Retreat-Holidays
Programme: Holy Week and Easter 2010
Retreat leader
Ms Ann-Mary Redmond
(pictured, left) who describes herself as "avid reader, soul-friend, musician, involved in pastoral care and adult formation, kingdom worker, gap-filler.... " Participants on last year's Holy Week and Easter Retreat (in Spain) described her input as "absolutely wonderful".Ann-Mary will be assisted by Dr Stephanie Rybak (pictured, above right), the Director of Retreat-Holidays.
Dr Edward Warrington of the University of Malta will accompany some of our visits - we know what a draw that will be for those who have experienced his wonderful input on previous retreat-holidays! Edward has advised us on the programme for the week.
Malta does Holy Week and Easter in style, with elaborate processions, altars of repose and Last Supper displays. It is a different sort of piety from anything we see in Britain, but all the more moving and impressive for that.
Tuesday 30 March Travel
Wednesday 31 March
Rest day. A chance to wind down, explore the house and grounds and prepare ourselves for this Holy Week retreat.
Maundy Thursday 1 April
Afternoon and evening in Valletta, the capital of Malta and a World Heritage Site. After the liturgical service, a tour of the Last Supper Display at the Dominican Oratory and the Altars of Repose at the two cloistered convents in Republic Street and St Ursola Street.
Good Friday 2 April
Morning, a short time in prayer before the Altar of Repose at the Carmelite retreat house in Lunzjata Valley, outside Rabat. The silence here is deeply refreshing, and the chapel is the mid-point of an hour's country walk across an interesting landscape.
Evening, from 6 pm onwards, the procession in Rabat, or at least part of it, as the processions last approximately three hours.
Easter Saturday 3 April
Atmospheric Easter Vigil at Mdina, the medieval capital of Malta.
Easter Sunday 4 April
Morning, from 9 am until about 10.30 am, procession with statue of the Risen Christ in Senglea. These are joyful processions, in which the young men of the parish run uphill carrying the statue!
Easter Monday 5 April
Excursion to the recently re-opened 4000-year-old temples at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra
Tuesday 5 April Travel
Printable brochure 2009 Printable information sheet 2010