Spiritual Exercises / Retreats
Silent Retreats (Exerzitien) are days of silence spent within a group of people who are following their longing for rest and for God. In such times, inner themes and the feelings connected with them often rise to the surface — things that are easily pushed aside in everyday life. In daily spiritual accompaniment sessions, attention is given to where the Spirit of God is inviting healing, a deepened relationship with God, and a more fulfilled life. According to where each person finds themselves, suggestions for spiritual practices are offered and explored together.
Different formats are possible. A single day of silence or a silent weekend can serve as an “experiment in silence.” Retreats in daily life, a silent week, or eight-day retreats open a space for deep, life-changing encounters with God.
See the ray of sunlight. Every living being delights in it and seems to possess it entirely for itself — and yet earth, air, and ocean are filled with its light. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is present to every attentive creature, as though it were the only one in the world.
leise und ganz nah...
Short Retreat at Kloster Kirchberg
April 8–12, 2026
„You are softly and very near to me…” We will spend four days in the beautiful rooms, gardens, and forests in and around Kloster Kirchberg. During this time, we will practice various spiritual exercises and open ourselves to God’s loving nearness.
In the silence, we become attentive to the healing inner movements of the Holy Spirit. Elements of these days include sustained silence, shared and personal reflection on biblical texts, daily accompaniment conversations, body-awareness practices, and time spent in nature.
The date for 2027 has already been set: March 31 – April 4, 2027
Ignatian Meditation on Scripture
So-called Ignatian meditation of Scripture is a central spiritual practice in many retreats. With the help of the imagination, biblical texts — often scenes from the Gospels — are “entered into.” More background and practical guidance can be found on the following page:
Retreats in Daily Life
Retreats in daily life are spiritual practices lived out within the rhythms of ordinary life. Participants commit themselves for four to six weeks to a path with four elements:
1. A daily personal reflection on Scripture of about half an hour, with suggested texts and guidance.
2. A daily evening review of the day.
3. Weekly group meetings in which different forms of meditative engagement with biblical texts are practiced, and participants share their experiences from the week.
4. One or more one-on-one accompaniment conversations.
Retreats in daily life are especially well suited to opening people to spiritual experiences within their everyday lives. Many experience them as an introduction to a more contemplative and attentive way of living. Various materials for retreats in daily life can be adapted to the local context and situation.
God is always ready — but we are very unready.
God is near to us — but we are far from him.
God is within — we are outside.
God is at home in us — we are in the far country.