About Manressa House of Retreats in Convent, Louisiana:
Manresa House of Retreats (also known as Manresa on the Mississippi) is a Jesuit-run Catholic retreat center in Convent, Louisiana, located on the banks of the Mississippi River roughly midway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The site dates to the early 19th century as Jefferson College (a school for sons of plantation owners). It later became St. Mary’s Jefferson College under the Marist Fathers. The Jesuits purchased the property in 1931 and established it as a retreat house. Some buildings date to the 1830s–1840s; the grounds have Civil War history as well
It specializes in three-day silent preached retreats for men only (age 18+)), based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Over 6,000 men attend each year.
Weekend retreats: Most weekends (except the last of the year); typically Thursday night through early Sunday afternoon.
Mid-week retreats: About six per year; Sunday night through early Wednesday afternoon.
The structure of a retreat normally includes about 11 conferences/talks (around 30 minutes each) by a Retreat Master, opportunities for personal conferences or confession with Jesuit priests, daily Mass, and other devotions. Silence is central (limited exceptions during certain group prayers). Capacity is typically around 108–111 men per group. There are 57 retreat groups; reservations go through group captains (vacancies sometimes available).
No required fee (suggested donation only; contributions are anonymous). Men of all faiths are welcome.
Private rooms with showers, linens, towels, and meals (in Xavier Hall) are provided. The 130-acre campus features historic buildings, mature oak trees, landscaped grounds, and river views. Notable buildings include:St. Mary Hall — primary housing (renovated 2004–2005), Loyola Hall — conference rooms (built 2000), Sacred Heart Chapel — for Mass, prayer, and Benediction,
St. Peter Canisius Hall — library and arrival area
Xavier Hall — dining (renovated 2014) and Our Lady of Good Counsel Hall — for private meetings with priests (opened 2013)
Note: Similar “Women of Manresa” retreats (same format, led by Jesuits) are offered at The Cenacle on the Lake in the New Orleans area, not at the Convent campus.
Traveling to Manressa House of Retreats in Convent, Louisiana:
The city of Convent is 57 miles west of New Orleans.
Physical Address: 5858 LA 44 (Highway 44), Convent, LA 70723
Mailing address: P.O. Box 89, Convent, LA 70723
Phone: +1 (225) 562-3596 or 1-800-782-9431 Fax: +1 (225) 562-3147
Email: info@manresala.org
Visit the official website of Manressa House of Retreats in Convent, Louisiana.