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QUESTION: Is a deposit required?
Answer: No. The exact date of the deadline for payment is on the registration form.
QUESTION: If I come on Saturday only, is the cost $115 for me?
Answer: Yes, and that includes three meals with the monks on Saturday.
QUESTION: How do I get to Saint Leo Abbey?
Answer: 33601 State Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574-9700
Park anywhere in the large lot with the US Post Office trailer on west side (Google maps shows post office incorrectly) or across from the Guesthouse. You may unload your car by the church: Abbey Ct. and Grove Street. Abbey has a large luggage cart if you think you need it.
From Tampa or Gainesville. Exit 285 on I-75. Go east on State Road 52. Follow the road until you see St. Leo Abbey on the left. Drive past abbey to the main entrance of St. Leo University on the left. Turn left into St. Leo University, go around circle and follow the sign to abbey. Park in lot by abbey (lot with US Post Office on west side) or across from the Guesthouse.
From Lakeland. I-4 WEST to Exit 36 in Lakeland. Travel NORTH on Highway 98 until it merges with Highway 301. Turn right on 301. At first traffic light, Clinton Ave., turn left. Proceed until intersection at Prospect St., turn right. Proceed to traffic light, turn left onto County Rd 52. St. Leo University is half mile on right. Turn right into St. Leo University, go around circle and follow the sign to abbey to your left. Park in lot by abbey (the lot with the US Post Office tailer on west side) or across from the Guesthouse.
QUESTION: Are pictures permitted inside the abbey and church?
Answer: Yes.
QUESTION: What is the appropriate attire for the retreat?
Answer: Church casual. No shorts are permitted in the Church or the abbey’s dining room on the first floor.
QUESTION: I keep hearing the Lake Room is cold and that I should bring a sweater and/or a jacket. What happens if I decide not to bring a jacket and/or a sweater?
Answer: Most likely you will be cold. This is fair warning!
QUESTION: May I check in before 5:00 pm on Friday?
Answer: Perhaps if I arrive earlier on Friday. But it is best to plan on check-in at 5:00 pm. If you arrive early you can still enjoy the abbey grounds or pray or do lectio divina in the abbey church. Spend time sitting and watching the lake and listening.
QUESTION: If I am not spending the night, when and where do I check-in?
Answer: The first conference is Friday at 7:30PM so please check-in between 7:05PM and 7:30PM at the entrance to the Lakeroom (conference room) on the 3rd floor. If you are not arriving until Saturday morning, check-in will be in the Refectory at Breakfast. It will be best if you arrive at 7AM for Lauds and follow the group to breakfast immediately following Lauds. Otherwise, check-in will be at the entrance of the Lakeroom prior to the 2nd conference at 9AM. Please do not interrupt the conference by arriving after 9AM.
QUESTION: When will the conferences start? Conference #1 will be Friday at 7:30PM. Then conferences throughout the day on Saturday.
QUESTION: Is there a subject for the retreat conference?
Answer: 2023 theme is: The Art of Listening in the Benedictine Tradition.
A program schedule may be available Friday at check-in for the retreat.
QUESTION: Do we share bathrooms?
Answer: Yes, there is one for women and one for men. There are two showers in each.
There is also a unisex bathroom with a shower.
And there is also a women's restroom without showers located in the middle of the fourth-floor hallway.
A floor plan of the 4th floor of the abbey (where we will be staying) will be available at the check-in table in the second-floor Saint Leo Hall lobby.
QUESTION: Will I have my own room? If you requested a private room during registration, you will receive one according to availability determined by first come, first serve as registration form and payments are received. Therefore the sooner the better to register for your retreat.
QUESTION: Is there a ramp into the abbey and elevator to the fourth floor?
Answer: Yes. Several years ago an elderly monk used a scooter and he could zip around all over the abbey without any problems.
QUESTION: Are sheets and towels provided?
Answer: Yes
QUESTION: What about meals?
Answer: We will eat with the monks for Dinner on Friday, three meals on Saturday and Breakfast on Sunday if you registered to stay overnight. If you are not spending the night, your retreat includes 3 meals on Saturday.
QUESTION: Is there a kitchen and eating area on the fourth floor?
Answer: Yes, there is a refrigerator (please label your items), a microwave, sink, and two coffee makers, napkins, cups, and a small table. The coffee drinkers tend to congregate here in the morning! Some people like to bring their own coffee makers.
QUESTION: Is it OK to bring a cooler with some food, snacks, drinks, or bottled water?
Answer: Yes, and wine and cheese is OK too. Whenever I am away overnight any place I always bring my own bottled water, but you may or may not depending on your preferences.
QUESTION: Should I bring an alarm clock?
Answer: Yes.
QUESTION: Is there any additional cost in addition to the registration fee I already paid?
Answer: No, you will not need any money except if you want to buy something at the abbey gift shop.
QUESTION: Is the abbey dining room on the first floor open all the time?
Answer: No, the abbey’s dining room is open only during the abbey’s meal times. The retreat kitchen on the fourth floor (where you will be staying) is always open.
QUESTION: Are there times when it is customary to be silent?
Answer: Yes, Abbot Isaac asks everyone to be silent walking from the church down to the dining room for all meals.
At meal times, please talk only after you take your food to your table. Please do not talk while serving your meal.
The time before prayers in the church with the monks are also times of silence.
QUESTION: How do we pray with the monks?
Answer: The abbey will supply prayer booklets for the weekend. You may also find it handy to download the free divine office app used by the monks. iBreviary. You can find the app in your app store on your phone or tablet.
QUESTION: Will there be any other people with us on the fourth floor?
Answer: Typically not.
QUESTION: If I lock myself out of my room, who do I call?
Answer: Upon check-in, you will be instructed on how to reach someone if you lock yourself out of your room.
Put the phone number in your phone so you will have it handy.
Always keep your phone with you in case you get locked out of your room.
IT IS EASY TO LOCK YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR ROOM. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR KEY WITH YOU!!
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR PHONE WITH YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR ROOM.
QUESTION: Is the abbey locked at night?
Answer: Yes. If you go out, make sure you have your phone with you so you can call someone you arranged to let you back in.
QUESTION: Will we walk in a group or procession outside the abbey while we are on retreat?
Answer: No, all retreat activities are inside the abbey or the church which are built together. You will not need to go outside for anything all weekend. But there will be time for walking on your own if you want.
QUESTION: My question was not answered, who should I call or email?
Answer: Send an email to oblatekerry@gmail.com
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