Going on Retreat: A Beginner's Guide to the Christian Retreat Experience

by Margaret Silf

Covers such information as why people go on retreats, what types of retreats are available, what role the retreat companion plays, how people prepare for retreats and subsequently sustain their retreat experience, and how to find a retreat center that is nearby. Original.

201 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps I am not the most unbiased reviewer, because I wanted to know very specific things from this book. I am going on a retreat in May 2012 and wanted to know what I should expect and moreso how to get the most from my personal retreat. This book helped a bit with that, but I felt I gained it largely through osmosis rather than clear statements, and that I had to wade through a lot of irrelevant material to get there. Although it mentions other styles, the book is primarily focused on retreat settings in which one is assigned a prayer companion to assist you, likely because the author herself is a prayer companion. The most helpful sections for my needs were those on what to bring (being told not to bring books other than the Bible will be a helpful suggestion, I suspect) and the constant reminder to both stay prayerful, write a lot of notes, reflect, exercise, and relax. In that sense, the book helped me to focus on the key elements to truly make my retreat God-centered. I also found the final chapter on the variations of how to follow they Ignatian spiritual exercises fascinating, and I would also like to work through them in the future. Still, I felt that this book, for as broad as it tried to be, still ended up focused on a very particular kind of retreat. I would have liked to read more on what to do on self-guided retreats.

[Adam Shaeffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

She's not kidding about the "beginner's guide" . . .

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read for new or experienced retreatants, full of sound advice and preparation tips.