Advent Retreat

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Presented by Father Michael Patella, O.S.B.

Advent is a time of quiet anticipation as we await the coming of Christ at Christmas. While we prepare for the Nativity with our hymns, calendars, and wreathes, we do not always understand the context of these four weeks, weeks filled with readings intimately tied to Sacred Scripture.  Indeed, by drawing upon the biblical tradition, our marking of Christ’s birth makes his incarnation a present reality.  Employing images from The Saint John’s Bible, especially those from the wisdom and prophetic traditions, Fr Michael Patella will explore the biblical roots of our Advent and Christmas liturgical seasons.  

Registration Information

The retreat begins with supper at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and concludes after a Sunday morning conference and optional 10:30 a.m. Mass. 

Cost: single-occupancy room, $250; double-occupancy room, $435; suite, $475; meals included.

To register for this retreat, contact the Spiritual Life Office at 320-363-3929, email us at spirlife@osb.org, or register online.

Father Michael Patella, O.S.B.

Professor Emeritus of Sacred Scripture, Father Michael taught at the Graduate School of Theology and Seminary at Saint John’s University, where he also served as seminary rector.  Author of Word and Image: the Exegesis of The Saint John’s Bible, he has written on Paul, Mark, angels and demons, and the Gospel of Luke for the Jerome Biblical Commentary, Fully Revised Edition.