Emmaus Retreat Testimonials
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As it is said in Proverbs 27:17, 'Iron is sharpened by iron, / one person sharpens another.' In a society where male connection is scarce, a good retreat provides a Christlike community within which men can support men. It also allows time for prayer, thus enabling change at an interior level. Experienced presenters provide the fruit of the vine, ensuring energy and nourishment. And last, a good retreat offers quiet space for solitude, where the love of men, the movement from prayer, and the presenters' content blend to be the foundation for spiritual growth and service. This is what the Emmaus Retreat for Men is accomplishing." Deacon Eric Kisper
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"On the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), the disciples were leaving Jerusalem dejected and disillusioned because they thought that the death of Jesus meant the death of their hope for a redeemed Israel. Jesus, who they didn't recognize then, reminded them of the salvation history they were forgetting.
We, too, can become disillusioned when our lives are not as we had hoped and the world's trials and temptations weaken our faith. The purpose of the Road to Emmaus Men's Retreat is to get us back on track, like the disciples who returned to Jerusalem when they recognized the resurrected Jesus "in the breaking of the bread." The retreat does this in three ways: 1) education about the scriptures and salvation history, 2) spiritual practices to welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives, and 3) commitment to service, thereby becoming the hands of Christ in our communities. This three-day/two-night experience is designed for Catholic men interested in and ready to take the next step in their own spiritual journey. Our hope is that sharing this weekend with other men seeking to deepen their faith will inspire all of us to a greater connection to God and each other." Pat Madden
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Testimonials from the Emmaus X Retreat (Oct. 2024)
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"It was an enormous blessing to be able to spend time with a group of men all looking to find ways to improve and enhance their relationship with the Lord. I learned much from listening to the descriptions of their spiritual journeys. They spoke of their struggles and their triumphs, and there was great wisdom gained from all of those experiences. I came away with a greater clarity of the things that I can do to get closer to God and to use my gifts to serve in our parish and our community. "
"Men find it difficult to have intimate conversations with other men about subjects like their faith or issues that expose their own weaknesses. The Road to Emmaus Retreat provided a safe environment which allowed me and the men who participated to have intimate conversations with each other. These conversations showed me that my experiences are not unique. It helped me to understand my feelings better. It validated my faith. The men became my brothers and I was able to create close bonds with several of them that I know will endure long after the retreat is over."
"Thanks again for this wonderful retreat you and the team put together. It was a special weekend that I felt drawn closer to God and my brothers. I thought the topics discussed by the speakers were inspiring and thought provoking. I was reminded how reconciliation is all about love and God’s tremendous mercy. What a beautiful sacrament. I’m blessed to know so many faithful men who think as I do, in that we have been given the greatest gift in our Catholic faith . God bless."
"This was my fifth Emmaus weekend. This weekend for some reason, was the best yet. The presentations were magnificent, and the discussions were wonderful. We had so many men present who were so involved in various ministries in the church (altar servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Singers, Deacons, Marriage Ministry, etc.), was it any surprise that it was so incredible. The presentations and the discussions that followed were incredible. I would highly recommend it to any and all men in the parish. "
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"This weekend’s Road to Emmaus Retreat was a great opportunity for me to spend time away from the busyness of life and to focus intentionally on my relationship with God. For me, the personal sharing and the fellowship among these Catholic men were intimate, inspirational, and transformative. They were also reflective of their deep devotion to God, as well as their desire to continually seek ways to be better disciples. Finally, after being Catholic for nearly 25 years, this retreat enabled me to discern an important question that I always struggled with—Why Did God Choose Me? This weekend has given me that answer, as well as how I can best use the spiritual gifts God has given me to bring others into communion with Him."
"After attending the Catechetical Convocation and listening to the many ways to evangelize in our current time, the Road to Emmaus retreat provided a peace-filled weekend to discern those ideas. During the retreat with twenty men of faith, I was able to gain a clearer insight on how to use my spiritual gifts for God's glory. Through fellowship and prayer, I was encouraged and motivated to share my faith with others in practical and meaningful ways."
"The Road to Emmaus Retreat was an amazing experience and the re-treat name is quite fitting since we truly walked with Jesus and learned more about his ways. The discussions were extremely insightful and encouraging, the fellowship and camaraderie was great, the facilities are beautiful, and we were significantly nourished with the word of God. However, the greatest experience was that we left the re-treat on mission, with definitive insight, tools and resources to help each man discern and identify God’s calling in each of our lives so we can better build the Kingdom on Earth. God Bless"
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