Fall 2021 Retreat
“ Letting Go and Taking Hold”
Holy Cross Monastery
Letting go and taking hold. Within his incarnate life Jesus let go and took hold. He let go of the possibility of power and took hold with the sick, the poor and the bereft. He let go of the possibility of staying safe and took hold of the risks that his prophetic ministry entailed. He let go of the possibility of control and took hold in the role of servant, washing the feet of his disciples. In his final trial, he let go of the possibility of vindicating himself and took hold in the role of the suffering servant, even to death on a cross. - Titus Pressler, Retreat Leader
Holy Cross Monastery is a place of peace and serenity -- a healing place. The congregation retreat was a reminder that in spite of the challenges we have all faced with the pandemic, God is still with us, that He loves us, and that we must cherish ourselves. I would wholeheartedly recommend the next congregation retreat at Holy Cross. — Sonia
It's time dedicated to my soul spent in the company of interesting, warm, friendly people sharing our innermost thoughts, beliefs and experiences. I learn and grow. The beautiful grounds and spiritual atmosphere inside the monastery make it easy to relax, and we have a lot of fun also. It's wonderful! — Luz
"Crux est mundi medicina." The Holy Cross Monastery is my oasis of peace, prayer and warmth. It cements the relationship between members of the Congregation of Saint Savior, hence making it an even stronger supporting pillar of Cathedral St John the Divine. It is one of my few places where I am able to reconnect with my deep inner self and look for some degree of intimacy with God. It would be quite impossible for anyone to doubt when watching the sun rise over the Hudson and/or when starting the day carried by the chants of the benedictine monks. — Agnes
Everyone I spoke to was engaging, welcoming, and thoughtful. I had a great time, made friends, laughed, and learned a lot. This retreat is wonderful beyond words. I feel grateful to the people who make it possible - great work! — Liren
Titus Presler is vicar of St. Matthew’s Church in Enosburg Falls, Vermont. Through mission experience in India, Zimbabwe and Pakistan he has experienced the spiritualities of Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and African Traditional Religion. President of the Global Episcopal Mission Network, he was rector of St. Peter’s Church in Cambridge, Mass., academic dean at General Seminary and president of the Seminary of the Southwest. He served as chaplain of the Community of the Holy Transfiguration and led retreats for the Society of St. Margaret in Boston and Utica. Honorary canon theologian in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, he holds a B.A. from Harvard, M.Div. from General, and Th.D. from Boston University. Among many publications, he is the author of Alert for Signs: Seeing Praying through Advent (Forward Movement) and Going Global with God: Reconciling Mission in a World of Difference (Church Publishing).He is married to Canon Jane Butterfield
Holy Cross Monastery (https://holycrossmonastery.com), located in West Park, NY, is the mother house of the Order of the Holy Cross, an Anglican religious order inspired by the Benedictine tradition. The main building was completed in 1904 and sits on 26 acres overlooking the Hudson River, across from Hyde Park.