Into The Land of Carmel – July 12-17, 2026

Event Phone: 630-969-4141

A Weeklong Retreat in the Carmelite Tradition

Sunday, July 12 – Friday, July 17, 2026

The Carmelite tradition began with a small group of Christians coming together in a valley on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land in the late 12th century.  Life in the valley included an atmosphere of silence and solitude. The hermits came together for daily Eucharist and weekly dialogue.  Their fundamental activity was a contemplative attending to God’s loving presence and hospitality to other pilgrims.

Eventually the Church invited the Carmelites to share our spirituality in ministry.  We became Contemplatives in Action.  This retreat/seminar will reflect our faith life and ministry lived for 800+ years, in allegiance to Christ, seeking light amid darkness within and around us.  We follow the Universal Christ being revealed in our future, as he empowers us to reveal God’s Kingdom.

Since Fr. Jack Welch, O. Carm. and Keith Egan T.O. Carm. were both reclaimed by God last year, we want to continue this powerful Into the Land of Carmel retreat which both Fr. Jack and Keith were so instrumental in creating.  I had the privilege of working closely with Fr. Jack for several years.  We often reflected on the evaluations about where to go in the future.  In recent years, we talked about getting back to the basics of Carmelite Spirituality which may have been covered in previous years and often presumed.

With the help of our Carmelite Rule and the saints as our guides, we will explore the origins of Carmel, our living tradition, our role in the Church and Society, and the experience of mysticism and contemplative prayer.  Carmel is inspired to teach the Church to pray and help us all create God’s kingdom here on earth because of the Presence.  We hope Jesus calls you here to bring the Land of Carmel alive.

—  Fr. Bob Colaresi

PRESENTERS
Robert Colaresi, O. Carm.; Quinn Conners, O. Carm.; Leopold Glueckert, O. Carm.; Kelley Hendersen, T.O. Carm.; Mother Madonna of the Assumption, O. Carm.; Michael Joyce, O. Carm.; Michael Mulhall, O. Carm.; Tracy O’Sullivan, O. Carm.; Cindy Perazzo, T.O. Carm.; Sr. Veronica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, O. Carm

Cost:

$475 – double room     —     $625 – single room     —     $375 – commuter rate

Registration Deadline:  July 7