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
4:00 – 6:00 pm — Registration
5:00 – 6:00 pm — Social in Retreat Center Lobby
6:00 pm — Meet with your Lodge Captain (locations below)
- Campion – Chapel, back left seating
- DeBrebeuf – Solarium
- DeSmet – Library
- Kircher – Main Retreat Center Lobby, by staircase
- Retreat Center – Chapel, front right seating
- Ricci – Chapel, back right seating
- Rodriguez – Main Retreat Center Lobby, closest to dining room
- Xavier – Chapel, front left seating
6:25 pm — Announcements at Chapel; group photo in Retreat Center Lobby immediately following
6:45 pm — Dinner in Retreat Center Dining Room
7:30 pm* — Conference in Chapel (silence begins)
10:00 pm — Lights Out (all interior and exterior lights in common public areas will be turned off at 10 pm; please plan accordingly)
Friday
& Saturday
6:30 am — Rise
7:15 am* — Morning Prayer in Chapel
7:30 am* — Breakfast following in Retreat Center Dining Room
8:00 am — Personal Spiritual Direction in Retreat Center
8:30 am* — Conference in Chapel
9:30 – 11:00 am — Confessions available in Chapel; Personal Spiritual Direction in Retreat Center
11:00 am* — Conference in Chapel
11:45 am** — Mass in Chapel; Angelus immediately following
12:30 pm* — Lunch following in Retreat Center Dining Room
1:00 – 4:00 pm — Confessions available in Chapel; Personal Spiritual Direction in Retreat Center
4:00 pm* — Conference in Chapel
6:00 pm — Dinner in Retreat Center Dining Room
6:40 pm* — Rosary in Chapel
7:00 pm — Benediction in Chapel
7:30 pm* — Conference in Chapel
10:00 pm — Lights Out (all interior and exterior lights in common public areas will be turned off at 10 pm; please plan accordingly)
Sunday
6:30 am — Rise
7:15 am* — Morning Prayer in Chapel
7:30 am* — Continental Breakfast in Dining Room
8:00 am* — Conference in Chapel
9:30 am* — Conference in Chapel
10:15 am** — Mass in Chapel; evaluations and collection of donations in Chapel immediately following
11:30 am* — Brunch in Dining Room
12:30 – 1:30 pm — Dismissal; shuttles will pick guests up at their Lodges and return them to the Gatehouse
1:30 pm — Gates close; all cars must exit garage
* Church Bells will ring five minutes prior to the event.
** Mass starting time may vary based on the length of the previous conference.
Please note: Personal Spiritual Direction and Confessions will be available outside of Conference times. Most Conferences last between 30 and 45 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you.St. Ignatius