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.

                                          2023 St. Joseph Retreat promo Video


                                 - See Our 2023 Retreat Schedule Below -






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

               Weekend Retreats at St. Joseph's Trappist Abbey -
 

                        Men's & Women's Mixed - August 28-30  - Filled

                                          September - Filled

                          Men & Women Mixed - Oct. 27-29
                          
                                               November 2023
 
                                       Women - Nov. 10-12
                                           Men - Nov. 17-19
                                           Men - Nov. 24-26
                    

                                                December 2023

                                        Men & Women - Dec. 1-3
                                              Women - Dec. 8-10
                                                   Men - Dec. 24-26            

                          **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