wickenden garden outside

Who is a retreat geared to?

Retreats at Wickenden Manor are directed by Opus Dei, a personal prelature of the Catholic Church. Opus Dei aims to help people of all walks of life to strive for holiness and to evangelise in a natural manner wherever they are, especially through their daily work.

What is a retreat?

A retreat is a time spent away from your ordinary occupations and in intimate dialog with God, during which you can reflect on how you live your faith in your everyday work, family life and relationships with others. The atmosphere of personal prayer and recollection which is maintained throughout helps you to consider all aspects of your life and identify the areas in which you can improve.

Why go on a retreat?

  • To rest and spend time alone with God
  • To recharge spiritually and recentre your life on God
  • To get to know God more and fall in love with Him
  • To get to know yourself better
  • To slow down and reflect on where you are in life
  • To sort out a crossroad or an apparent crisis in your life
  • To listen: God may have something to tell you!

How is the retreat conducted?

It begins with an introductory talk. It covers basic housekeeping notices; provides tips on how to make the most of the retreat; gives an overview of the timetable and provides a chance to ask any questions you may have.

A timetable for the days of the retreat will be made available. All activities are optional – attend as much or as little as you wish. The timetable is to help you get the most out of your retreat.

In silence. Why a silent retreat? – it helps everyone to pray. God often speaks in a whisper and so we need to quieten down our inner world to hear Him – external silence facilitates this. During meals an audiobook is often played to help maintain our focus and recollection! Of course if you need anything, just ask!

Each day there are periods of guided prayer – these are called Meditations. They help us talk and listen to God. They take place in the chapel and led by the priest. 

The meditations and talks cover the following themes:

  • The meaning of our life
  • God’s designs for humanity
  • Our life in the light of God’s Revelation
  • God and individual freedom
  • Jesus Christ, true God and true man
  • The passion of Christ and the mystery of Redemption
  • Eternal life
  • Family and Christian life
  • The vocations to marriage and celibacy
  • Ordinary work and holiness
  • Prayer and the sacraments in the life of the Christian
  • The greatness of ordinary life
  • The apostolate of the Christian
  • Our Lady, model of sanctity

Daily Mass is central to the retreat and timetabled in every day to facilitate personal prayer and reflection. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you are not Catholic, or are unable to receive Communion, you can always receive a blessing from the priest. You may also talk with the priest to obtain advice which is appropriate to your specific circumstances.

At some point every day, an Examination of Conscience will be read out. These questions may help you see where you could improve in your relationship with God and others; at home; in your family or in your social or professional life. The questions are food for personal prayer and reflection.

There is plenty of time for personal prayer on a retreat. A few devotions such as the Rosary, the Way of the Cross and Visit to the Blessed Sacrament are done together.

There is a talk each day to give practical ideas of how to live your Christian life on a daily basis. Topics could include: living your Faith at work and in your family life, how to help your friends, and how to improve as a person and grow closer to God. 

Residential retreats begin at 8:30pm on the first day and end at 3:45pm on the last day.