The unsettledness in today's world can leave us searching to find meaning. To dedicate some quiet time away, a peaceful 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.
St. Joseph's Abbey - Trappist Monks - 2024
Weekend Retreats - Fridays-Sundays
Schedules and Reservation link
St. Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, MA
Fifty 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. Cistercians, of which Trappists are a part, were founded in 1098 A.D. and are in the Benedictine monastic 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, arrival time between 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., to Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.. 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 retreat 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 - St. Joseph Parish Retreats for more information.
* Note - Some financial assistance is available, please email for details.
All requests are kept confidential.
Please use the handy link below to make your reservation
2024 Weekend Retreat Schedule
*** All Dates are for Friday - Sunday Weekend Retreats Only
March 1 - Men - Filled
March 8 - Men - Filled
March 15 - Women - Filled
March 22 - Men & Women - Filled
April 5 - Men & Women - Filled
April 12 - Women
April 19 - Men & Women - Filled
April 26 - Men - Filled
May 3 - Men & Women
May 10 - Men & Women
May 17 - Women -
May 24 - Men
May 31 - Men
June 14 - Women
June 21 - Men & Women
**Do not wait, as these dates fill quickly **
Abbey -- Small Group Retreat Photo Album 2023
** 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.
Ender's Island, Mystic - One Day retreats
Photo Album
St. Joseph's Church has been offering one-day retreats on Ender's Island for years.
Ender's Island is located across a causeway onto their beautifully landscaped 11 acre island surrounded by ocean views of Long Island Sound. Lunches are delicious in a restaurant comprable setting, Conferences are held in comfortable conference areas, with access to a stone chapel for Mass and contemplative silence.
Please check in here throughout the year for upcoming schedules and times
Click Here for Schedule & Reservations
Photos by Marc Giaquinto, St. Joseph Church, Rockville, CT 2023