# Retreat Houses in Malta

Many Catholics and other Christians regularly engage in spiritual retreats to follow the example of Jesus to a solitary place to spend time in prayer (such as in Mark 1:35). Spiritual retreats formalised in their current structure by St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556), in his Spiritual Exercises. Ignatius was later to be made patron saint of spiritual retreats by Pope Pius XI in 1922. The Spiritual Exercises is a collection of meditations and reflections to enhance one's connection with God that guides the person on a religious retreat through a series of contemplative practices with the assistance of an experienced spiritual director. Traditionally, this retreat requires a month of silent prayer and meditation in a retreat centre, although one can also be undertaken over the course of nine months "in daily life" through daily prayer, readings and meditations, together with periodic meetings with the spiritual director. Retreats may take many forms, spread over a day, a weekend, or longer away from home and familiar routines, under the direction of a priest or lay spiritual director, featuring talks, reflections, and time for personal prayer Keeping a journal may help to further enhance the spiritual experience. The following is a list of retreat places in the Maltese Islands:
Malta :
| Name | Location | Run by | Capacity |
| Christ the Shepherd | Tal-Virtu, Rabat | Archbishop’s Seminary | 98 * |
| Mount St Joseph Retreat House | Targa Gap, Mosta | Jesuits | 78 |
| Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan | Santa Venera | M.U.S.E.U.M. | 60 |
| Retreat House | Tas-Silġ, Marsaxlokk | Discalced Carmelites | 55 |
| La Salle Centre | Mellieha | De La Salle Brothers | 54 * |
| Rivotorto Retreat House | Birkirkara | Centru Animazzjoni u Komunikazzjoni (ĊAK) Conventual Franciscans | 47 |
| ŻAK House & Flatlet | Birkirkara | Żgħażagħ Azzjoni Kattolika (ŻAK) | 44 |
| Savio College | Dingli | Salesians | 37 |
| Chapel of Christ Our Saviour (Kappella ta' Santu Kristu) | Għaxaq | Ghaxaq parish | 30 * |
| Lunzjata Retreat House | Rabat | Carmelites | 30 |
| St Joseph Retreat House | Rabat | Sisters of St Joseph | 28 |
| Sala Marija Ewkaristika | Żebbuġ | Fergha Ewkaristika | 26 |
Gozo :
| Name | Location | Run by | Capacity |
| Manresa Retreat House | Victoria | Jesuits | 48 |
| Stella Maris House | Żebbuġ | Missionary Society of St Paul | 37 |
| Dar Madre Teresa Spinelli | Għajnsielem | Augustinian Sisters | 32 |
* ↑ Mathis, David (2020-08-06). "Time Alone for God: The Ageless Habits of Jesus Christ". Desiring God. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Bible Gateway passage: Mark 1:35 - New International Version". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Fr. Hardon Archives - All My Liberty - Appendix II: Apostolic Constitution of Pius XI Declaring St. Ignatius Patron of All Spiritual Exercises". www.therealpresence.org. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "St. Ignatius of Loyola - Jesuit, Priesthood, Spiritual Exercises | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2025-02-08. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "The Spiritual Exercises". Ignatian Spirituality Center at Saint Thomas More. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "The Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life | Saint Thomas More Community Church". www.morecommunity.org. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ McCloskey III, Fr C. John (2014-03-02). "Why and How to Make a Retreat". The Catholic Thing. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Retreat Houses". Archdiocese of Malta. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Retreat Houses". Archdiocese of Malta. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Mount St Joseph Retreat House". Centre for Ignatian Spirituality, Malta. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan | Ċentru tal-Konferenzi". Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan. 2014-05-30. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Tas-Silg ‹ Order of the Discalced Carmelites Malta". Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Mellieħa Retreat Centre". la salle malta. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Rivotorto". www.cakmalta.org. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "ZAK House". ZAK Malta. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ Ciantar, Noel. "GXQ Santu Kristu". www.kappellimaltin.com. Archived from the original on 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Dar tat-Talb «Lunzjata»". Karmelitani. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Retreat Houses – Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition". Retrieved 2025-02-10.
* ↑ "Manresa House". Centre for Ignatian Spirituality, Malta. Retrieved 2025-02-10.