The Christian Heritage Centre

Clergy retreat

The Fatherhood of the Priest

Monday 28th April - Friday 2nd May [2025]

“I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel”

Preached by Fr Jose Granados, Superior General of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Vice-President emeritus of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family Life

What does it mean for a man to become a father? And how does Christian fatherhood inform the priesthood?

The priesthood today faces a duplicate challenge: that of the priest’s identity before a secular world, and that of adequately understanding masculinity in a post-modern society.

In this retreat, Fr Jose Granados, dcmj, will first offer a theological reflection on the nature of fatherhood, before moving to the novelty of the Christian fatherhood inaugurated by Christ, in order to finally consider the priesthood as a Sacrament of the Father.

  • Secular and religious clergy, deacons and seminarians welcome
  • The retreat will be preached, with opportunities for confession.
  • Clergy are welcome to celebrate Mass individually at their own time or to concelebrate, using both Theodore House Oratory and St Peter’s Church.
  • Daily Holy Hour and Compline.

Rev. José Granados, dcjm, is the Superior General of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and co-founder and president of The Veritas Amoris Project

Fr. Granados earned a Doctorate of Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (2004, Bellarmine Award). He also holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Pontifical University of Comillas (ICAI), Madrid. He teaches theology of marriage at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary (Denver, CO) and at the Séminaire International d’Ars (France).

From 2004 to 2009 Fr. Granados taught dogmatic theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America. From 2010 to 2019 Fr. Granados was the Vice President and Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute, Central See (Rome). He is a member of the scientific council of the journals Revista española de teología and Gregorianum

He has been a consultor for the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith (2013-2020), to the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life (2018-2023), and to the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops (2015-2020).

He has authored several publications including; “An Introduction to Sacramental Theology. Signs of Christ in the Flesh”, CUA Press, Washington, DC 2021; “Una sola carne en un solo Espíritu. Teología del matrimonio,” Palabra, Madrid 2014; “La carne si fa amore. Il corpo, cardine della storia della salvezza,” Cantagalli, Siena 2010. Rev. Granados is co-author, with Carl Anderson, of “Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.”

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.

Arrivals are welcome on the Monday from 1pm for a 3pm start.

Departures on Friday are from 3pm.

Cost:

£440 (includes single, en-suite room and full board)

If you require assistance in meeting the costs of the retreat, please contact [email protected]

Please register below (£50 deposit payment required):

 
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]