The Encounter With Silence Retreats are given twice every summer by Fr. John-Mary Tompkins, O.S.B., of St. Vincent’s Archabbey, Latrobe. Fr.John-Mary is the vice-rector and director of spiritual formation at St.Vincent’s seminary.

The seven-day silent retreats for 2026, taught by Father John-Mary, will be given at two locations during the summer.

The Martina Spiritual Renewal Center in Pittsburgh (West View) will host the retreat from June 14 to June 21.

St. Emma Monastery in Greensburg will host the retreat from July 17 to July 24.

For further information, follow the links above to visit the websites of the retreat houses.

Retreatants are asked to bring only a Bible and notebook. Focused on providing spiritual direction, the retreat concentrates on the teachings of the Gospel and the writings of many Catholic saints. It is based on the first week of the thirty-day Ignatian retreat.

The late Father John Hugo, one of the earliest presenters of the retreat, called it a “scriptural retreat” with “six days of silence, meditation and prayer”; “a program of self-evangelization”; and “a desert experience in the hills of Pennsylvania.” The retreat consists of the teacher presenting four conferences each day. After each conference, retreatants are asked to meditate in silence on the doctrine presented. Mass is offered each day, and Confession is also offered during the week.