Retreats and Courses 2024
Here at the Loreto Spirituality Centre, we have a wide range of options available to you depending on your needs. Please use the links below or scroll to find out more information.
Most of our retreats will begin with supper at 6pm on the first day and will finish after breakfast on the last day. Weekend retreats will finish after lunch unless otherwise stated. All of our accommodation is en-suite. Our retreats are fully catered. We can provide for a wide range of dietary needs, please let us know your requirements upon booking.
If you are a group wishing to book a stay or conference with us please click here for more information.
All of our suggested offerings can be found by clicking here, or following the link at the top of the page.
Preached Retreats
9th – 16th May
Led by: Fr Richard Reid CSsr
‘I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you therefore to lead a life worthy of your vocation.’ (Eph 4.1) A time to reflect with gratitude on the graces of our own vocation.
3rd – 10th July
Led by: Fr John Farrell OP
“Encountering Jesus anew through the Gospels”
18th – 25th July
Led by: Fr Brendan Comerford SJ
“Praying with the Mystics across the Ages”
During this retreat, we will be looking for inspiration for our own prayer from Catherine of Siena; The Author of The Cloud of Unknowing; Teresa of Avila; Francis de Sales; Dorothy Day and Pedro Arrupe.
2nd – 6th December
led by: Tom McGuinness SJ & Magdalen Lawler SND
Advent Triduum
“A Leap of Divine Joy”: Advent Scripture Reflections with Art, Poetry and Music.
Fr Richard Reid CSsR
Fr Richard is currently the Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists in England, Scotland and Zimbabwe. Prior to this appointment, he has been involved in many ministries, including Parish Priest, Retreat Director and Vocations Director. Recently he marked 25 years of Priestly Ordination and he gives thanks to God for his own vocation every day.
Fr John Farrell OP
Fr John is a Dominican Friar and was Prior Provincial from 2008 to 2016. He has served as a parish priest in London and Newcastle and has taught in four seminaries and on several training courses for lay ministry in Southwark, Westminster and Newcastle. His main work now is giving retreats. He is based at Holy Cross, Leicester.
Fr Brendan Comerford SJ
Brendan is a writer and teacher of Christian spirituality. He was a novice director in the British/Irish novitiate in Birmingham and a former lecturer in the History of Spirituality at the Milltown Institute in Dublin. He is the author of The Pilgrim’s Story – The Life & Spirituality of St Ignatius Loyola and Disciples of Courage – Ten Christian Lives Which Inspire. His study of the life of St Francis Xavier is due to be published in early 2024.
Magdalen Lawler SND
Magdalen Lawler SND is a Sister of Notre Dame, living in London. She has taught art and religious studies and worked in retreats, spiritual direction and student chaplaincy. She has a special interest in women’s spirituality and in the relationship between spirituality and the visual arts and has published reflection books as a resource for prayer.
Tom McGuinness SJ
Tom McGuinness SJ is currently a member of the Retreat Team at St Beuno’s Spirituality Centre. He has recently returned from six years in Dublin, giving retreats in the Manresa Spirituality Centre and helping to coordinate an International Jesuit final formation programme. Tom has written and recorded many songs for prayer, some of which will be used in these Advent days.
Individually Guided Retreats
All IGRs begin with supper at 6pm on the day of arrival. 6 and 8-day retreats end with breakfast on the last day. 4-day midweek retreats end with lunch on Friday. Weekend retreats finish after lunch.
January 22nd – 31st
April 8th – 12th
April 8th – 17th
May 24th – 27th
‘Lord, Teach us to Pray’. A silent, individually guided retreat with workshops on prayer.
June 2nd – 9th
July 11th – 18th
July 29th – August 7th
September 16th – 20th
September 16th – 25th
November 4th – 13th
Individually Guided Retreats may be possible online at any time of the year. These may take the format of a silent retreat, or else a retreat in daily life. For more information please contact the Centre.
30 Day Spiritual Exercises
Full Spiritual Exercises
(30 Day Retreat or can be made in daily life).
By private arrangement.
Ongoing Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is available on a long-term basis.
We are currently offering direction virtually, either by Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime. Please use the contact form at the bottom of the page to request further information.
Lenten Retreats
Lenten Triduum
‘Into the Wilderness’
26th February – 1st March
Led by: Ewa Bem IBVM
A Lenten Triduum, with a daily reflection and opportunity for individual direction. Daily Mass will be available.
‘I will now persuade her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her…’ (Hosea 2:14)
Holy Week Retreat
27th – 31st March
Led by: Michael Barnes SJ and the Loreto Centre Team
Holy Week at Loreto Centre – an opportunity to celebrate the Holy Week liturgies in the context of a prayerful retreat. The preparation of the liturgies will be the main focus for the day. There will be daily morning prayer, with suggestions for personal reflection and plenty of quiet time for those who wish.
A Weekend for Religious
EcoTheology and the Vows – A Weekend for Religious
31st May – 2nd June
Led by: Gemma Simmonds
If religious vows are made to the God of all creation, then they must have and receive significance in relation to creation itself. This weekend offers an opportunity to reflect on the vows of consecrated life in light of eco-theology.
