FAQS

Browse the Frequently Asked Questions below to learn more about visiting The Cloisters on the Platte.

If you have additional questions, please contact your retreat Ambassador or email us at [email protected].

*For the May 2-5th, 2024 Men’s retreat only, all liturgies will be celebrated in the Extraordinary Form, typically referred to as the Latin Mass.

Retreat Costs

The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation invites retreatants to make a goodwill offering to help support and maintain The Cloisters on the Platte. Donations are vital in sustaining the Cloisters on the Platte and while the appropriate amount of a goodwill offering is something each retreatant should decide for himself or herself, we encourage you to be generous.

Donations can be mailed to: The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation, 23332 Fishery Road, Gretna, NE 68028

Arrival and Departure

Retreats begin on Thursdays with registration from 4:00 – 6:00pm. Dinner will follow in the Retreat Center. Retreatants are expected to stay for the entire retreat and are not allowed to leave early. A retreatant should reschedule if he or she cannot stay for the full retreat. Retreats conclude at 1:30pm on Sundays.

Silence

This is a silent retreat. Unless otherwise specified by the retreat director or in the event of exceptional circumstances, retreatants agree to maintain silence starting after dinner on Thursday night and continuing through the retreat’s conclusion on Sunday afternoon.

Conference Participation

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.

Health Concerns

Persons attending the retreat should be in good health and able to participate fully in the weekend’s activities without extra assistance. There is a certain amount of walking required to make the retreat including from your lodge, the Retreat Center, chapel, the Stations of the Cross, and other destinations on the campus grounds. Individuals who cannot walk at least two city blocks easily should consider whether the retreat is appropriate for them or whether they should bring a wheelchair with them for the weekend.

Clothing

Casual clothing is recommended – slacks, sweaters, sports shirts make for a relaxing weekend. Make sure to bring warm clothing for cold weather. Retreatants will walk from lodges to the Retreat Center in the outdoors.

Other items to bring

If you plan to explore the grounds and the beautiful walking trails, be sure to be equipped for the outdoors. For warmer months, bring a hat, sunglasses, water bottle and bug spray. For cold weather, bring appropriate outerwear to include boots, hat, gloves, scarf and heavy coat.

Cell Phones

All cell phone use in public places is strictly prohibited. Cell phones should remain in your rooms during the retreat and we recommend they remain powered down and only used in an emergency.

Photography

To preserve privacy and security, photographs of the facilities or campus, including interior photographs of guest lodge are prohibited.

Room amenities

The Cloisters on the Platte provides 7 guest lodges and the Retreat Center, each with ten private bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own private bathroom and was designed with a unique architectural perspective intended to promote a spiritual connection with God. There are microwaves and refrigerators available for use in the lodges. Towels and hair dryers are available as well. Each room also provides a digital alarm clock, so there is no need to set a cell phone alarm.

Housekeeping

There are no housekeeping services provided during the retreat. Retreatants acknowledge that they will treat their room and other retreat facilities with respect and care. There is no indoor smoking at the Cloisters on the Platte.

Food served

All meals are served in our beautiful dining hall. We provide a vegetarian option at mealtimes with advanced notice (see special needs below). Those with food allergies can communicate their needs to their retreat ambassador in advance so Cloisters staff can try to address. If you prefer different meal options, we recommend that you bring your own food. There are microwaves and refrigerators available for use in the seven lodges.

Who can attend

All of our weekends are dedicated to groups of men only or women only. Individuals 18 years of age or older are welcome at our retreats. People of all Christian denominations are invited and welcome to participate. Even people who are not committed to any faith tradition can participate in a Cloisters retreat. As a rule, anyone for whom an Ignatian retreat would be beneficial is welcome to attend. Each person must discern whether this would be something that would be suitable for his or her spiritual growth.

Participation Frequency

Due to overwhelming interest and limited availability, individuals are allowed to attend one retreat during a 12 month period.

