Personally Directed Retreats
Take a step into God’s presence to pray, listen, reflect. Enter the silence. Personally Directed Retreats provide an environment to meet the spiritual and personal needs of the individual. This is a time to grow at one’s own pace and schedule with the guidance of a personal conference each day. Whether you are searching for a new way of knowing God that is real and personal, wanting to deepen and refresh your faith, or may be at a crossroad and seeking direction, come and listen to your hopes, your heart, and the word of God, as God comes to speak within you.
Register for an Upcoming Retreat
| DATE | DIRECTORS | |
February 20-23, 2026 | Sr. Donna Steffen, SC; Fr. Paul Macke, SJ; Fr. Al DeGiacomo; Cissy Eyre; Stacy Hennessy; Roger Johannigman; Liz Tassone | Register |
May 1-6, 2026 | Sr. Donna Steffen, SC; Fr. Jeff Putthoff, SJ; Fr. Mike Graham, SJ; Sr. Sally Marie Bohnett, SND; Tom Sparough; Sr. Susan Kusz, SND | Register |
June 19-26, 2026 | Sr. Donna Steffen, SC; Fr. Bob Thesing, SJ; Fr. Del Staigers; Marc Greenberg; Mary Dean Pfahler, SND; Pat DeGroot; Linda Young | Register |
July 10-15, 2026 | Fr. Paul Macke, SJ; Fr. Al DeGiacomo; Sr. Charlotte Hobelman, SND; Cissy Eyre; Liz Tassone; Sr. Ruth Lubbers, SND; Sean Reynolds | Register |
July 31-August 7, 2026 | Sr. Donna Steffen, SC; Fr. Jeff Putthoff, SJ; Mary Ann Hegner; Lori Hamilton; Fr. Del Staigers; Marc Greenberg; Amy Hoover | Register |
October 2-9, 2026 | Sr. Donna Steffen, SC; Fr. Al DeGiacomo; Fr. Paul Macke, SJ; Julie Murray; Sr. Fran Repka, RSM; Sr. Kathleen Hine, SND; Sr. Joyce Diltz, PHJC | Register |
December 6-11, 2026 | Fr. Paul Macke, SJ; Fr. Al DeGiacomo; Dan Roche; Sr. Dorothy Schuette, OSB; Julie Murray; Todd Long; Chuck Kohl | Register |
Spiritual Exercises
Retreats include solitude, personal prayer guided by scripture, daily conference with spiritual director, Mass and morning prayer.
Examen
God is found in our experiences. During each retreat, the Examen is offered as a process to reflect on our daily experiences with God.
Silence
Often in our busy world we struggle to hear God’s voice. Silence deepens our spiritual life, and enables us to listen to the presence of God within ourselves.
Discernment
Retreatants deepen their relationship with God through their own freedom of choice, whether making a major life decision or finding a new perspective on a certain situation.
What is a Personally Directed Retreat?
Rooted in the Gospel and the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Personally Directed Retreat has been a part of the Jesuit tradition at Milford for more than forty years. You will be praying in community with others, but on your own schedule, following the needs and hopes you have brought. Each retreatant will meet with a Spiritual Director who serves as a companion on their week-long journey listening, responding and supporting them throughout their retreat. The time away includes daily liturgy, and other activities designed to deepen one’s awareness, such as journaling, reading, working with art materials, listening to music, resting, or walking our 37-acre-grounds.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Day of Arrival:
Arrival – 4:30pm
Check-in – 5:00pm
Dinner – 6:00pm
Typical Day:
Breakfast – 8:15am
Lunch – 12:30pm
Mass – 5:00pm
Dinner – 6:00pm
Spiritual Direction is scheduled sometime throughout the day by the retreatant and their director.
*Retreat schedule is subject to change.
Each day will include a Mass along with a meeting with a spiritual director. There will be plenty of time for enjoying the grounds, spending time in quiet prayer and reflection, resting, or whatever else you may wish to do. Some days will include optional morning prayer and evening prayer activities.
- Personal Spiritual resources (i.e., Bible, Journal, or reflection materials)
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Deodorant
- Lotion/moisturizer
- Eye mask and/or earplugs
- Shower shoes
- Bathrobe
- Slippers
- Sweater or jacket
- Extra pillow and/or throw blanket
- Medications
- Special shampoo or soap
Each bedroom has a sink, writing table, chair, small closet, and a bible.
There are three communal wash rooms in the retreat house. Each wash rooms has private bathrooms, shower stalls, and dressing rooms.
Meals at Jesuit Spiritual Center are served in our beautiful common dining rooms. Our kitchen staff takes great pride in providing nutritious meals. We can accommodate most special dietary needs you may have, with prior notification.