Friday, 14 March – Sunday, 16 March 2025

Riches for Prayer from the Poetry of Rilke

On the brink of the centenary of the death of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, we will be devoting our quiet weekend of reflection and meditation to mining several rich seams of imagery from his poetry. Fr Martin will interpret a range of poems (in translation) which have shaped his faith and life of prayer over five decades, and participants will have the chance to test how themes from his poetry can resonate powerfully in their own ‘sacred imaginations.’

Father Martin L. Smith is well known throughout the Episcopal Church and beyond for his explorations of contemporary spirituality through workshops, retreats and preaching, and widely read books, including The Word is Very Near You, A Season for the Spirit, Reconciliation, Compass and Stars, Love Set Free, and recently, with the Rev. Julia Gatta, Go in Peace: the Art of Hearing Confessions. He has over thirty years of experience in training and supervising preachers and spiritual directors. Now retired, he makes Washington, DC his base for a roving ministry of spiritual formation and teaching.

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