Outreach, a ministry for LGBTQ Catholics, will host a three-day guided retreat, led by James Martin, S.J., at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Penn., outside of Philadelphia, from June 20-22, 2025.
The retreat, “Jesus Desires your Friendship,” is designed for LGBTQ Catholics, their families and friends and those who minister to them.
During this silent, preached retreat, Father Martin will offer several talks on the theme of how Jesus reaches out to those on the “margins,” but also invites us to create a community, overcoming the barriers of “us” and “them.” There will be opportunities for faith sharing in smaller groups as well as Masses celebrated on Saturday and Sunday.
Father Martin has led many of these weekend retreats over the years at various locations, especially at Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, Mass, which have been well attended and usually sold out within a few weeks of their being announced. Depending on the ability of Outreach to find qualified spiritual directors, there may also be a chance for spiritual direction.
Space is limited and registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more, and to register, visit the website of Daylesford Abbey, a Norbertine abbey located on several acres of beautiful countryside.
The retreat is part of Outreach’s goal to host regional events, in person and online, across the nation, a strategy announced at the Outreach 2024 conference.
In addition to the retreat, Outreach is planning other in-person and virtual events to be held in 2025, including a five-day pilgrimage to Rome in early September to coincide with the Jubilee Year. More information about the pilgrimage will be available in the coming days.
The next national conference will take place in summer 2026 at Georgetown University.
