An online retreat examining contemplation and struggle in the life, writings, and prayer of Thomas Merton, with guidance and opportunity for prayer and practice.
We will journey through the Christian season of Lent, from the first Tuesday in Lent to Holy Saturday,* with writings by Thomas Merton (Fr. Louis), Trappist monk, poet, spiritual teacher, hermit, and social critic.
* There will be an option to continue and conclude April 5-10, for those who have church ministry responsibilities through Easter Sunday (and need rest on Easter Monday!) and who may prefer to engage in the final retreat meditations during Easter Week rather than during Holy Week.
Each week of Thomas Merton, Companion on the Way will
feature short passages from Merton's writings on themes of prayer,
war and peace, solitude, nature, community, suffering, and new life.
The readings (they will be brief: this is a retreat, not a course) will come twice a week, usually on Monday and Thursday. Sometimes I will post bonus resources on other days.
Along with the writings by Merton will be suggestions for reflection,
meditation, journal-keeping (verbal or visual), and prayer which
participants can use and adapt to their daily life and to their own
spiritual practice.
As in our other online retreats, this one will include, but not require, opportunities for written conversation with other participants. Those conversations take place in the comments sections of the blogposts. These posts with the resources and comment sections take place on a private blog open only to people who have registered for the retreat. Once you have registered for the retreat, you will receive instructions on getting onto the retreat blog.
An innovation for this year will be two live sessions per week (usually an hour long, sometimes a bit longer) on Zoom, with some meditative quiet time followed by an opportunity to share our responses to the readings and other resources as well as our experiences with the retreat's spiritual exercises. Participants are only required to participate in one conversation per week but I am scheduling two per week so as to accommodate people's varied schedules and locations. As things stand now, our live sessions of the Merton retreat will be Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time and Fridays at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. If one or the other of these times is problematic, we can replace it with an evening time (e.g. 9 or 10 p.m Eastern on Wednesdays).
How much time will this retreat take? What will I need?
You'll need a computer or tablet with an internet connection.
At a minimum, you will need to log onto the retreat blog to read, gaze, and/or listen twice a week for 20 minutes or so each time. (Three times a week and 30 minutes is even better, but work with your own schedule and daily life.)
You will also need to attend one of the two online one-hour sessions per week. (You are welcome to attend both if you wish.)
You will need to commit to integrating the insights and practices of the retreat into your daily life, but how, when, and how much is completely up to you. This kind of retreat is suited for both morning persons and p.m. persons! You can adapt reflection, prayer, and practice to your personal and work schedule. I'll be there for support and information if you need a consultation.
Please write me with any questions or concerns.
Registration and cost
--The drop-down menu below shows the payment scale.--Some discounts are available for those in financial hardship. Talk to me.
--At the other end of the spectrum, the benefactor rate helps offset costs and makes discounted rates and scholarship aid possible.
