreat from our parish.

        Conferences are given by one of the monks on Saturday and Sunday for the
                   weekend retreat, with time also available for private discussion.
                         The rerteat house also has a chapel and library for guests.

        All are welcome on these monastic contemplative retreats, you do not have to be Catholic.

                      St. Joseph's Parish is pleased to offer these small group retreats
                                  throughout the year for parishioners and friends.

                         Questions ? Email Marc Giaquinto for more information.

                     Please use the handy link below  to make your reservation

                                Retreat Schedule - 2023
                                   November & December Retreats are Filled

                                   2024 Weekend Retreat Schedule
                    *** All Dates are only for Friday - Sunday Weekend Retreats

                               Jan. 5  -  Men & Women - Mixed
                               Jan. 12  - Men
                               Jan. 19  - Men
                               Jan. 26 - Women

                               Feb. 2 -   Men
                               Feb. 9 -   Men
                               Feb. 16 - Women
                               Feb. 23 - Mixed

                               March 1 - Men
                               March 8  - Men
                               March 15  - Women
                               March 22  - Mixed 

                          **Do not wait, as these dates fill quickly **

                               
                              St. Joseph's Trappist Abbey Retreat Video

 

                      Please use this handy link to Make Your Reservation -

                                     St. Joseph's Abbey Weekend Retreats

         Click on "Online Reservations", and scroll down to the particular dates     

              
                      ** All retreat openings are on a first come, first served basis.

                                             Photos by Marc Giaquinto, St. Joseph Church, Rockville, CT 2023