The Spirituality of Friendship 2017

If the event is listed as sold out please call us at 661-944-2178 for real time availability and waiting list. Office hours are from 8:30am- 5:00pm (closed for mass & lunch *11:45a.m- 1:30pm) Check in time starts at 3:00pm. Check out time is at 10:00am (exceptions may apply).

The Spirituality of Friendship  

Friday, May 26 - Sunday, May 28, 2017

Retreat Description: This retreat will explore the ways of friendship-human and divine. In the light of God's offer of creative and redemptive love to us in his Son, we will examine what the human experience of friendship offers us as we progress toward maturity in relationships. Our relationship with God is seen as I-Thou, and our human relationships as an intimate way of becoming and knowing ourselves by knowing another. Friendship will be seen as the human side of God's intention that it is "not good for man (or woman) to be alone." and that deep friendships enhance our relationship with God and vice versa. St. Aelred's work, Spiritual Friendship (Cistercian Studies, available at the Abbey bookstore) is a good resource for exploring this theme.

Presenter: Father Francis has been a monk of Valyermo since 1967. He earned an MA in Philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University and an MS in Theology from Mt. Angel in Oregon. He was ordained a priest in 1976. He served as the Abbey's abbot for 16 years. His special areas of ministry include spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working with 12-step recovery groups. In addition to many responsibilities at the Abbey, he now serves as the Director of Oblates.