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.Â
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.Â
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 Euchaist 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 send the attached form and a short description of what you feel is drawing you. 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.
Please note:Â
- participants will practice ‘digital silence’ also – free from phones and media. There will be a number for family to contact in case of need.
- it is recommended to arrive the day before the retreat starts
- experience of regular meditation is also recommended
- if you have any questions please let us know
Speaker
Leader
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Laurence Freeman
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Director of WCCM. Benedictine Monk. Author of a number of books on Christian Meditation.Oxford University. Laurence Freeman OSB is an English Benedictine monk and Catholic priest. He is the director of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM), prior of its Benedictine Oblate community and director of Bonnevaux, the international centre of the WCCM in France. Freeman’s work also involves encouraging the teaching of meditation to children and university students. In 2005 he founded the John Main Centre for Meditation and Inter-Religious Dialogue at Georgetown University
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.Â
Accomodation
| Single room with ensuite bathroom | €1330 |
| Single room with ensuite bathroom plus shuttle one way from Pisa to Monte Oliveto (5 October) | €1385 |
| Single room with ensuite bathroom plus shuttle one way from Monte Oliveto to Pisa (12 October) | €1385 |
| Single room with ensuite bathroom plus shuttle a round-trip Pisa – Monte Oliveto – Pisa (5 & 12 October) | €1425 |
Schedule
The day is made up of:
- 8 periods of meditation interwoven with contemplative walking,Â
- a short morning teaching by Fr LaurenceÂ
- a one-to-one meeting with one of the leaders of the retreatÂ
- meals together in silenceÂ
- 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 Sunday 5th of October, no later than 17:00.
Departure on Sunday 12th October after breakfast.
For any late arrivals or if you plan to arrive before Sunday 5th October and/or leave after Sunday 12th October please contact Kevin Wittoeck at +32 476 64 02 32 – kevin@wccm.orgÂ
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.Â
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
Gallery​
Images by Alan Frijns from Pixabay , by Andy Hay from Flickr , by Antonella Galardi from FlickrÂ