Earthen Vessels Renewal

Whom We Serve

Earthen Vessels serves people who work in these branches of ministry:

Priests

"It is very opportune, and perhaps even absolutely necessary nowadays, to create a suitable support structure for priests. Through meetings – of sufficient duration and held within a community setting, if possible – priests will be assured of having times for rest, prayer, reflection and fraternal exchange."

Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis (“I will give you shepherds”) 1992

"Priests, too, need your guidance and closeness during this difficult time. They have experienced shame over what has occurred, and there are those who feel they have lost some of the trust and esteem they once enjoyed. Not a few are experiencing a closeness to Christ in his Passion as they struggle to come to terms with the consequences of the crisis. The Bishop, as father, brother and friend of his priests, can help them to draw spiritual fruit from this union with Christ by making them aware of the Lord’s consoling presence in the midst of their suffering, and by encouraging them to walk with the Lord along the path of hope."

Pope Benedict XVI’s address to U.S. Bishops,in Washington, DC, April 16, 2008

Priests include diocesan and religious.

Earthen Vessels has presented experiences for diocesan and for religious priests. An Earthen Vessels experience for priests is a 5-day period which includes times of intense spiritual experience, of renewal, and of healing. Priests who have attended have been able to come to grips with the scandal of the sexual abuse of the young, as well as other current challenges to the priesthood. This retreat experience fulfills the canonical requirements for an annual retreat for priests.

The branch of Earthen Vessels for Married Couples includes any married couple who would benefit from a renewal. This branch also includes those who serve in Marriage Encounter, Retrouvaille and Engaged Encounter. Earthen Vessels has presented a number of enrichments for these communities. These experiences are most effective when 2 or 3 of these marriage organizations work together, because this widens the perspective of those whose service strengthens the Sacrament of Matrimony. Any Married Couples who wish to see their marriage from a perspective which gives a clear focus to the presence of Jesus in their marriage will benefit from the Earthen Vessels program for Married Couples.

The Earthen Vessels Marriage Retreats for diaconate couples bring together the program for priests (the Sacrament of Orders) and for married couples (the Sacrament of Marriage). Earthen Vessels is able to do this because every Earthen Vessels retreat experience works from the perspective of the Paschal Mystery. Diaconate couples are given tools to explore their Paschal journey, which includes the perspective of marriage and at the same time the perspective of ordination. The result is that both marriage and ministry are renewed.

Whom We Serve

Diaconate Couples

Married Couples

Priests