A retreat at The Cloisters on the Platte is different from many other retreat experiences. Rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola it is an invitation into silence and contemplation.
Because silence is essential to the retreat, each retreatant helps preserve this sacred atmosphere — both for themselves and for others. The way we enter into silence can either support or distract from the grace God desires to give.
As you prepare, we invite you to consider the following suggestions.
Pray for the grace to receive silence as a gift
Before the retreat begins, ask God to help you enter into the silence with humility and openness. You might pray:
Lord, help me receive the silence of this retreat as a gift. Quiet my mind, open my heart, and give me the grace to listen for Your voice.
Make a firm decision to fully participate in silence
Before arriving, decide intentionally to honor the silence throughout the retreat. Even brief comments or quiet conversations can disrupt your own prayer and may affect others. Choosing silence is a generous gift to yourself, your fellow retreatants, and God.
Consider whether this is the right retreat for this season
A silent Ignatian retreat is a beautiful and powerful experience, but it may not be for everyone at every moment. Ask yourself whether God is inviting you to “sit at His feet” like Mary, or whether this season may be calling you to serve like Martha. If service, hospitality, or social connection feel more natural right now, you might prayerfully consider postponing your retreat.
Resist the urge to meet discreetly with friends or family
If you recognize someone on retreat, it is natural to feel joy. However, after Thursday night’s social the retreat is meant to be experienced individually, in silence, with each person walking closely with the Lord. If attending with a family member, or friend, consider agreeing in advance to save conversation until after the retreat. You may also request to stay in a different lodge to help preserve the silence.
Keep your senses focused on the retreat
Silence includes more than refraining from speech. Try to avoid unnecessary eye contact, observing what others are doing, or becoming distracted by who is present. Instead, gently focus on Scripture, the meditations, the beauty of the grounds, and the quiet movements of your own heart.
Do not use volunteering as a reason to talk
Volunteering during the retreat is a beautiful act of service, but it should not become an occasion for conversation. Written instructions are provided for volunteer roles. If further direction is needed, please write a note to Fr. Blazek or Fr. Matzko rather than speaking. Quiet service can itself become a prayer.
Allow silence to do its work
Silence is not meant to be restrictive; it is meant to be freeing. It quiets the noise around us so we can better recognize the voice of God within us. At times, silence may feel peaceful. At other times, it may bring restlessness or distraction. Simply remain open, faithful, and attentive.
When each retreatant enters fully into the silence, the entire retreat house becomes a place of deeper prayer. Your participation matters. Your silence helps make room for grace — not only in your own soul, but in the hearts of those around you.
As you prepare for your retreat, we invite you to come with an open heart, a generous spirit, and a willingness to let God speak in the quiet.