A Benedictine Monastery
In the early monastic tradition, the term “contemplation” referred to the perception of God in both the glorious complexity of creation and silent rest without words or images. In this workshop, the monastic practices of lectio divina and psalmody will provide a link between these two poles of contemplation. Readings from early […]
Refresh and renew yourselves through the depths of our human experience with uplifting sacred music, word, and dance. Val and Frank Jansen will join us & provide musical support for the workshop. Presenter: JOHN WEST, Obl.OSB is an oblate of Saint Andrew’s Abbey and the founder of the Valyermo Dancers. A gifted dancer, choreographer, […]
During these days of silence at the monastery, the whole Church begins the sacred season of Lent. Short reflections will be offered daily, emphasizing the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The desert silence and the monastery's liturgies will provide an atmosphere conducive to deep reflection. This is a wonderful opportunity to make […]
Serenity is a universal need, though often elusive in our fast-paced, tension-filled lives. While the world's demands create stress and chaos, serenity offers a path toward peace, grounding us in a state of calm that nurtures our deepest sense of well-being. Far more than the absence of conflict, serenity is a practice that leads us […]
The Sacred Triduum is the holiest time of the Church's liturgical cycle. You are invited to share the monastic experience of this sacred liturgy, beginning on Holy Thursday and concluding on Easter Sunday. (Since this time is rooted in silence and reflection, we ask that you plan to arrive in sufficient time to be settled […]
This retreat is open to artists at all levels, including beginners. Photographers, sculptors, and writers are also welcome to experience the colors and beauty of the high desert in the monastery setting. Escape the stress of daily life while deepening a spiritual vision in your art. (A materials list will be provided.) Presenter: GREGORY […]
Fathers are becoming increasingly marginalized in our culture. Yet fathers are essential to their children and foundational to a stable home. A father allows his children to experience the world without fear, and they are called upon to cultivate courage. Our presenter is a mother to five adult children and a grandmother to eleven. She was raised […]
...for us, for our people, and for our world. The centerpiece for this retreat will be Pope Francis' book Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future. (PRIESTS ONLY RETREAT) Presenter: FR. JOSEPH BRENNAN has been a monk of Valyermo since 1994 after having served as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of […]
Lectio divina, the ancient Christian art of praying the scriptures, allows the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. In other words, through lectio divina, reading sacred scripture becomes the gateway to contemplative prayer. In this workshop, ancient and modern approaches to the practice of lectio divina and its application […]
This preached retreat is for the oblates of St. Andrew's Abbey or anyone interested in Benedictine spirituality. The focus is the Rule of St. Benedict and the liturgy of Pentecost. Presenters: Monks of Valyermo *If the event is listed as sold out please call us at 661-944-2178 for real time availability and waiting […]
Imagine standing in C. S. Lewis’s personal library as he tells how books enlarged his vision, captured his imagination, and pointed him to Christ. In this workshop, Lewis’s story and the growth of his library are traced, beginning with his first book and early collecting through his academic and writing career, until his library is […]
St. Luke, Rembrandt, and Henri Nouwen are our human guides as we examine and discern the different spiritual states revealed in Holy Scripture's parable of The Prodigal Son. Art, writing, and personal experience combine to help us realize the broader implications of this narrative and how they apply to our lives. Careful attention to art, […]
Matthew 7:7