THE MALVERN RETREAT HOUSE
St. Joseph's in the Hills, also known as the Malvern Retreat House, is a full service Catholic retreat and conference facility. It is located only 30 minutes away from Philadelphia in the heart of Chester County. Malvern is owned and operated by the not-for-profit Laymen's Retreat League sanctioned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Malvern has served millions of people over the past 80 years. Approximately 18 to 20 thousand retreatants, from about the age of 14 on up, come to Malvern each year.
Traditionally, Malvern has been known as a men's retreat house. But today, Malvern is so much more than that, and it has rightfully opened it's doors to everyone. In addition to the men's weekend retreats, other programs open to everyone include:
• A Day of Reflection - These are mini-retreats which are held from 9 am until 3 pm and include a continental breakfast and a full lunch. The is usually one held during Advent, and another during Lent;
• Twilight Retreats - These are single night retreats, including a full course dinner. There are twilight retreats for married couples near Valentine's Day, mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, parents of special children, and Catholic students attending public high schools; and
• Special weekend retreats, such as the Married Couples Retreat, the Family Retreat, and the Charismatic Group Retreat.
• Breakfast Retreats – Held on certain feast days and each first Friday. Includes Mass, breakfast and a talk.
The facilities at St Joseph's in the Hills offer spacious accommodations for both large and small groups. There are residential buildings containing private rooms; a large auditorium, and an auditorium beneath with adjacent breakout rooms for smaller meetings. Malvern also has two beautiful chapels, four oratories for private adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a beautiful dining hall, and a large gift shop. The cost for each of these retreats is very reasonable.
All exercises are voluntary. It is entirely up to the retreatant to participate in as many of the spiritual exercises as he or she would like. Naturally, there is the celebration of the Eucharist. Plus, you'll have an opportunity to go to reconciliation if you wish, pray the Rosary and walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross alone or with others. You can participate in discussions about topics of interest to you, have a private conference with a retreat director and enjoy time set aside for meditation, attend thought provoking conferences by top homilists, or experience the solitude of silence walking the beautiful grounds wherein you can leisurely re evaluate your priorities and values. One of the highlights of the retreat is the private adoration time alone with he Blessed Sacrament...just you and Jesus...no one else. During this most holy time, you can sit and have a conversation with the Lord, or just listen to Him in Silence. He has so much that he wants to tell us, but we often don't take the time to just listen.
Please consider making a retreat this year!
For more information about any of these programs or retreats, call the Malvern Retreat House at 610-644-0400.