re: Manresa House of Retreats

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Is it better than just going solo camping over the weekend with no electronics?

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It depends on you.

Normally these retreats will give you some sort of direction on what you should be thinking about... Some have talks where a leader will share a story and relate it to scripture, to have you ponder. Those talks can be short multiple per day or longer and fewer. Generally meals are communal in that you'll sit at a table in silence with other people and not talk. The purpose/goal is to be quiet and listen to what God is trying to say to you.

The most profound one I've ever been on was 4 days with a private spiritual director. I was working through a cousin dying too young, and his brother being sent to prison for BS so the spiritual director I was working with met with me once per day for 30min to an hour and we talked about that stuff for that time but was in silence other than that.

I've never solo camped for more than a day/evening. Always have a buddy or two/family with and those aren't silent.

Me. It’s awesome. Had some great experiences there. Jesuits are great.

It’s awesome. If you’re growing in your spiritual life, or want to, I highly recommend. The grounds are awesome, 400+ acres that include walking oak alleys and the banks of the ms river. I used to save a few beers from lunch and build a bonfire during the day that I would light at night while I drank beers watching the tugboats go by. The food there is phenomenal too, deserts after every meal.

Holiday weekends are easier to get in.

AMDG

Also recommend Our Lady of the Oaks in Grand Coteau. It’s very much like Manresa but half the size. (50 guys vs 100+)

Grand Coteau has a very different landscape but the meals, schedule, etc are the same. Well… except Manresa has alcohol.

I go to houseboat alone a couple weekends a year. But friends that go seem to get a lot out of it.

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I’m holding out for Womanresa.

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They’ll meet you and it’ll be Whoa-Manresa.