Pilgrimages & Retreats

Composury Colleagues

Pilgrimages & Retreats

New Pilgrimage in 2009!

See below for details.

Doug and Norvene have led eleven Benedictine pilgrimage groups from the United States to Europe, eight of them to England and Wales, and three to Italy. The early British pilgrimages were centered at St. Deiniol’s Residential Library in North Wales, and the more recent ones were resident at Belmont Abbey in Hereford, and were jointly led by Dom Brendan Thomas. The Italy pilgrimages included visits to Assisi, and thus some Franciscan spirituality as well, and were jointly led by Abbot Francis Benedict and Mr. Anthony Coles.

Pilgrimages follow a Benedictine rhythm, including days and periods for rest and recreation, as well as visits to sites long held sacred, times for group lectio divina or devotional reading of scripture, and lectures on relevant topics. Generally the pilgrimages last two weeks, and are ecumenical in nature. A keen sense of God’s grace and presence are given to those who “pray with their feet.”

2009 Pilgrimage

The Vests are offering a new pilgrimage in 2009 to Turkey and Greece, to be co-hosted by Christopher McCauley and Frank Ramirez. Dates are May 4-18, 2009. Price is $3749/person including airfare from Los Angeles plus about $455/person airport taxes.

Locations will include Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Athens and Corinth. Rhythm will be the usual Benedictine pace, with opportunities for daily prayer, frequent eucharist, and group lectio divina/Bible study.

For further information and registration, contact Frank Ramirez at Frank509@yahoo.com or Norvene Vest at norvene@composury.com.

Upcoming Workshops for 2008

Madison, Wisconsin: April 25-27: A Role for the Sacred in Public Policy. Dr. Norvene Vest leads this Annual Benedictine Retreat about the connection between the Christian spiritual life and public policy. Contact: www.benedictinewomen.org.

St. Paul, Minnesota: May 2-4: Becoming Community: Benedictine Principles for Contemporary Christians Seeking a Sense of Community. Dr. Norvene Vest leads this retreat on building a strong common life as well as personal growth toward ongoing “conversion of heart” for God and neighbor. Contact: www.stpaulsmonastery.org.

St. Paul, Minnesota: May 5: Praying in the Light, Praying in the Darkness: A Spirituality of the Affirmative Way. Explore a variety of affirmative prayer modes, including lectio divina, walking and nature meditations, and reflection on life. Contact: www.wisdomwayscenter.org.

Valyermo, CA: July 7-11: The Monk and The World. Co-leaders the Rev. Douglas Vest, Abbot Francis Benedict, and Norvene Vest explore the creative tension between the traditional monastic goal of simplicity and the present complexity of the world. Contact: www.retreats@valyermo.com.

Santa Barbara, CA: July 22-25: Crafting a Contemporary Faith: A Mythic Vision for Christianity. Dr. Norvene Vest explores a mythic way through the apparent polarities of legalism and secularism, weaving a richly textured relationship with the Mystery that is God. Contact: mtcalvary1@aol.com.

Both together and individually, Doug and Norvene offer retreats to groups on topics mutually determined at the time the retreat is scheduled. Sample topics include:

I. Why Stress Keeps Returning: A Spiritual Response

Two Types of Time

Originality

Rediscovering Personal Nurture

II. Benedictine Spirituality Overview

Keys to Benedictine Spirituality for the Common Life

Benedictine Foundations: Listening, Silence and Prayer throughout the Day

Finding God in Everything (Learning from Lectio Divina)

Integrating Work and Prayer

The Formation of Character

III. A Mythic Approach to Christianity:

Weaving a Way Between Legalism and Secularism

Imagination as a Bridge between the Senses and the Intellect

            Feminism: Valuing the Body and the Earth; Establishing Equality not Hierarchy;
               Eliminating Dualisms and Violence while Welcoming Conflict; Honoring Community
               as well as Individuals

A Reconstructive Postmodern Philosophy

A New Culture of Christianity

IV. Differing Streams of Christian Spirituality

Mining the Gold Vein of the Gospel

Overview Chart Showing Six Christian Streams

Exploration of Ignatian, Carmelite, Benedictine, Celtic, Franciscan and Reform

Streams, with Opportunity to Pray and Approach Scripture in Each.

New DVD now available of the Vests on this topic – see our books and tapes page!