Retreat "Put Out into the Deep" with Father Christian Vivien

A six-day retreat, from Monday, June 14 at 7 PM to Sunday, June 20 at 10 AM. Father Christian Vivien and his team will accompany you.

"Put out into the deep!" These are the words addressed by Jesus to Simon Peter in the Gospel of Luke.

It is a call made to every Christian who carries the concern of proclaiming the Gospel to the whole world: one must not be afraid to leave one's home, one's household, one's abbey — all quite comfortable — in order to speak of Christ to others.

Six days of rest, prayer, and formation, in a spirit of shared recollection.

• Daily spiritual guidance offered

• Three teachings per day

• Daily Mass, Lauds, free adoration, rosary

• Prayer vigils, with personal devotional activities offered

• Opportunity to meet with a priest (confession or conversation) or a lay person trained in listening and spiritual guidance

• Walks in and around the grounds, through a landscape of gentle wooded hills

• Meals with music, hearty and varied; dietary requirements accommodated upon request

Practical details

• The Foyer de charité, located halfway between Toulouse and Bordeaux, welcomes you on a full board basis, with home-cooked meals.

• Single rooms, with some double rooms available: couples who wish to may be accommodated together. The vast majority of rooms have full bathroom facilities. Pillowcases and blankets are provided.

• If you are traveling by train, a shuttle from the Foyer de charité can pick you up at Agen station: please indicate this when registering.

• By registering, you commit to respecting everyone's privacy and rest, and to participating in the retreat in its entirety.

What to pack

• Your bed sheets (rental available for €5 per pair if you are traveling by train; the size depends on your room, please inquire with the Foyer de charité's secretariat)

• Your personal toiletries

• Your table napkin, with a napkin ring or holder if possible

• Your usual medications

• Shoes and clothing suitable for walking

• Your Bible, at least the New Testament and the Psalms (lending copies available on site)

• Something to take notes with

For children, a detailed packing list will be sent at the time of registration.

Suggested offering

• The material existence of the Foyer de charité depends on the contributions of retreatants: the financial contribution is left entirely to your discretion, each person gives in good conscience, according to their real means.

• As a guideline, full board (24 hours), including programming, costs the Foyer de charité approximately €55 per day per person (half that for children).

• If this represents a genuine difficulty for you, please mention it when registering.