This year’s Monte Oliveto retreat offers what in our world today is a rare and wonderful opportunity to discover and live in peace in deep silence.

Held in the hospitable friendship of Fr Laurence’s monastic community and immersed in the contemplative presence of a place bathed in contemplative energy, retreatants go gently into deeper and sustained stillness.

There will be eight periods of meditation together, contemplative walking with good, healthy meals in convivial silence. Each participant meets with their mentor-guide daily and shares in a simple contemplative Eucharist in late afternoon. Fr Laurence will guide the retreat and give a short teaching each morning after breakfast.

The common experience is one of ‘coming home’, supported in friendship and unity, often with a gentle breakthrough into a new stage of one’s journey.

If you feel drawn to this week of silence, stillness and communion, please fill the form replying to the questions. We will respond quickly.

Frequent meditation, a simple eucharist, a short daily meeting with your guide, natural beauty, healthy and delicious Italian food and the friendship of the monastic community beside us – all these elements support and enrich this week’s experience. And be prepared to be surprised by how mind, body and feelings can calm and simplify.

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