Fundamental 5-Day Silent Retreat - Complete Spiritual Renewal

Sunday night, December 1, we will gather for a 5-Day retreat with the purpose of “complete spiritual renewal” in the Faith. Except for prayer, conferences and individual spiritual direction, silence will be the rule. We will honor a moratorium on electronics and talking during the retreat. Total openness to the murmuring of the Holy Spirit and silent witness will be our practice. Please bring a Bible and a notebook. The retreat ends on Saturday morning, December 7th, with breakfast.

Maximum attendance is 50 as each person has a private room (including breakfast). Cost is $475 per person (Scholarships available). Daily Holy Mass, with morning and afternoon conferences by Monsignor Steven Otelli. Confession is always available. Three meals served each day.

Besides online, you may send reservations with check to Vallombrosa Center, 250 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025. Reservation questions, call Jaynie, Monday through Friday 8 AM – 3 PM at (650)325-5614. Any questions, please call Deacon Peloso at (650)269-6279.

For this great project, Mary used a beautiful and pure instrument, Marthe Rubin of France. She was born in 1902. By the age of 28, she was totally paralyzed and could only move her head ever so slightly. She was also unable to sleep or to eat. For the next 53 years, she lived only on the Holy Eucharist which sometimes leapt from the priest's hand into her mouth.

At one point, the Blessed Mother appeared to this bedridden mystic and asked her to start retreat houses (there are 70 throughout the world). She specifically asked that they be silent, led by a priest, and follow the inspirations of St. Louis de Montfort in his book Treatise on True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin. She said that this would lead to a complete renewal in the Faith. She also asked that the retreats be five days. She said three days “was not enough to change a soul.”

Vallombrosa proves the perfect setting for this retreat with its outdoor area, shrines for meditation, clean rooms and regular meal service. The Center will be closed to visitors during this time to minimize distractions. Nativity Church is next door with its 24/7 adoration providing quiet adoration of Jesus in the monstrance, especially at night.

The role of silence and the rule of silence.