Retreats
Following the Benedictine tradition of ‘welcoming all as Christ’, we invite you to take time away from the busyness of everyday life and consider a retreat at the Community of Jesus, on the shores of Cape Cod Bay. We are privileged to share with our fellow pilgrims the beauty of Bethany and Paraclete Retreat Houses, and the Church of the Transfiguration, as hallowed spaces in which to find direction and renewal. In the setting of this monastic community, surrounded by simple beauty, and lovingly prepared meals, many have experienced God’s healing presence, peace, and strengthening Word.
Weekend Invitational Retreats
Every year we offer an invitational weekend retreat with a scriptural theme each month, from January through December. The themes are inspired by the seasonal significant events. The retreats focus on our relationship with Jesus, for this is the key to everything else. When we are following, abiding in, communing with, and seeing Jesus, then that relationship becomes the source—HE becomes the source—for everything else that follows. The retreats include accommodations and all meals, teaching and discussion times, quiet times for meditation, journaling, resting, and enjoying the beauty of the surroundings. Please check back for the specific monthly themes. See the registration page for specific details (link below). We warmly welcome you to join us!
Trust in the Lord: Living with True Confidence
July 24-26
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5–6
What does trusting in God mean? What does it not mean? What happens when our hearts and our minds are in “disagreement” with one another? What “understandings” do we rely on that may be hindering us in our walk with Jesus. On this retreat we will face these questions and more, in order to increase our trust in God and learn how to walk both humbly and confidently in His ways.
Growing Old with God: Bound Hands and Free Hearts
August 21-23
Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go. John 21:18
What does the Bible have to say about aging? How do we age with grace and with confidence in God? How do we deal with both the limitations and the liberties of growing older? In a culture that elevates youthfulness, what divine significance can be seen in the value of age? On this retreat, as we stand at the doorway to autumn, we will look at some of the Biblical examples and principles of growing older with God.
The Life-Giving Power of God’s Word
September 25-27
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
God spoke, “and it was so.” We know that words have power, and especially when spoken from the mouth of God. If God’s word creates life, if it carries the very authority and life-giving power of God, then shouldn’t we be listening to it more eagerly and speaking it more fervently? On this, the first of our autumn retreats, we will ask ourselves: is our ear open to hear the word of God? And, is our tongue ready to declare it? Answering these two questions every day, with a confident “yes,” is the goal of this retreat.
The Stability of Wisdom
October 23-25
Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding. Proverbs 3:13
In an age when unlimited information is at our fingertips, and the accumulation of knowledge is made as simple as clicking a button, why is there still so much chaos and disorder—both around us and within us? The purpose of this retreat is to learn a new way—the way of wisdom. What is wisdom, and why does the Bible say that happiness depends on finding it? How do we find it? And how do we come to know the peace that accompanies it?
Trust and Obey
November 13-15
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust. Happy are those who keep my ways. Psalm 40:4; Proverbs 8:32
Two things are particularly challenging to the human heart: trusting in God more than in anyone or anything else; and, obeying God, especially when what he asks of us seems so difficult, even impossible. Is the path before you clouded by fear and anxiety? What is God asking of you? What steps of trust and obedience is he asking you to take? The purpose of this retreat is to learn how to increase our trust in God and how to strengthen our obedience to his direction.
A Wonderful and Generous Exchange
December 4-6
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
Mustering up the faith and energy to serve God each day can be exhausting and, eventually, self-defeating. But God does not expect us to live that way. On this retreat, during the season of Advent, we will explore the meaning of a wonderful and mysterious exchange—God gives his own life to us; we give our lives to him; and he gives us back even more. And, we will look at the practical questions that it raises—What are you holding back from God? What are you keeping him from giving to you? The coming of Jesus tells us that God’s generosity to us is limitless. What does that mean for us?
Please Email: guestmistress@communityofjesus.org or Call: 508-255-1094 X3501
Gregorian Chant Retreats
The eloquent expression of Gregorian Chant is a musical icon of the Word of God. It conveys holiness and lifts the heart, mind, and soul in prayer.
Each year we offer two Gregorian Chant Retreats, and all are very welcome – beginners as well as those already proficient in Gregorian Chant.
September 27-30, 2026
Fall Chant Retreat: The Noble Chants of St. Michael & All Angels
Join us for a three-day Gregorian Chant retreat (Sunday dinner through Wednesday breakfast) focused on the Chants for Michael and All Angels. Be nourished by the beauty of the monastery. Participants will join the Community of Jesus for singing the Liturgy of the Hours in the “acoustical marvel” of the Church of the Transfiguration. All experience levels are welcome – beginners as well as those already proficient in Gregorian chant. Accommodations and all meals included.
Personal Retreats
We welcome you to join us for two or three days of personal retreat. You can choose to have a quiet, private time, or a directed retreat using materials provided at the Guest House. There are daily liturgies in the church in which you are invited to participate if you would like. Meals are prepared and served by the Sisters in the Guest House. If desired, spiritual direction is available.
Group Retreats
Paraclete Retreat House is a wonderful setting for a group retreat, with accommodation for overnights and meals, and spaces for teaching and conversation. Spiritual direction can be made available for individuals, and retreats can be designed according to particular goals and needs. All retreatants are invited to participate in the daily liturgies in the church. We look forward to welcoming you, and we pray that this opportunity to “come away” will bless and refresh you.
Rates
Personal Retreat: One overnight and three meals
Suggested donation ranges from $215 per person to $265 per couple
Group Retreat rates, please call the Guest Mistress.
All prices are suggested donations; scholarship possibilities are available.
Family House Retreat: Suggested Donation is $4,000 per week. Meals available at additional cost.
Please contact the Scribes Office at 508-255-1094 or email for more information.
The Community of Jesus is a member of the Association of Benedictine Retreat Centers, an organization of approximately 40 member centers working together to foster the Benedictine charism in retreat ministry. You can learn more about these centers who wish to “welcome all as Christ” by visiting this website.
