I finally have settled down for a few days at home before I head back to the Seminary to begin the summer formation program, and I have a few minutes to write about the College's end-of-year silent retreat and where it was held.
Cardinal Glennon College Seminarians participate in a five-day silent retreat at the end of the year, to wrap things up and give a 'spiritual boost' (as it were) to the men as they enter their summer months. We go away from the Seminary to the King's House retreat center in Belleville, Illinois. The King's House has pretty good food, beautiful trails (including one for the outdoor way of the cross), and a quiet, natural atmosphere. Here's a picture of one of the views from the walking trails:
And if that's not enough, you get an even better view of some beautiful wildlife; a great variety of birds, many different woodland critters (squirrels, chipmunks, deer), and even a few interesting snakes and spiders. The natural setting is a great boon for spiritual contemplation and meditation, especially if one rises early and gets out on the trails before all the wildlife is scattered from the bustle of the lawn maintenance crew.
Here's a picture of a dandelion before it was cut down by a lawn mower (I love these little weeds, even though they seem to spread worse than a cold virus through a Seminary):
It's not all perfect at the King's House, though. I found silence and blindness (i.e. closing your eyes to avoid distractions) were sometimes necessary if one wanted to pray in the 'Brother Mel' chapel.
Even so, the chapel's not too bad if you can think about the fact that Jesus is still present, even behind the fish-ernacle and other 'works of art.' At least it's very quiet!
On Silence
In my opinion, everyone beyond a certain age should try to spend at least a weekend in a silent retreat. The first day isn't too bad, but on the second and third days, you can begin to gain many spiritual fruits from the sacrifice involved in not constantly talking to and gossiping with others you're around.
The silence creates an atmosphere of reflection and contemplation; a time when you can build your personal relationship with Jesus to a greater extent than if you were to simply adore the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament for an hour or two (that is not to say adoration is a bad thing!). I would suggest that anyone going on this kind of retreat center the day around Holy Mass, and try to find a retreat master who will lead the retreatants into a contemplative atmosphere, and not necessarily just meditative or reflective.