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Has anyone stayed at the Benedictine Monastary for the Silent Retreat?

mark connolly

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
sept 2016 CF
sept 2017 Lourdes to SJPDP via Piemonte
SJPDP to SDC via CF
2019 CF (God willing)
According to John Brierley's guide book, San Salvador del Monte Irago Monastary offers a two day silent retreat. Has any one taken it? Know anything about it? Please advise............

A couple of things to consider:

According to this forum, about eight years ago, an angry mob ran the monks out of town. According to the guide book, they seem to be back in business. Which begs the question: Did another angry mob run the monks back into town?

I sent off an email to John Brierley as well, since he may know a little bit more.
 
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Speaking in general of silent retreats: You will be warmly welcomed, shown to a room which is sparely furnished but has all the essentials, advised of the meal schedule and the times of the Daily Office. Meals are taken in silence. The Daily Office - that is, the round of church services - is open to you (you would be sitting with the congregation, not with the monks). There may be a morning Mass included. Depending on the site, there may be spiritual direction offered; this would be an opportunity to talk with a monk who regularly offers counsel. Apart from the Daily Office and any spiritual direction sessions, however, the time will be spent in silence. This can be very refreshing, especially given that the Camino Frances is so full of pilgrims.
 

It would do me a world of good to be silent and keep my opinions to myself for a couple of days Seriously, this sounds wonderful but I went to the monastery site and can't tell if women are allowed. Does anyone know?
 
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Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

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Thanks so much, it's on the list for the next trip!
 
Purple Backpack said:
It would do me a world of good to be silent and keep my opinions to myself for a couple of days Seriously, this sounds wonderful but I went to the monastery site and can't tell if women are allowed. Does anyone know?
Click to expand...

Monte Irago is gender neutral ;-) Buen Camino, SY
 
Altus 24 Liters daypack (DENON 24 H30)
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

Just to be clear - the monks were neither run out of town nor run back in again. Years ago there was some very shortlived difficulties in the relationship between the Order from outside Spain and the local community. Thankfully any misunderstandings were resolved and everyone has lived happily together ever since.
 
The incident certainly explains why while the monastery is gorgeously restored the church was in a sad state when I was in Rabanal in 2012. So sad that things cannot get sorted so that this beautiful little church can be brought back to its former glory.
 
Why and how does it explain it?

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.
 
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