Monastic Wisdom for Everyone

The long history of monasticism dating back to the Egyptian desert fathers and mothers of the fourth century extending all the way through the popular writings of Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating in our own day has accumulated a wealth of spiritual wisdom and insight about how to engage life to the fullest. Join Br. Ephrem Arcement, OHC and the monks of Holy Cross Monastery in exploring the spiritual wisdom of the monastic tradition and learn how to better translate our ideas about God into a living reality.

In honor of All Saints’ Day, this year’s retreat will focus on the spiritual wisdom of particular monastic saints. Consider coming a day early to experience the full round of liturgies in honor of All Saints’ Day and festive midday meal on Friday, November 1st. The retreat, however, will not officially begin until Friday evening.

Br. Ephrem Arcement, OHC spent ten years as a Benedictine monk of St. Joseph Abbey in Louisiana before transferring to Holy Cross Monastery where he now serves as guestmaster. Br. Ephrem brings years of experience to his retreat ministry and has a particular interest in helping make the vitality of the Christian spiritual tradition understood and made accessible to all who are interested in deepening their spiritual lives. Br. Ephrem holds a PhD in Spirituality from The Catholic University of America. His two books are Intimacy in Prayer: Wisdom from Bernard of Clairvaux and In the School of Prophets: The Formation of Thomas Merton’s Prophetic Spirituality.

To register, please contact our Guesthouse Office by phone at 845-384-6660, ext. 3002 or email guesthouse@hcmnet.org.