On September 22 and 23, the Cloisters welcomed a small group of men and women for the pilot of a new weekday retreat designed especially for people in their “golden years.”
Rooted in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, the two-day retreat offered participants the prayerful experience of the Cloisters in a format tailored to their season of life. Rather than staying overnight, retreatants arrived in the morning and returned home at the end of each day. The schedule also blended periods of silence with opportunities for conversation and fellowship.
Accessibility and hospitality were central to the retreat’s design. It welcomed individuals who use wheelchairs, prefer limited walking, benefit from hearing-assist devices, or need the support of a companion during the day. Retreatants were invited to bring a trusted family member, friend, or caregiver to participate alongside them.
Although the format was new, many familiar elements of a retreat at the Cloisters remained at its heart. Participants attended Ignatian retreat conferences presented by Fr. Michael Maher, S.J., celebrated daily Mass, and had opportunities for confession and spiritual direction. Continental breakfast and a plated lunch were also served each day.
Because this was our first retreat of its kind, we intentionally began with a small pilot group. The intimate setting allowed us to learn, refine the details, and better understand how we can provide a meaningful and welcoming retreat experience in this new format.
Our dedicated volunteers were essential to making the retreat possible. As they assisted participants throughout the two days, they also experienced the graces of the retreat firsthand, witnessing the ways its messages and moments of prayer touched those in attendance.
Volunteer Paula Lukowski reflected: “I’m so thankful to have been able to help with the retreat for those in their golden years. Father did a good job in his morning talk emphasizing that everyone should keep working toward the ‘ultimate goal’ and not think they are too old to make a difference. ‘Direction matters, not the distance.’ It was a great message, and it resonated with this group.”
Seeing the difference this retreat made reinforced our desire to continue developing opportunities that meet the members of our community where they are, no matter their season of life. Weekday retreats offer another way to invite more people into the important and meaningful mission of the Cloisters while remaining rooted in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.
Building on what we learned from this pilot, we plan to explore additional weekday retreats over the next year, each designed for people in different seasons and circumstances. We look forward to sharing more as those plans take shape.
We are also pleased to announce that the next Golden Years Retreat will be held September 21 and 22, 2027. If you are 65 or older and would like to attend, or if you know someone who may benefit from this retreat, please complete the interest form using the link below. We will contact those who express interest as the 2027 retreat approaches.
We are grateful for our retreatants, volunteers, and the many friends whose support helps us expand the ways people can experience the peace, prayer, and spiritual renewal found at the Cloisters. Together, we look forward to welcoming more people through these new Seasons of Life weekday retreats in the years ahead.