Calligraphy Retreats

Lettering the Word Retreats

• Developing a personal relationship with Christ through His Word
• Slowing down and spending more time with the Scriptures using the medium of calligraphy
• Daily Lectio Divina sessions preceded by brief conferences
• Participation in the Divine Office and Mass with the monastic community
• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Silence throughout the week or weekend
• A chance to break away from everyday concerns by fasting from technology
• Instruction in the lettering techniques used in the daily lectio sessions
• A rural and beautiful environment and the opportunity to walk the grounds

Preparatory Retreat (#3)

Preparatory weekend for the Lettering the Word Advanced Retreat in May (#4).  Continuation of daily Lectio Divina practice and introduction to the Carolingian style of lettering developed by Benedictine monks for transcribing the Scriptures in the 9th century. Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Prerequisite: Lettering the Word Beginner’s Retreat (#1A or #1B) and the Lettering the Word Follow Up Retreat (#2).

Beginner's Retreats (#1A and #1B)

Introduction to the practice of Lectio Divina as a way of drawing closer to Christ through the Scriptures. The retreatants will learn a simple calligraphic script developed by Benedictine monks in the 10th century to transcribe the Bible.  Felt-tipped calligraphy markers will be used. Friday evening through Monday afternoon. Offered each year on Memorial Day weekend (#1A) and Labor Day weekend (#1B).

Advanced Retreat (#4)

The week will focus on drawing closer to Christ through the Scriptures using the practice of Lectio Divina. The participants will learn the Carolingian script and illuminated letters used by Benedictine monks to transcribe the Scriptures in the 9th century. Tuesday evening through Sunday afternoon. Prerequisite: Lettering the Word Beginner’s Retreat (#1A or #1B) and Lettering the Word Follow Up Retreat (#2).  Offered each year beginning on Memorial Day and explores a different historical script used in Bibles handwritten by monastic scribes.

Follow Up Retreat (#2)

Continuation and deepening of daily Lectio Divina practice. Beginners are introduced to the use of ink pens for transcribing the Word. Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.  Prerequisite: Lettering the Word Beginner’s Retreat (#1A or #1B).