Can I Book a Retreat with SSJE?

Updated

Yes. The Society of Saint John the Evangelist (SSJE) presents retreats as one of the main ways visitors engage with the community, alongside worship and vocations. The homepage offers a direct Book a Retreat path, and news items reference retreat activity at both the Monastery and Emery House. The site does not publish current retreat dates, fees, or a booking form on the page reviewed, so treat "Book a Retreat" as the entry point and confirm availability, cost, and any login requirements directly with the community.

What SSJE Is, in Brief

SSJE is a monastic community of men in the Anglican Episcopal tradition. The brothers live a common life shaped by worship, prayer, and a Rule of Life, rooted in ancient monastic practice and "critically engaged with contemporary culture." That context matters for retreats: you are not booking a hotel or a conference center, but time alongside a praying community.

The Three Ways the Site Points Visitors Inward

The homepage groups visitor engagement under three actions:

Path What it signals
Worship With Us Public worship and chapel life at the Monastery
Book a Retreat Structured retreat stays, tied to the community's life of prayer
Become a Brother Vocations and the process of joining the community

If your goal is quiet time, reflection, or guided prayer rather than a vocational inquiry, the retreat path is the right one.

Where Retreats Happen

Two locations appear in the site's news and headings:

  • The Monastery — the community's primary home, where worship and chapel life are centered.
  • Emery House — a second site referenced in "News from the Monastery & Emery House," suggesting retreat and hospitality activity there as well.

The site also notes practical access information, such as a news item on "Access to Monastery and Chapel during Memorial Drive Construction." If you are planning a visit, check current news for access changes before traveling.

What the Site Suggests You Can Expect

The page evidence points to several elements that shape a retreat:

  • A rhythm of prayer and worship. The community describes its life as "shaped by worship, prayer, and our Rule of Life." Retreats are presented in relation to that rhythm rather than as a separate program.
  • Teaching on prayer. Current offerings include "Learning to Pray: Praying with Scripture" and "Learning to Pray: A 6-Part Series," which indicate the community's emphasis on practical, scriptural prayer.
  • Community events. "Feast with the Monks, 2026-27" and "Tuesday Worship and Fellowship for Students" show that some gatherings are communal and scheduled, not private.
  • Daily meditations. "Brother, Give Us A Word" is a daily meditation you can subscribe to — useful preparation before or after a stay.

How to Arrange a Retreat: A Practical Sequence

  1. Start at the "Book a Retreat" link on the SSJE homepage. This is the site's designated path for retreat inquiries.
  2. Check current offerings. The homepage news feed is where the community posts time-sensitive items (e.g., "Brothers on Mission, 2026-2027," "Feast with the Monks, 2026-27"). Look there for retreat announcements and seasonal changes.
  3. Confirm the location. Decide whether you are inquiring about the Monastery or Emery House, and check news for access notes such as construction closures.
  4. Ask directly about details the site does not publish. The reviewed page gives no retreat dates, rates, deposit terms, or cancellation policy. Contact the community through the site to get these in writing before committing.
  5. Prepare through the community's own material. Reading "Brother, Give Us A Word" or watching the vocations video ("Brothers reflect on why they came to SSJE") gives you a sense of the community's tone before you arrive.

Common Sticking Points

  • Assuming the site is a booking engine. "Book a Retreat" is a pathway, not a confirmed reservation system on the page reviewed. Expect to correspond with the community.
  • Assuming retreats are free or open to all without arrangement. The site mentions a "Subscribe" option, but that refers to the daily meditation, not to retreat pricing. No pricing or access terms for retreats appear in the reviewed material — verify them.
  • Missing schedule changes. News items like the "Election Night Vigil, November 3" and construction access notices show that the community's calendar shifts. Check the news feed close to your intended dates.
  • Confusing retreats with vocations. "Become a Brother" is a separate, longer process. If you are exploring monastic life rather than a short stay, use that path instead.

A Quick Decision Guide

  • You want a few days of silence and prayer with a monastic community → Begin with "Book a Retreat" and confirm dates and terms directly.
  • You want to attend public worship or a one-off event → Use "Worship With Us" and the news feed for scheduled gatherings.
  • You are considering monastic life → Use "Become a Brother" and the vocations video.
  • You want daily spiritual reading without traveling → Subscribe to "Brother, Give Us A Word."

The site is clear about the invitation and the shape of the community's life; the specifics of booking a retreat are best confirmed with SSJE directly.