Contemplative Living
in a Busy World:
Parable of the King’s Son

September 30–October 4, 2019
November 4–8, 2019 (repeat)

Registration fee: $295
Print registration form (pdf)

 St. Bernard of Clairvaux wrote the Parable of the King’s son as a story of monastic spirituality for his new, young monks. As a story of the spiritual journey, though, it is relevant for all who are living by Christian principles. The point of the story is how we make our way to the freedom for which we were created. Thus, it is a story of growth. It shows how spiritual and moral theology combines to teach us how to live.
The story is put in scriptural terms, beginning with our creation in the image & likeness of God, the Fall of the prodigal son, and God’s rescue of us as in the Exodus. The crucial part of the story is that when we seem to have reached spiritual success, we are given a crisis which can only be addressed by faith and prayer as we wait on God’s help. It is by His gift that we finally discover God’s great love for each one personally. We are freed from the misery of self-reliance.
In this silent retreat, the parable will be explained clearly and in detail. A PDF of the 8-page parable is available here. To register, use the form on our website, or by e-mail to chaplain@newmelleray.org or by writing to the address below. It is recommended that you read it several times before the retreat.
The retreat will begin with Vespers at 5:30 p.m. on Monday followed by supper and the first conference at 6:45. Two conferences per day will be given, and the retreat will conclude with a closing blessing at 9:30 on Friday morning.
The suggested registration donation of $295 will include room, meals, and materials. The commuter donation for those not staying over at the abbey will be $175 (includes meals & materials). A non-refundable deposit of $20 is asked. For more information, contact Fr. Jonah at 563-588-2319 ext. 100 or chaplain@newmelleray.org.

Make checks payable to New Melleray Abbey

Contemplative Living in a Busy World
New Melleray Abbey
6632 Melleray Circle
Peosta, IA 52068

Overnight participant: full payment of $295
Commuter Fee: $175
A room deposit of $20 (to be applied to registration fee upon arrival)