Special Needs

Retreatants with mobility limitations due to age or infirmity need to log in to update their user profiles to indicate any special accommodations required during the retreat weekend. Vegetarians and those who plan to bring their own food should also alert their ambassador by the Monday of the retreat week. Our ability to accommodate special needs is limited.

Lost & Found

If you believe you’ve lost an item during your stay with us, please contact us at 402-509-6250.

Contact

If you don’t have email, you can reach us by phone at 402-509-6250.

Do you have a gift shop?

Yes. The gift shop at The Cloisters on the Platte is open to the public during the following hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am to 4pm, Thursday from 9am to 1pm and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm. We are closed to the public on Fridays and Saturdays while our retreats are in session. The gift shop has a variety of apparel and other items. All proceeds go to support The Cloisters on the Platte and The Stations of the Cross.

Are The Cloisters on the Platte facilities open for rental and use by outside groups?

No. The Cloisters on the Platte facilities are designated solely to be utilized for The Cloisters on the Platte administered retreats and self-guided Stations of the Cross tours. The facilities are not available for rental, nor are any non-authorized outside uses permitted.

Can individuals or groups tour The Cloisters on the Platte property?

We do not offer tours of the retreat buildings or grounds. The best way to experience The Cloisters on the Platte is to sign up for a retreat. We also invite you to visit The Stations of the Cross, which is open to the public when retreats are not in session.

What is The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation?

The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation is a non-profit foundation established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Joe Ricketts. Ricketts is passionate about making The Cloisters on the Platte a reality and personally funded the Foundation’s construction of the retreat property. Ongoing operations will be funded through a combination of donations by retreatants, donations by people visiting the Stations of the Cross, and product sales. The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors, with the Omaha Archbishop to appoint one of the Foundation’s Board members.

I would like to support The Cloisters on the Platte, where should I send my tax-deductible check?

The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation 23332 Fishery Road Gretna, NE 68028

The Stations of the Cross

Located at The Cloisters on the Platte, the Stations of the Cross is a 2,500 foot long walking tour comprised of 14 sculpture stations that represent Christ’s trial through his burial. The Stations of the Cross is now open to the public. Precautions will be taken to implement social distancing and to sanitize audio equipment and indoor areas. Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9am to 4pm, Thursday from 9am to 1pm and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm. We are closed to the public on Fridays and Saturdays while retreats are in session. Visitors may remain on site for up to an hour after closing. Groups of 20 or more should contact us a week in advance via email at [email protected].

Visitors are encouraged to make a donation of $10 or more. With each donation, visitors will receive a complementary audio tour. Donations support The Cloisters on the Platte and the Stations of the Cross. When you arrive, please park in the parking lot across from main gate. Shuttle service from the parking lot operates throughout hours of operation and will provide entry for our guests to the Stations of the Cross.

*Per weather.com for Gretna, NE, if the weather falls below 0 degrees Fahrenheit or rises above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, we will close the Stations of the Cross.

The Stations of the Cross at The Cloisters on the Platte is accessible to wheelchair users and other visitors who need to avoid stairs. Visitors with disabilities may use mobility devices, including manual and electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and manually powered mobility aids (such as walkers, canes, and crutches). We do not have wheelchairs or scooters on site for visitor use. Landscaping stones can be found along the trail where you will be able to rest along the walk. There are no outdoor restroom facilities or benches. Further, no motorized tram or golf cart is available for providing tours of the stations for those who are unable to walk.

To discuss accessibility issues further, or inquire about group visits to The Stations, please call us at 402-337-5335.

Pets are not permitted at The Stations of the Cross or on the retreat grounds.

Directions

To The Cloisters on the Platte from Omaha

Take I-80 West to the 432 / NE 31 South Exit
See Flying J Travel Center on the right; continue on NE-31 South for 5 miles
Turn right onto Fishery Road; your destination will be on the right

To The Cloisters on the Platte from Lincoln

Take I-80 East to the 432 / NE 31 South Exit
See Flying J Travel Center on the right; continue on NE-31 South for 5 miles
Turn right onto Fishery Road; your destination will be on the right