Diaconal retreat
10th - 12th October 2025
The Eucharist
& the Liturgy
A retreat for permanent deacons, to include spouses
Preached by Fr Matthew Jarvis, OP, Prior of the Rosary Shrine
In this Year of Hope, our annual deacons’ retreat will turn to the ‘source and summit’ of that hope: the Eucharist.
The retreat will firstly explore ways of understanding the Real Presence, how the bread and wine are totally converted into the Body and Blood of Christ, gaining insights from the Church Fathers and medieval theologians like St Thomas Aquinas.
With St Irenaeus, the Doctor of Unity, consideration will be given to the seeking of fuller unity in the Church, through the relation between the communion of the Church and the communion of the Eucharist.
The retreat will also examine the meaning of liturgical texts and gestures, such as the office of Corpus Christi and the elevation of the Chalice.
Finally, the pastoral application of this theology and spirituality will be explored, such as the encouraging of frequent reception of Holy Communion with the proper preparation and dispositions.
Extend your retreat with a further 24 hours of private recollection or time out with the option to arrive on Thursday evening.
- The retreat is offered specifically for permanent deacons, married or unmarried
- Deacons’ wives are welcome to attend and participate
- The retreat will be preached, with opportunities for confession.
- The retreat will maintain silent recollection during the day, with time for sharing and social amongst participants in the evening
- The retreat timetable will include daily Mass, a Holy Hour and Compline.
- Single and twin rooms are available on a first come, first served basis
- Option to arrive on Thursday for an extra 24 hours of private recollection
Fr Matthew Jarvis is Prior of St Dominic’s Priory (the Rosary Shrine) in north London. He also serves as Provincial Secretary for the Dominican friars in Britain and as a member of the Order’s international liturgical commission. His intellectual interests include theology and church history, especially of the Patristic and medieval periods. He is presently researching the medieval and modern practice of Dominican chant for a part-time DPhil at Oxford University.
Theodore House offers a wonderful venue for any retreat. The tranquil and beautiful surroundings of the Stonyhurst estate offer a peaceful setting and endless opportunities for walks.
All accommodation is en-suite, with comfortable facilities and a beautifully lanscaped garden.
For more information about Theodore House, please click here.
For those arriving on Thursday, check in is available from 3pm onwards.
Arrivals are welcome on the Friday from 3pm for a 6pm start.
Departures on Sunday are from 3pm.
Cost:
Retreat only
Single room: £240 per person*
Twin room: £350 per couple*
*includes full board from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch
Thursday + Retreat
Single room: £340 per person*
Twin room: £490 per couple*
*includes full board from Thursday dinner to Sunday lunch
Please register below (includes £50-£60 deposit payment per person):
Venue & Getting to us:
If you are reliant on public transport, please consider traveling by train to Preston train station. From there, we aim to co-ordinate minicab shares or lifts amongst participants of any given event. If you require further advice or assistance, email us: [email protected]