This year’s Monte Oliveto retreat will be a fuller and deeper invitation into silence. “There is nothing so much like God as silence”.
This mystical truth is proven when we discover that silence allows us to be who we are and God to be who God is.
Each morning Fr Laurence gives a short teaching on this theme which takes on more meaning as your own experience of silence expands.
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.
Speaker
Leader
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Laurence Freeman
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Laurence Freeman is a monk of the Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto. He is the Director of Bonnevaux and of The World Community for Christian Meditation.
About Monte Oliveto
Situated on a rise, among cypresses, overlooking the beautiful, natural landscape of the Sienese hills, the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore is the Mother House of Laurence Freeman’s monastic family. It is an exceptional monument to art as well as a centre of Benedictine spirituality.
The WCCM international retreat has been held in this place of beauty and peace for 30 years and leads its participants into a deeper and more peaceful place from which to continue their life’s work and journey.
Accomodation
- Large single with private bathroom €1200 Fully Booked
- Large single room with private bathroom outside the room €1100
- Small single with shared bathroom: € 750
Schedule
The day is made up of:
- 8 periods of meditation interwoven with contemplative walking,
- a short morning teaching by Fr Laurence
- a one-to-one meeting with one of the leaders of the retreat
- meals together in silence
- personal time for rest or exercise
- Compline (evening prayer) with the monks to close the day and prepare for sleep
If you have followed one of our ‘intensive silent retreats’ before, you will know the energising and expanding peace this gentle and deep rhythm shared with fellow-practitioners can bring. The mature and mellow wisdom of the Benedictine rhythm of life works gently and powerfully to lead you to a new level of interiority.
Arrival and Departure Dates
Arrival on Saturday 6th of October, no later than 17:00.
Departure on Saturday 13th October after breakfast.
For any late arrivals or if you plan to arrive before Saturday 6th October and/or leave after Saturday 13th October please contact Catherine Charrière at +41 78 830 3298 – catherine@wccm.org
Travel
Participants should make their own arrangements for either getting to Pisa airport and meeting the bus, or travelling independently to Monte Oliveto to arrive before 17.00.
The WCCM bus will depart from Pisa airport at 13:30 on Saturday 6th of October and return on Saturday 13th of October 2024, leaving Monte Oliveto at 9:30. € 90 for bus Pisa/Monte Oliveto/Pisa (or € 50 for one way only, please state which way) There is a good train network; all timetable information is on the web: https://www.trenitalia.com/en
The nearest train stations to Monte Oliveto Maggiore are Asciano-Monte Oliveto or Buonconvento. You will need a taxi from either of these towns to Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Information about taxis will be sent to participants with confirmation of their registration.
How to Apply
Complete the application form in the flyer (see button below) with a short personal note about your practice of meditation and why this retreat attracts you and send it back to monteoliveto@wccm.org
Please wait for a confirmation before sending your down payment. Please note that full payment must be made at the time of registration. We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% of the total price for places cancelled until May 30. After this date you will be liable for the full retreat fee. It is important that participants have comprehensive travel insurance to cover this contingency. Do not hesitate to contact us in case of financial difficulties.
Gallery
Images by Alan Frijns from Pixabay , by Andy Hay from Flickr , by Antonella Galardi from Flickr
