2026 US Retreat
October 19-22, 2026
Spiritual of the Passionists
Guest Speaker: Dr. Tom Octave
Dr. Octave is the director of the retreat center and, in addition to his role with the Passionists, is a prominent figure in sacred music. He previously served as the Diocesan Director of Sacred Music for the Diocese of Greensburg and as Chairperson of the Music Department at Saint Vincent College. He holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University, an MM from Duquesne University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation.
Prices are not yet set, but will be around $600. Yes, this is a substantial increase over previous stays at St. Paul of the Cross, they have raised their prices quite a bit.
https://passionistsspiritualplaces.org/st-paul-of-the-cross
Schedule
Monday, October 19
4:30 pm Retreat begins with Word and Table (Chapel)
Palm Sunday, Festive hope and longing
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Opening Gathering (St. Gemma Conference Room)
8:00 pm Compline (Chapel)
Holy Monday Eve, Jesus looked around at everything …
9:00 pm Convivium
Tuesday, October 20
7:00 am Morning Prayer (Chapel)
Holy Monday, the Anointing at Bethany
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Presentation 1 (St. Gemma Conference Room)
10:30 am Mid Morning Prayer (St. Gemma Conference Room)
10:45 am General Chapter Meeting (St. Gemma Conference Room)
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Self-care time
2:00 pm Mid Afternoon Prayer (St. Gemma Conference Room)
2:15 pm Presentation 2 (St. Gemma Conference Room)
3:45 pm Hors d’oeuvres of Saint Luke
4:30 pm Word and Table (Chapel)
Holy Tuesday, Jesus speaks of his death
6:00pm Dinner
7:00 pm Break / Discussion of Writing Projects
8:00 pm Compline with Healing Rite (Chapel)
Holy Wednesday, betrayal and healing
9:00 pm Convivium
Wednesday October 21
7:00 am Morning Prayer (Chapel)
Maundy Thursday, Foot washing and anointing
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Presentation 3 (St. Gemma Conference Room)
10:30 am Mid Morning Prayer
10:45 am General Chapter Meeting Continued (St. Gemma Conference Room)
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Word and Table (Chapel)
Maundy Thursday, the Supper continues
2:30 pm Testimony of candidate(s) for Life-Vowed Membership
3:00 pm Break / Discussion of Writing Projects
4:30 pm Memorial Rite with Transitus (Chapel)
Good Friday, we die with Christ
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Festive Vespers (Chapel)
Holy Saturday, waiting in hope
8:30 pm Convivium
Thursday October 22
7:00 am Morning Prayer (Chapel)
The Resurrection, Christ is Risen!
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Packing and Reflection on the Rule of Life
10:30 am Mid Morning Prayer
10:45 am Word and Table, Profession of Vows (Chapel)
Transferred Feast of St. Luke, Emmaus and Resurrection
12:00 pm Departure
8:30 pm Convivium