I got to learn about the retreats from my beautiful girlfriend. We were going through a bit of a tough time when unknown to me, her mentor convinced her to attend a retreat for young ladies in Tigoni. That weekend, she didn't answer any of my calls. When we met the following week, it was clear to me there was something different about her... something peaceful! And I wanted it! She told me about the retreat and what it is and why it is she was unable to answer my calls. I decided to find out when the next retreat for young men would be and signed up. It would be in June. And when June came around, I was in Tigoni for the first retreat of my life.
Then there were the talks facilitated by the priest in the Chapel or in the main house by one of the directors. I have to admit this is where a notebook came in handy! The number of ideas and ideals I discovered sitting through those sessions was certainly enough to fill my notebook - especially for a first timer such as myself. My biggest discoveries were most certainly the talk on the virtue of holy purity and on the Sacrament of Confession. The other great thing from that retreat was making friends with my mentor who even today - 4 years later - I still meet with regularly.
Needless to say retreats are now an annual fixture in my calendar! And it is easier nowadays since I discovered some two good friends from my parish who also attend retreats in Tigoni. So now we usually organise to attend a retreat together.
MM