Shared Spaces and a Peaceful Atmosphere
What all monastery retreats have in common, however, are simple accommodation, shared spaces, and silence and contemplation. Rooms are typically basic but comfortable, emphasising minimalism and shying away from distractions. Some monasteries have shared bathrooms and common areas, further fostering a sense of community. And many retreats incorporate periods of silence and discourage interruption to enhance introspection.
Preparing for Your Stay
Something we recommend for first-timers is to plan the first monastery retreat over a long weekend (if you enjoy the experience, you can always return for longer). Organising the retreat over a weekend means that you’ll be there for Mass, a key communal event in the weekly monastic calendar, while also carving out ample time for solitary introspection.
Because monasteries are so broadly accommodating (more on this shortly), you don’t need to do a lot of preparation before going. We do, however, recommend following these basic tips.
• Inform friends and family. Since you’ll be going off the grid, you should let your loved ones know. How unreachable you want to be is up to you, but telling them that you’ll only be available for emergencies is generally considered best.
• Pack light: Bring only essentials to fully embrace the simplicity of monastic life. A small backpack should suffice.
• Go with an open mind: Approach staying in a monastery with curiosity and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone and engage in new practices.
• Respect the rules: While monasteries are by no means draconian, each has its own guidelines, and many operate curfews. Be prepared to follow them respectfully.
Who Benefits from Monastery Retreats?
Monastery stays are not just for people of a religious background. Everyone can benefit, from burned-out professionals in need of respite from their everyday lives to spiritual seekers looking for inspiration or introspection. Anybody who wants to contribute towards and feel part of a community should consider going on a retreat in a monastery.
Some people can be put off monastery retreats by the idea of draconian rules and compulsory nightly prayers. But most often this could not be further from the truth. Monasteries have offered sanctuary to pilgrims for centuries, and many religious orders take a vow of hospitality. Often the only major restriction will be a curfew (typically between 10pm and midnight) while any other rules and restrictions will be explained at the first point of contact.
Monastery Retreats across the World
So many monasteries and convents offer retreats, which vary from lodging guests in basic accommodation to getaways centred on structured spiritual guidance, that trying to find common features and points of convergence is as tricky as it is trivial. That’s why instead we would like to give you an idea of what you can expect by using recent, real-life examples.
In the northernmost Scottish Highlands,
Pluscarden Abbey accommodates both male and female retreatants, the former in St. Scholastica’s Retreat, the latter in St. Benedict’s Guest House. What is most important is that retreatants act in the spirit of monastery guests. This means being a part of community life, observing silence in the church, the refectory, and other common areas, and fostering a respectful environment.
Some 400 miles south, in the historic English county of Yorkshire, the 26-strong community of Ampleforth Abbey also welcomes guests through paid
guided retreats, self-led retreats, and group retreats. “We encourage them to participate in the Divine Office,” reflects Abbot Robert, “though simply listening is also a form of participating.” Retreatants generally eat in the guests’ refectory, but a few of the men can eat inside the enclosure, with the monks.