Following this weekend, a 6-day retreat begins on Sunday evening for anyone who wishes. Please see details of this under our IGRs, 2-9 June.
Gemma is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus. She is a spiritual director and a lecturer in Pastoral Theology, Spirituality and Ecclesiology. Currently, she works at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in Cambridge.
Living Theology Summer School
28th – 30th June
Living Theology: A Summer School in Christian Faith
A Summer School in Christian Faith. Living Theology has been organised by Jesuits and their associates in venues across the country for over 50 years. The courses continue to provide opportunities for Christians of all denominations to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith and develop their personal reflection on Christian living and belief. No prior theological knowledge is required, just an open mind and willingness to engage.
More information here: Living Theology
Themed Retreats
All themed retreats begin with supper at 6pm on the day of arrival and end with lunch on Sunday unless otherwise stated.
Discernment Retreat
August 30th – September 1st
‘I listened to God’s deep dream for me…’
A Discernment Retreat, drawing on the life and writings of Mary Ward to help us reflect on the daily choices we make. This retreat could also be helpful to those making significant decisions in life.
Led by: Josette Zammit-Mangion IBVM and Ewa Bem IBVM
'For me, to Live is Christ...' (Phil 1:21a) Praying with Philippians
20th – 22nd September
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes about the centrality of Christ in his life and exhorts his hearers to live in joy, having the mind of Christ. This silent retreat with reflections and time for personal prayer focuses on the experience of Christ in our own daily lives. There will be optional time for spiritual conversation on Saturday evening.
Led by: Josette Zammit-Mangion IBVM
Josette Zammit-Mangion IBVM is a member of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She works as a spiritual director and has an interest in New Testament Studies, particularly the letters of Paul.
The Sea Within - Wellbeing and Sandplay for a Changing Era
27th – 29th September
With the sea and beautiful estuary on the West Shore at Llandudno as our backdrop and resource, this weekend offers a relaxing and refreshing space to get in touch with your own inner resources and gifts through sandplay, poetry, quiet meditation and stillness, and incorporating Wellbeing practices such as Tai Chi, self-acupressure, and Circle Dance (from Capacitar). There will be an opportunity for free space and social time, should you need this.
Please note: This retreat ends at 3 pm on Sunday.
Led by: Anne Harrison
Anne is a regular retreat giver at Loreto Centre, offering spiritual accompaniment and is qualified in therapeutic and energy work. The input offered this weekend is sourced from a global organisation (Capacitar), whose mission is to teach spirit-body-mind practices to enhance healing, wholeness and peace, both in the individual and world. Anne finds these practices personally beneficial to her own prayer, meditation and general wellness. (www.capacitar.org)
Bibliodrama - Bringing the Scripture stories to life.
4th – 6th October
Bibliodrama combines the Word of God and action. The methodology brings to life the stories of Scripture. You may find that you will see YOUR life in renewed and surprising ways. There will be time for personal reflection on how the Word is speaking in your life, as well as spontaneous, contemplative sharing in the group.
Led by: Anne Brittain NDS
Anne trained in Bibliodrama in Nemi, Rome. She has been involved in facilitating workshops in the Philippines, having recently returned to the UK
Visio Divina: Discover the power of your camera or smartphone to see God within the ordinary
14th – 18th October
Discover the power of your camera or smartphone to see God within the ordinary. This retreat is for anyone with a camera or smartphone and will help you discover the art of contemplative photography, using images as modern icons. No photographic skills are required, simply a camera you can use. There is a mindful-photographic prayer walk each day but for those who find walking more challenging exercises can be practised around the house & gardens. Retreatants will receive one printed photo after each prayer walk.
Led by: Steve Radley
Steve is an Anglican priest, trained professional photographer and members’ ambassador for the Guild of Photographers. A military veteran he found healing from his military experiences through photography. His war experience left him passionate about helping people find peace by seeing in new ways. This desire saw Steve pioneer a new direction in his ministry using image to promote resilience and build relationships through his organisation, Soulful Vision.
Space to Grieve
15th – 17th November
A weekend for those who are grieving for someone who has died. There will be opportunities to share our stories, reflect and pray together, and plenty of space for yourselves. Individual accompaniment will be available.
Please ensure that at least six months have elapsed since the death of your loved one before coming on this retreat.
Please note: This retreat ends at 3 pm on Sunday.
Led by: Rev. Kate le Sueur and Ewa Bem IBVM
Kate is a Methodist presbyter who has worked most of her ministry in chaplaincy and is currently Head of Chaplaincy (North) at Methodist Homes. Kate has developed a particular interest in end-of-life care and bereavement support.
Ewa is an IBVM sister working in retreats and spiritual direction at the Loreto Centre. She has a particular interest in bereavement support.
Praying with Poetry
18th – 22nd November
During this midweek retreat we will spend time praying with material from poets, including: George Herbert; Patrick Kavanagh; R.S. Thomas; Denise Levertov; Patrick Kavanagh; Elizabeth Jennings.
Led by: Brendan Comerford SJ
If you would like any further information about our retreats or would like to make a booking please use the form to get in touch with us.
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