The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-19
RETREAT FOR THE PRIESTS.
Period of secIusion for the Roman Catho-
lie Clergy.


The Roman Catholic clergy in the diocese
Of Virginia have their retreats" only every
two wears. I'm some states they are held
annually. The next one for the priests
hernabolts will take place IN Ge0rget0Wh
College. near Washington. IN 1871.
Very few persons have any idea OF what
the priests do while on retreat. IL II
really retirement from active duty ior
short season Of meditation ana PRAYER
Next year. for instance, when the Nf9lnia
clergy 90 TO Georgetown, each as ne en''is
the college. will ascertain from bulletin
nosted i'm the main corridor Of that institu-
lion To what room he has been assigned, ana
onotbor Will tell him what the dairy eNer-
cisns of the retreat will be. When all the
nriests will have arrived. they will assem-
hle in the hall. and some father VIII deliver
discourse in which he will announce the
points Of the meditation for the next morn
ing. Then the priests will 90 to the chapel
where they will rccitc prayers toge'hsr.
after this they will retire 10 their rooms lor
The night. By the rules of the retreat tney
must observe strict silence NJ All umcn OK
cent during the hours Of recreation.
Tho next morning at O'Clock the sleep
inc clereymen will be reused, and hall -
tour later they Will be summoned 10 tie haii
far nn hours meditation on the SUBJECTS
mentioned i'm the discourse Of the previous
evening. After this exercise viii come
morning PRAYERS and mass. Immediately
after mass. which will have been cobcludea
by hall-past :. breakfast VIII De served
Not "A word will be uttered during tnls nl,a'.
| After breakfast the priests VIII De allo"su 10
| walk i'm the grounds tO permit the lfesh air
IN ,et into their lungs. For fifteen or
tOentv minutes this exercise VIII last.
Then will come recitation OF the "Little
| Hours of the bireyiary, conference OF an
hour's discourse on some topic Oi priesu,
duty. and the daily examination oi con-
! science. These exercises VIII take up y
| good portion of the forenoon. The time mat
| xiu intervene may be spent as each priest
desires. but silence must not be broken.
About half Of the noon hour VIII be de-
voted 10 dinner. one priest VIII perform
the duty Of reading aloud from an apP,opl-
ate book while the meal Is Delng sel'eu' np
wiu take his dinner IN silence aiierWaiu'
Var an hour after dinner the priests viii DO
As they please. They may enter ihlo con-
yer.atlon. walk about the grounds, rest. or
| sngaoe i'm other agreeable occupations.
From 80 until 6 o'clock Will be spent ~
| the recitation Of Nespers ana comp ines u,
common. the saving Of the rosary, ana
the listening TO a discourse. Whatever lte'
time will Intervene will be spent as durinp
the morning. supper VIII be eaten ~
silence at o'clock, except that, as a, uin
ner time, there will be reading alouu' y
short period Of recreation VIII iollom. o,hn, in,
evening exercises VIII consist VI anV'"'
discourse. At O'Clock all will retire.
| The exercise : Of other days VIII be sim
lar. Toward the end OF the retreat q
priests will prepare themselves for comics
Sion 10 other clergymen who VIII De IL
readiness.