Why might I want to go on retreat?

Taking a time away from the demands of everyday life, to be quiet, to pray, to worship, to read, rest, and relax, allows us to refocus our lives on what is most important to us. Some people come on retreat at moments of transition, where they feel the need for particular discernment. Others come on retreat simply to refresh and renew their spirit. Our relationship with God, like all human relationships, needs attention and care to grow. Times of retreat allow us to turn our whole selves to God, to listen and be attentive to the voice of God. Many people experience retreats as times when God seems particularly near.

What will I do with my time?

The Brothers meet for several services marking the hours of each day, beginning with Morning Prayer and ending with Compline. On most days, Brothers and guests will also gather to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We invite guests to join us for all these services, or as many as they wish. The midday and evening meals punctuate the day as we eat together, often in silence, with one Brother reading aloud from a book or while listening to recorded music.

Between these hours, our Chapels are open to guests for silent prayer and meditation. Our collection of books on spirituality, of biography or fiction might tempt you. The Monastery and Emery House are situated in beautiful natural settings conducive to recreation, offering paths for walking or jogging. Many guests report, after a retreat, how surprised they were by the rich joy of being able to rest, even to the point of napping for long hours each day!

What days can I come on retreat?

Guests may arrive at our houses from Tuesday through Friday, depending on the length of their stay. We ask that guests request stays of no less than two nights. There are normally no arrivals on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.

Retreat space may not be available for the exact dates you request. In this case, the Guesthouse Team will be in contact with you to determine flexibility around your requested arrival or departure dates.

At the Monastery you may arrive between 11:30 am and 12:15 pm, or between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. At Emery House you may arrive between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

If you are joining us on a monthly Quiet Day, you may arrive as early as 8:00 am.

If you cannot arrive within these windows, please email to verify that an alternative arrangement is possible.

All guests leave by Sunday afternoon, when our guest facilities close for the Brothers’ Sabbath, from Sunday evening to Tuesday morning.

How often can I come on retreat?

Retreat space at both the Monastery and Emery House is quite limited, and periodically throughout the year our houses are closed as Brothers attend to the Community’s needs in chapter meetings, and to their own needs for retreat, solitude, prayer, and contemplation.

To ensure that as many people as possible may enjoy retreat, we have instituted the following guidelines for the 2025-2026 program year:

  • We ask that you request only one reservation per program year (July-June).
  • If you make a second request, it will automatically be assigned to the waitlist. Should space remain available, we will offer reservations to those on the waitlist.

We reserve the right to decline applications for retreats. Deposit checks will be returned to any applicants declined.

If you live near the Monastery in Cambridge, we also recommend our monthly Quiet Day offering.

How can I schedule a retreat?

To book a retreat, at either the Monastery Guesthouse or at Emery House, please review available dates on our website and submit a reservation request form online by selecting your preferred date range.  Please note, we are only able to offer reservations during the dates listed on our website.

To secure a reservation, you’ll need to make a deposit of 50% of the total retreat cost.

If you are a young adult or student and would like to apply for financial support, please use our Scholarship Application form to request a reservation.

For other inquiries, including questions about or changes to a confirmed reservation, please contact the Guesthouse Team by email at reservations@ssje.org.

How do I use the online registration form to select the dates I want to come on retreat?

Our online registration form has been updated for the 2025-26 program year. Please see details below on filling out the form so that our hospitality team can get back to you as quickly as possible.

Self-Guided Retreats

Under "Retreat Details," select "Self-Guided." The first field under this is a drop-down field listing all the weeks that we offer self-guided retreats, and the days during those weeks available for guests to join us. For example, during the week of September 9-14, 2025, the guesthouse is open for guests to be with us Tuesday through Sunday. Please select your preferred week first.

How to select a desired date range for a self-guided retreat

Next, indicate, using the Arrival Date and Departure Date fields, when during that week you would like to arrive. It is important that these dates fall within the range of the week selected above (for example, you may choose to arrive on September 9 and depart September 13, which falls during the September 9-14, 2025, week). If your selected Arrival and Departure Dates fall outside the range of the selected week, there may be a delay in processing your request.

How to choose a date that falls within the desired range

 

Program Retreats and Quiet Days

After selecting either "Program Retreat" or "Quiet Day," the first field will allow you to select your desired program or Quiet Day. Simply select it and continue to fill out the form.

Can I meet with a Brother during my stay?

If you would like to meet with a Brother for spiritual direction during your stay, please schedule a Companioned Retreat.

Brothers may be available at other times for individual meetings, but this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed.

How can I get to you, and where can I park?

The Monastery in Cambridge is readily accessible via public transportation. For directions to the monastery click here.

Due to community, staff, and emergency access needs, guest parking is not available at the Monastery in Cambridge. (For-fee, public parking garages are available nearby.)

For directions to Emery House click here.

Guest parking in two lots is available at Emery House, West Newbury.