What to Expect
An Introduction to the Cloisters
Watch this video to hear Joe Ricketts describe how you can make a retreat at The Cloisters on the Platte and what you can expect from the experience.
Father Matzko (left) and Father Blazek (right) are the priests-in-residence at the Cloisters on the Platte. They are onsite to manage the weekend retreats. Father Matzko frequently serves as a confessor. Father Blazek frequently serves as confessor or spiritual director and occasionally serves as retreat director. They are available as needed during the weekend retreat to see that everyone has a wonderful faith-filled weekend that inspires.
Arrival & Orientation
You have arrived. At the check-in, we provide additional directions to get you oriented. After checking in, you are assigned a private room with a bathroom and shower. These initial moments are a time to settle in and make yourself at home. You will have a chance to meet Cloisters on the Platte staff, ask questions, get acquainted with the grounds, and visit with others attending the retreat.
All retreatants receive a special “Welcome Packet” containing a schedule of events, map, and other information specific to your retreat. At 6 p.m. Thursday evening, you and other retreatants staying at your lodge will have a short 10-15 minute meeting with your Lodge Captain where they will share more details about the weekend.
The Experience
From Thursday through Sunday, retreatants are given opportunities to worship, receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, pray, reflect, and receive spiritual direction. The days provide a regular routine, while also allowing for flexibility depending on the retreatants’ individual needs.
Thursday
Immediately following the Lodge Captain meetings, all retreatants gather in the Chapel in their assigned seats for announcements. Then, all proceed to the Cloisters dining room for dinner and fellowship with their fellow lodge mates. The Cloisters provides healthy and delicious meals throughout the weekend; vegetarian meals (and special accommodation for food allergens) may be available with advanced notice. If you have a special medical diet, we recommend that you bring your own food. There are microwaves and refrigerators available for use in the lodges.
The silence commences after dinner at 7:30pm with the first retreat conference in the Chapel led by the Retreat Director.
Friday
& Saturday
Each of your two full days at the Cloisters follow the same schedule. Your day begins with morning prayer in the Chapel at 7:15 am, followed by breakfast in the Dining Room.
Twice in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening, the Retreat Director leads conferences in the Chapel. Retreatants enjoy free time when they can explore the library, pray in the adoration Chapel, enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the solarium, walk the Stations of the Cross, visit the other lodge buildings, or discover the beautiful nature trails throughout the extensive grounds.
Confessions are available in the Chapel at various times throughout the day, and personal spiritual direction is available at assigned times in the morning and afternoon. There is a midday Angelus, afternoon Rosary, evening Liturgy, and evening Benediction in the Chapel.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the dining room.
Sunday
Your final day at the Cloisters closely resembles Friday and Saturday, until 11:00am. At that time, retreatants gather in the chapel for Mass, immediately followed by evaluations and an opportunity to make a goodwill donation to support The Cloisters on the Platte. Lunch follows at 12:15 pm in the dining room. Shuttles will pick guests up at their Lodges between 1:00 and 2:00pm and return them to the gift shop and garage, drawing the retreat to a close.
The Cloisters on the Platte retreats are for those who want to learn and pray the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. We extend the invitation to attend these retreats to people of all faiths who have an interest. To learn the Ignatian prayer, those attending must participate in the retreat conferences. Failure to attend the retreat conferences by anyone attending the retreats indicates that the Ignatian retreat is not a good fit for their spiritual needs. If this should happen, the Cloisters staff has the right to remove these retreat participants, who fail to attend retreat conferences, from future retreats at the Cloisters.
*Exceptions for missing conferences only for cases of severe illness or another emergency.
Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you.St. Ignatius