PRIEST RETREAT HOUSE

at the SHRINE OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT

what is the priest retreat house?

Located on the beautiful grounds of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Priest Retreat House provides a private retreat space for Priests, Deacons, Seminarians and Religious Brothers, to spend quiet time resting, reflecting and recharging in an atmosphere of peace, brotherhood and sacramental grace.

The Priest Retreat House is provided and prayerfully supported by the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration.

why do we offer this at the shrine?

A charism of our Poor Clare Nuns, which naturally flows from their devotion to the Holy Eucharist, is prayer for Priests. It is through Priests’ hands that Our Lord becomes present among us, and so in gratitude, the Nuns offer their prayers and sacrifices particularly for them. Our Nuns have embraced wholeheartedly the call of the Church to take on the charism of spiritual motherhood, supporting our Priests by their hidden lives of prayer and sacrifice on Priests’ behalf, after the example of Mary, Mother of the Eternal High Priest. All of this is lived out in the Franciscan spirit of simplicity and joyful dependence on God's Providence in every aspect of our lives.

Offering a place for Priests, Deacons, Seminarians and Religious Brothers to go for peace, quiet and rest, is a tangible way to show our gratitude for their great service in the Church.

The Holy Priesthood is particularly special to us, because without the Priesthood we would not have the Most Blessed Sacrament and without the Most Blessed Sacrament, our Shrine and the life of our Poor Clare Nuns would not have an object or purpose.

"See, daily He humbles Himself as when He came from the royal throne into the womb of the Virgin; daily He comes to us in humble form; daily He comes down from the bosom of the Father upon the altar in the hands of the Priest." - Saint Francis of Assisi

From the very beginning of his conversion, Saint Francis was imbued with a deep reverence and appreciation for the Priesthood. He recognized the gift Our Lord gave to His flock in instituting the Holy Priesthood, as well as the gift He gave to those men whom He would choose to be ordained. He understood how intimately related the gift of the priesthood is with the gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist. All of these graces and insights that filled the heart of our holy Founder continue to inspire and direct the lives of all those who share in the Franciscan charism and to bear fruit in the life of the Church.

As Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, called to a form of life that is principally illumined by the Blessed Sacrament, this deep appreciation for and desire to uphold and serve the priesthood instituted by Jesus on Holy Thursday strikes an especially resonant chord in our hearts. This is the heartbeat that inspires the mission of the Priest Retreat House at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. We know that without Priests, we would not have the Eucharist, and that is our Lord's desire to come to us through the ministry of His Priests, called to and formed by a deep friendship with Him. The gift of Christ comes to us through His gift of Himself to His Priests.

It is our prayer that the Priest Retreat House will serve as a place of renewal, encouragement, and rest in the midst of an often turbulent and confusing world. May all who come find the deep peace and joy that comes from the Heart of Christ and the comforting and maternal care of Our Lady, Mother of Priests.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

The Priest Retreat House at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament offers the following accommodations for Priests, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Seminarians:

Private rooms including a full bathroom, personal air conditioning unit and soundproofing
The Turris Davidica Chapel open for prayer anytime of the day or night
Two additional small chapels for private Mass
Dinner is provided every evening. Guests may choose to dine in community or in the silent refectory
Extensive library
Gym
Conference room
Communal and private sitting rooms for reading, spiritual direction, or recreation
Transportation to and from the Birmingham or Huntsville International Airports

Guests are also just a few steps from the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the Castle of San Miguel, the Lourdes Grotto, and 400 acres of beautiful grounds.

Private Chapel	Dining Room	Guest Room
Private Meeting Room/Lounge	Conference Room	Gym

is your parish priest in need of a retreat?

Consider sponsoring a trip for him to our Priest Retreat House.
Or make a donation to help cover the cost of the meaningful services we provide.

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Priests, Deacons, Religious Brothers and Seminarians,
visit our Reservation page to find answers to frequently asked questions and to make a reservation!

Make a Reservation