Have you ever been on a retreat before?

If the answer is yes, then more than likely you will probably remember the
great feeling of getting away from your regular routine and doing something
so different and interesting. Perhaps you have gone on a Confirmation
retreat with your classmates or a youth retreat with people from your
parish. No doubt you will remember the time set apart for prayer, quiet
time, and fun! Many people look back at their retreat experiences and
often talk about the way those retreats have changed their lives
You will find a similar experience of prayer, quiet-time, and fun if you
choose to join us for the retreat experience here at the Seminary.
On the other hand, you may have never gone on a retreat before and that's
fine because the Cathedral Prep experience will be unlike any other.
Everyone starts anew.

Upcoming Retreat

March 14th—16th
Retreats begin on Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m.
Palm Sunday Weekend with Sunday Mass at
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with
His Eminence
Edward Cardinal Egan

Come and join us!

Who can go on these retreats?
Students in high school from freshmen year thru senior year are invited to
join the Prep retreats. You also have to have some initial interest in the
priesthood. This does not mean that you are entirely sure that you want to
be a priest. What is required is at least some interest in exploring the
possibility of priesthood. Let's say that you think about marriage, for
instance, as much as you do about the priesthood. That's wonderful! These
retreats are definitely for you. You will find that the retreat is a great
time to seriously ponder God's vocation in your life. Spending time in
prayer and asking God for direction will never be a waste of time for anyone
who comes on the retreats! When and where do these retreats take place?
About once a month. Usually toward the end of the month, the retreat
weekends begin on Friday evening around 8:00pm and conclude on Sunday
morning with Mass at 9:00am The retreats take place at St. Joseph's
Seminary in Yonkers, New York. One whole wing of the Seminary building is
designated as the Prep area with its own meeting space, living quarters and
chapels.What is the schedule like?
For the most part, the schedule of the retreat follows a certain rhythm.
Most of the young men on the retreat often talk about how fast the retreat
goes usually because they are having such a good time. Occasionally, there
might be certain variations in the schedule because of the speakers or
because of special events taking place. Here is what a typical schedule for
the monthly retreats looks like in a detailed fashion:



Friday Evening

8:00 pm Arrival of Students,
Greeting, Rules, Room assignments
8:30 pm Music and Eucharistic Prayer Service (conducted by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal) Rector’s Chapel
9:35 pm Conference Retreat Director
10:30 pm Snacks
11:00 pm Announcements / Rule Reminders / Evening Prayer
11:35 pm Bedtime
Silence Observed Above the First Floor
No Room Visitations Permitted

Saturday Morning

7:20 am Wake up bell
8:00 am Morning prayer (Cathedral Prep Chapel)
8:20 am Breakfast
9:15 am Conference
10:45 – 11:30 Examination of Conscience and Confessions
11:30 am Holy Mass (Deacon Chapel)
followed by lunch

Saturday Afternoon

1:15 pm Catechetical Instruction in classrooms
2:30 pm Holy Hour [Exposition /Adoration /Benediction] Deacon Chapel
3:35-5:35 pm Recreation time
Basketball court. The pool will be open. Lifeguard will be present. Other features: Bowling Alley, Ping Pong, Billiards, and Exercise Room. If the weather permits: outdoor activities.

Saturday Evening

6:00 pm Evening Prayer in the Main Chapel with Seminarians
6:30-7:30 pm Dinner in Refectory
7:45 pm Conference
8:15 pm Rosary Candle-Vigil in the Cloister
9:00 pm Final Conference, Discussion, Announcements
9:30 pm Movie
11:30 pm Night Prayer
11:45 pm Bedtime

Sunday Morning

7:30 -8:00 am Very light Breakfast / Clean up time afterwards/
8:15am Morning Prayer / Announcements
9:00am Family Mass (members of families of retreatants join us)
10:15am Breakfast with family members

PICTURES

Retreat weekend pictures