Overview
Individually Directed Retreats
Individually Directed Retreats provide a quiet space to pray and reflect on God’s Word at your own pace and schedule. This is a time of sacred silence, an invitation to step away from the pressures and demands of daily life to listen to God and notice where God is moving in your life. You are accompanied by a trained spiritual director who will meet with you daily during the retreat, offering guidance for the next day’s prayer based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius.
In-Session IDRs
Each year, May to August, Manresa sets aside specific dates for Individually Directed Retreats. Experienced men and women, Jesuits and others, form a team of directors so that, with this variety, each retreatant may have a compatible person to walk with them through the Spiritual Exercises. These designated sessions allow for retreats of four to eight days (minimum of four consecutive 24-hour periods/maximum of eight consecutive 24-hour periods). Sessions fill up quickly so it is recommended to register early.
Out-of-Session IDRs
Alternately, individuals may schedule four-to-eight day Individually Directed Retreats between September and April as space and staff allows.
In-Session IDR
within dedicated session dates and times only:
- $90/day. Non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $90 due at registration.
Out-of-Session IDR
based on calendar and director availability
- $95/day. Non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $95 due at registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an average day on retreat look like?
On a typical day, the retreatant may spend up to four prayer periods in meditation and then share the prayer experience with the director. For Roman Catholics, the Eucharist is a focal point of the day. The remainder of the day is spent in other activities designed to deepen awareness of God and our relationship with God. These activities are solitary and contemplative and may include journaling, reading, listening to music or walking and resting on Manresa’s 39-acre grounds.
Retreat arrival begins at 5:00 PM on the first day of the in-session retreat. Dinner is available at 6:00 PM, with the retreat itself beginning at 7:30 PM. The retreat ends at 10:00 AM on the closing date of the retreat session. Those who wish to make a retreat shorter than eight days should stay within the respective start and end dates and times.
How long are these retreats?
The number, nature and length of periods of prayer will depend upon each retreatant’s needs and ability, as will the length of the retreat itself. Most people make retreats of five to eight days. A retreat should be a minimum of four full consecutive days because it takes some time to slow down and embrace the silence.
Meeting with a Spiritual Director
The spiritual director is the “spiritual companion on the journey” with the retreatant, the journey being led by the Lord. The director listens to and encourages the retreatant in daily meetings to give voice to what was experienced in prayer and to come to a deeper understanding of that experience. Together they try to discover the movements of the Holy Spirit, to discern the direction God appears to be leading, and to choose topics for prayer that seem the most appropriate at that moment.
What Should I Bring?
- Personal spiritual resources (i.e., Bible, journal or reflective book)
- Toiletries (i.e. toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, razor, shaving cream, brush or comb)
- Comfortable informal clothing (we recommend clothes that can be layered, especially during cooler months) and appropriate clothes for your walk to and from the shower room
- Comfortable shoes for walking our grounds
