How to arrange a group retreat at the monastery
Planning a group retreat for Mother of the Redeemer Monastery means recognising that this is a home for an Olivetan Benedictine community in the Diocese of Lafayette, not a conference centre with a packaged programme. Prayer, work, silence and shared meals shape the monks’ daily rhythm. The retreat should create space for reflection while respecting the community and its ministry.
Groups may seek a day of recollection, a quiet period away from work or a longer residential retreat, but availability, accommodation and activities depend on the monastery’s schedule. Sleeping arrangements, meals, meeting space, accessibility, transport and opportunities to join prayer should be discussed rather than assumed, making early contact the essential first step in arranging a group retreat at the monastery.
Australian organisers need to allow for a substantial journey. Visitors from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide often fly through New Orleans or another US gateway before travelling to Lafayette Regional Airport and driving about 40–50 kilometres to Plaisance. Plaisance normally observes Central Standard Time, 16 hours behind Brisbane and 14 hours behind Perth; the gaps with Sydney and Melbourne change with daylight saving.
Preparation should include pastoral expectations. Participants are guests within a Catholic monastic setting, so silence, punctuality and courtesy matter. Contact the monastery early, accept its guidance and focus the visit on prayer rather than treating the community as a backdrop for a busy social programme.
Begin with the purpose of the retreat
Start by defining the purpose of the retreat and the attention it demands. A lay group might want silence and guided reflection, while a parish team may value shared prayer, a monastic conference and time in the refectory. Youth groups, couples and bereaved groups need different levels of support, and leaders should explain those needs honestly.
Choose a date only after confirming availability and the pattern of the days. Avoid a schedule dominated by travel. If the group wants private workshops or extensive catering, ask whether these fit the monastery’s mission and facilities. A retreat works best when its aims are modest, clear and compatible with Benedictine life.
Preparation can begin at home. A leader might set a daily rhythm of silence, Scripture and a short evening observance, then explain which parts are optional. For additional reading, the night prayer resource may help a team explore night prayer before arrival. Do not rehearse answers to questions that belong to the monks themselves.
Make the first contact
Make the first contact with a concise written enquiry. State proposed dates, group numbers, purpose, accessibility requirements and any special meal or medical needs. Ask who coordinates group retreats, what a standard day includes, what accommodation exists, and whether a deposit or agreement is required. Give the monastery time to respond.
Pastoral expectations deserve equal attention. A mixed Catholic and interdenominational group can attend suitable prayer and quiet activities, but should not assume every visitor may receive Communion or join every sacramental rite. The monastery’s guidance should take priority; a congregational approach to baptism and communion illustrates why sacramental practices may be understood locally rather than assumed across Catholic communities. Raise any such question before the group commits to a plan.
Protect participant information. Australian organisers should apply the Privacy Act 1988 where it applies and relevant state or territory health-privacy rules to emergency contacts and medical details. Collect only what is needed, restrict access to the roster and share it securely with the monastery. Also ask about photography, phones, access to other areas and the response to a health emergency.
Plan travel and practical needs
Build a travel plan with buffers. Allow a full day for international arrival and do not place a retreat session immediately after a long flight. Depending on fares and routing, travellers may reach New Orleans by direct or connecting service and then drive around four hours to Lafayette; an overnight in Lafayette can simplify the final transfer.
Coordinate across Australian time zones and check which home states observe daylight saving and the applicable dates. In everyday Australian travel planning, this means allowing for airport transfers, school holidays and public holidays while participants arrive from different states. Louisiana summers are hot and humid, with thunderstorms common, so carry water and light clothing. Winters are generally mild, but mornings and evenings can be cool.
Confirm how the group will move between airport, guesthouse and monastery. A hired shuttle or group coach may be more practical than several cars. The monastery’s account of building in rural Louisiana explains why a rural setting is central to its life and why advance planning matters. Bring medical details, emergency contacts and travel insurance covering illness and evacuation.
Shape a prayer-centred day
Request the daily programme rather than inventing it. It may include canonical hours, Mass or other prayer when visitors are welcome, silence, a meal and a monastic conference. Catholic observance is central, but guests should learn what participation means on the day. Keep free periods free; a monastery retreat is not a schedule to fill with optional talks.
Meals are part of the retreat’s character, not merely catering. The refectory meal guide explains how to join the monks for meals in the refectory. Ask when the community eats, whether guests sit with the monks, how conversation and silence are balanced, and how dietary needs are handled. Leaders should set expectations before arrival so the group does not expect a private dining room.
Prepare for a rhythm slower than a hotel programme. Dress neatly but simply, keep phones away during prayer and meals, and agree that participants will follow instructions about silence. Any practical contribution, such as food preparation or event support, must be discussed first, especially when the community is observing silence or offering hospitality.
Compare formats and costs
Ask for a written quotation and clarify what it includes. Costs may depend on length, group size, meals, accommodation and donated facilities. In the Australian market, organisers commonly expect a clear breakdown, invoice details, deposit terms and a cancellation policy. Compare the proposal with the group’s budget rather than with a conventional packaged weekend; a contemplative retreat offers a different balance of hospitality, space and cost.
Some visitors also wish to support the monastery’s work and the planned chapel expansion. The current ways to give page explains available forms of support. Any donation should remain voluntary and separate from a booking fee. Do not assume a payment or gift sent overseas is tax deductible: eligibility generally depends on the recipient being listed by the ATO as an overseas aid organisation, so check the rules and seek professional advice.
The comparison below is a planning aid, not a list of guaranteed offerings. Availability and suitability must be confirmed directly with the monastery.
| Option to ask about | Main emphasis | Details to confirm | Financial point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day visit | Short prayer and quiet reflection | Arrival time, prayer access and refreshments | Fee, donation or hospitality terms |
| Single-day retreat | Silence, meals and a monastic conference | Meeting space, meal times and discussion periods | Per-person charge and included items |
| Overnight retreat | Prayer within residential hospitality | Rooms, bathroom access, evening schedule and quiet hours | Package, deposit and payment schedule |
| Joint or custom retreat | A shared purpose for two groups | Responsibilities, roster, privacy and on-site authority | Separate invoices or one written agreement |
Ask which option best matches the group’s purpose. If two organisations share a retreat, clarify who is financially responsible, how dietary needs are handled and which leader can make decisions on site.
Confirm the details and next steps
Ask for a final written itinerary, arrival instructions and a named contact before paying the balance. Confirm rooms, meal times, transport, silence periods, weather contingencies and procedures for cancellation or medical care. Send one concise participant pack rather than several conflicting messages.
Shortly before travel, reconfirm flights and the airport transfer. Participants should carry identification, copies of prescriptions, emergency numbers, modest clothing and suitable shoes. Build in rest after arrival, and nominate one Australian coordinator who can make decisions while most of the group is asleep or travelling.
Contact Mother of the Redeemer Monastery now with a proposed group size, flexible dates and a brief description of the retreat’s purpose. Ask for the next available conversation, send the requested details and allow the community to shape what is possible. A considerate booking respects both the group’s needs and the monastery’s life, while a voluntary contribution can help sustain the wider ministry and planned chapel expansion.