Holy Cross Seminary

Ignatian Retreats

“What better help and remedy can we propose than the invitation of those weakened and careless souls to the devout quiet of the Spiritual Exercises? In these Exercises an opportunity is given to a man to get away for a few days from the ordinary society and from strife and cares, and to pass the time, not in idleness, but in the consideration of those questions which are of perennial and profound interest to man, the questions of his origin and his destiny, whence he comes and whither he goes…

But they have still greater advantages. By the fact that they bring men’s minds to deeper and more careful scrutiny of thought, word and deed, they marvelously develop the human faculties. They become a kind of spiritual gymnasium…

The retreats are remarkably adapted to the development both of the natural and of the supernatural man. In these times of ours, many obstacles are put in the way of that genuine sense and supernatural spirit of Christ which is the raison d’être of our religion. Far and wide we find naturalism dominant, with its weakening influence on the constancy of Christian Faith and with its chilling effect on Christian charity. It is therefore most important that man should get away from that fickle fascination which hides the good from him, and should take refuge in that blessed quiet where he may follow the divine teaching and realize that human life’s true meaning lies in God’s service…

But besides that individual perfection which the Exercises are known to bring about, besides that interior peace of soul, another precious effect naturally follows which redounds to the good of society. We mean that zeal for gaining souls to Christ which is called the Apostolic spirit…

For as the reputation of the Exercises increased, it is wonderful how retreat houses were multiplied. They were like oases in the desert of this life where the faithful of both sexes might be refreshed with spiritual food…Let those be an example who have come to these places, whether they were drawn by the dream of higher and holier perfection or whether they were tired of being tossed by the world’s tempests, or whether disturbed by the world’s anxieties or disillusioned by its deceits, or embittered by its rationalism, or smeared with its sensuality. Whatever the cause, they have come to these places for quiet, repose and the reconstruction of their lives."

It is just such an oasis from the world that Holy Cross Seminary desires to be for the laity when they come here on retreat.

Pope Pius XI goes on to explain what it is about the Exercises of St. Ignatius, whom he calls “the specialist of the Exercises”, which makes them invaluable, incomparable, and so powerful for touching souls. He explains that from the day that it was first approved by Pope Paul III the book of the exercises “almost instantly established and imposed itself as the wisest and most universal code for the government of souls, as the inexhaustible source of deep and solid piety, as an irresistible stimulus and secure guide to conversion and to the highest spirituality and perfection”.

He further explains that the method of St. Ignatius is “the most commendable and the most effective” on account of “the solidity of spiritual teaching, far from the dangers and illusions of the pseudo-mystics, the marvelous adaptation to every class and condition of persons…, the organic unity of its parts, the remarkable order in which the truths to be meditated are succeeded by spiritual instructions suitable to lead a man from the point where he is freed from sin to the most sublime peaks of spirituality, by the road of abnegation and victory over passion”.

The question is consequently not why the Exercises of St. Ignatius are preached at Holy Cross Seminary, but why they should not be. There is no such reason, and the zeal for souls of the priests, brothers and seminarians is manifested by their desire to share their treasure with the lay people by inviting them to share the Seminary during the vacation times.

WHAT ARE IGNATIAN RETREATS LIKE?

Ignatian retreat are done in complete silence. Spiritual reading is listened to at meal times. During the day there are a series of six conferences, and five 30 minute meditations, as well as Mass, the Way of the Cross, the Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The retreatants have the opportunity to see one of the retreat masters every day to obtain the spiritual direction that they need to help out with their meditations and with decisions that they may have to make. Opportunity is given for a good fervent general confession, as well as time to prepare it appropriately. All those who attend the retreats are taught to meditate as the retreat goes along.

WHO CAN DO AN IGNATIAN RETREAT?

Anybody who has the desire to know, love and serve God alone, and who is truly sincere in seeking God, can do a retreat. Some retreatants have never done a retreat before. Others have done several. A retreatant does not necessarily have to be traditional or even Catholic for that matter. He simply has to yearn to seek God and to have the sincerity and docility of soul to follow the method accurately. For the success of the Exercises of St. Ignatius depend upon exact fidelity to the method passed on to St. Ignatius by the Blessed Mother herself.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO SIGN UP FOR A RETREAT?

You have simply to contact the Seminary via e-mail, telephone or letter, and indicate which retreat you would like to do. The Retreat Secretary will then send you by regular mail all the information that you need on preparing for the retreat. He will also arrange transportation from Canberra airport or Goulburn railway station, if desired.

WHEN ARE THE RETREATS?

Currently, there are no retreats scheduled to be held at the Seminary. When they are scheduled, the dates will be posted on this page.