Dates: March 27-29, 2009
Location: Mary, Mother of the Church Abbey (Richmond, VA)
Guest Speaker: Robert Louis Wilken
William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of the History of Christianity, Department of Religious Studies, University of Virginia
General Theme of 2009 Retreat: The Love of God and the Spiritual Life
Readings: [TBA, January 2009]
Tentative Schedule of 2009 Retreat
Friday, March 27, 2009
6:30-7:30pm: Arrive at Mary Mother of the Church Monastery
7:30: Evening Prayer (Conference Room, Lower level)
8:00: Faculty Reception and Dinner (Lower level)
8:00: Faculty Reception and Dinner (Lower level)
9:30: Night Prayer
Saturday, March 28, 2009
8:00-8:30am: Breakfast
9:00: Morning Prayer
9:30-11:30: First Session "Origen (185-232) and Gregory of Nyssa (c.329-c.389)"
Presenter: Robert Louis Wilken, Religious Studies, University of Virginia
Background Readings: TBA
Background Readings: TBA
11:30: Mass
Noon: Lunch
1:00-2:30: Free time (Confessions with Abbey priests available,1:30-2:30: Location TBA)
Noon: Lunch
1:00-2:30: Free time (Confessions with Abbey priests available,1:30-2:30: Location TBA)
2:30-4:30: Second Session: "Augustine (354-430) and Bernard of Clairvaux (c.1090-1153)"
Presenter: Robert Louis Wilken, Religious Studies, University of Virginia
Background Readings: TBA
4:30: Evening Prayer
5:00: Dinner
4:30: Evening Prayer
5:00: Dinner
7:00-8:00: Third Session: "The Psalms and the Spiritual Life"
8:00: Night Prayer
8:30pm: Faculty Social
8:00: Night Prayer
8:30pm: Faculty Social
Sunday, March 29, 2009
7:30-8:00am: Breakfast
8:30: Morning Prayer
9:00: Mass with the Benedictine Abbey monks (Abbey Church)
10:00: Departure
Contact Numbers
Mary Mother of the Church Abbey: 12829 River Road, Richmond, VA 23238, Tel: 804-784-3508,Fax: 804-784-2214; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Robert Wilken (Religious Studies): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Joe Davis (Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture/Sociology): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Additional Opportunities at the Abbey
-Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is available in the Abbey chapel from 5 a.m. until Midnight.
-The Abbey is located on 50 acres overlooking the historic James River.
-Basketball Gymnasium access; outdoor soccer fields and track.
Driving Directions from Charlottesville
Take I-64 E for about 50 miles.
Merge onto VA-288 S at Exit 175 to Chesterfield (about 5.5 miles)
Exit at Patterson Ave/VA-6 E towards Richmond and drive about 1 mile,
Then turn right on Pagebrooke Dr and travel another mile.
Turn right on River Rd. The Abbey is located at 12829 River Road.