THE HEALING POWER OF FAITH: Jesus as Our Therapist (2019)

If the event is listed as sold out please call us at 661-944-2178 for real time availability and waiting list. Office hours are from 8:30am- 5:00pm (closed for mass & lunch *11:45a.m- 1:30pm) Check in time starts at 3:00pm. Check out time is at 10:00am (exceptions may apply).

THE HEALING POWER OF FAITH:  Jesus as Our Therapist

Friday, May 10 - Sunday, May 12, 2019

The way we do [or don't] deal with our suffering is the most important determinant of the quality of our lives. It is difficult to learn to deal with suffering in a way that benefits and heals us, as opposed to damaging or even destroying us. This retreat will integrate psychological and spiritual ideas in an examination of the ways our Christian teachings help us embrace and utilize suffering in the service of psychological/spiritual transformation to our natural state of love, joy, and healing.

Fr. Francis Benedict has been a monk of Valyermo since 1967.  He earned an MA in Philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University and an MS in Theology from Mt. Angel in Oregon.  He was ordained a priest in 1976.  He served as the Abbey's abbot for 16 years.  His special areas of ministry include spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working with 12-step recovery groups.  In addition to many responsibilities at the Abbey, he now serves as the Director of Oblates.

Maria Rohde is an oblate of Valyermo and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She earned a BA in Psychology at UCLA and an MA in Community/Clinical Psychology at California State University Northridge. She has been in private practice in the Antelope Valley for 25 years and works primarily from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, specializing in treatment of anxiety disorders.