What are the benefits of a spiritual retreat?

What is a spiritual retreat for?

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You feel it, don't you, that subtle yet deep need to take a real vacation?

Not just to get away from work and routine for a bit, but truly to get closer, finally, to yourself?

To refocus on what's essential, in the sense of what makes up our essence, what truly matters?

So let us explain, in just a few words, what benefits you can expect from a spiritual retreat!

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What are the advantages of a spiritual retreat in an abbey?

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Let's be practical first. Are there practical advantages to gain from a retreat in one of the abbeys or spiritual centers we list? Hint: the answer is "Yes, the advantages are numerous!!"

First of all, you're truly going on vacation: monasteries are often located in places of breathtaking natural beauty, throughout France, from Savoie to Provence, through the North and Brittany. In short, everywhere in France!

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Enjoying an exceptional setting to take time for yourself

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Nature, yes, but also culture: abbeys, filled with history and stories, enchant with their medieval architecture and varied styles, from Romanesque to Gothic. Each has its own identity, its own anecdotes that make it fascinating and unique.

Many come to abbeys to reflect peacefully, to make an important life decision, such as getting married. Many others simply want to free up some time for themselves, to think, to pray to God wherever they may be in their faith, even for the first time. To take stock.

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Meeting monks and nuns

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Going on a retreat in an abbey or monastery also means daring to experience and meet people you're probably not used to being around: monks and nuns. You may even have some preconceived ideas about them?

Contrary to what one might think, monks meet many people coming to them from all walks of life, atheist or believer, or even from other religions, to listen, discuss, ask the right questions and offer possible answers.

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Listening to monastic chants and enjoying a refreshing disconnect

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If you wish, you'll even enjoy the truly divine pleasure, no pun intended, of hearing them sing a cappella (literally, in their chapel).

Finally, you're in a place of calm and rest. Tradition and monastic rules have ensured that abbeys are away from cities (unlike spiritual centers!), therefore disconnected. People often speak of places "outside the world": this is the case, and the goal, in several ways! Disconnected, you're out of reach of invasive noisy notifications, calls from your boss, your mother-in-law, who is endearing, yes, but well. A little silence does you good.

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The benefit: a form of gift, for yourself... and for others?

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That's not all. Beyond the practical advantages these places offer, what good is done? All this is already not bad, you might say. But among these simple advantages, a good quickly emerges. You'll see, it's not exactly expressible. That's normal: it's deeper.

One way or another, regardless of how long you stay at the abbey, you receive through these moments in nature, under the resonant ogival vaults, a calm, a peace that contrasts with daily life or ordinary vacations.

We rediscover an inner life (a rare thing in this fast-paced world?), a fullness, joyful, that contrasts with superficiality and routine. Some call this finding renewal. And you take it home with you!

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Making a spiritual retreat, a gift for others too

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For others, too: rested, at peace, you rediscover your loved ones having filled up on patience and strength, to forge your path (nothing prevents you from going running on the idyllic hiking trails that surround many abbeys either).

You can even, if you want to be helpful, offer services to the religious community that hosts you. A gooddeed is always done by someone: it comes from you, from the monks and other retreatants, or perhaps from Someone else.

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When you return from your retreat...

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To conclude, let's summarize: you return rested, having taken the time to discover both a beautiful place, the people who live there, and perhaps an unknown part of yourself, after a time of disconnection in favor of yourself, to reflect, which bears fruit.

You're a bit changed. Not in your appearance, although by choosing a well-located abbey, you'll come back with a tan that your friends will envy, but having regained a simple smile that sometimes draining life tends to erase from each of our faces. You also offer that to people when you return!

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Now convinced of the benefits of a spiritual retreat, don't hesitate to look at where you can do it by checking out the RITRIT map of France, Europe and the world!

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