Calligraphy Retreats

Lettering the Word Retreats

• Developing a personal relationship with Christ through His Word
• Slowing down and spending more time with the Scriptures using the medium of calligraphy
• Daily Lectio Divina sessions preceded by brief conferences
• Participation in the Divine Office and Mass with the monastic community
• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Silence throughout the week or weekend
• A chance to break away from everyday concerns by fasting from technology
• Instruction in the lettering techniques used in the daily lectio sessions
• A rural and beautiful environment and the opportunity to walk the grounds

 

Preparatory Retreat (#3)

Preparatory weekend for the Lettering the Word Advanced Retreat in May (#4).  Continuation of daily Lectio Divina practice and introduction to the Half-Uncial style of lettering developed by Benedictine monks for transcribing the Scriptures in the 8th century.  Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Prerequisite: Lettering the Word Beginner’s Retreat (#1A or #1B) and the Lettering the Word Follow Up Retreat (#2).

 

Beginner's Retreats (#1A and #1B)

Introduction to the practice of Lectio Divina as a way of drawing closer to Christ through the Scriptures. The retreatants will learn a simple calligraphic script developed by Benedictine monks in the 10th century to transcribe the Bible.  Felt-tipped calligraphy markers will be used. Friday evening through Monday afternoon. Offered each year on Memorial Day weekend (#1A) and Labor Day weekend (#1B).

 

Advanced Retreat (#4)

The week will focus on drawing closer to Christ through the Scriptures using the practice of Lectio Divina. The participants will learn the Half-Uncial script and illuminated letters used by Benedictine monks to transcribe the Scriptures in the 8th century. Monday evening through Saturday afternoon. Prerequisite: Lettering the Word Beginner’s Retreat (#1A or #1B) and Lettering the Word Follow Up Retreat (#2).  Offered each year beginning on Memorial Day and explores a different historical script used in Bibles handwritten by monastic scribes.

 

Follow Up Retreat (#2)

Continuation and deepening of daily Lectio Divina practice. Beginners are introduced to the use of ink pens for transcribing the Word. Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.  Prerequisite: Lettering the Word Beginner’s Retreat (#1A or #1B).