merciful heart hermitage - Diocese of Phoenix

The Merciful Heart Hermitage:A House of Prayer for Priestsprovides an environment of silence and solitude in whichpriests may be drawn deeply into the Father’s MercifulHeart through the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, thereby beingrenewed and strengthened in their foundational identityas beloved sons of the Father in Christ. As priests receive adeeper taste of the Father’s merciful love for them and aremore deeply united to the Heart of Jesus, they are thenable to share this divine love and mercy with all thoseentrusted to their care. In the words of St. John Vianney:“the priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.”AccommodationsForty miles north of Phoenix, surrounded by mountains and Sonoran desert, the Merciful Heart Hermitage: A House of Prayer for Priests is situatedon a desert mesa overlooking Black Canyon City. Four hermitages are available, named for Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each hermitage issimple and somewhat austere, but contains everything a visitor needs for a time of retreat: bed, reading chair, desk or table, full bathroom, smallkitchen area and a two-sided porch offering spectacular vistas of miles of untouched preserve land.In keeping with the simple nature of the desert experience, retreatants are asked to bring their own food to be prepared in the solitude of theirhermitage. The kitchen area contains a small refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven and coffee pot. Some nonperishable food items are provided inthe hermitage such as coffee, tea and cans of soup. All utensils and dishware are provided.Come to the Heart of the Father,for His love is merciful.Adoration ChapelThe Chapel of the House of Prayer for Priests is available throughoutthe day or night for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. There isordinarily only one communal gathering: an optional morning HolyHour (usually at 7:00 am) followed by Holy Mass (usually at 8:00am). Priests are welcome to concelebrate this Mass or celebrateprivately, and vestments are provided.Types of RetreatsMany priests come to the Merciful Heart Hermitage for theirmonthly desert day and stay one or two nights. Others prefer tocome for a longer private retreat. A priest is available for the Sacramentof Penance or for spiritual direction during their stay.Directed retreats in the Ignatian tradition are offered on a limitednumber of occasions throughout the year. The directed retreatis an intense, structured experience that helps a person grow inconversion by receiving more of God’s love and mercy in the depthsof his being. The retreatant meets daily with a spiritual director andspends about four hours per day in personal prayer with the SacredScriptures.Availability of directed retreats is subject to the discernment ofthe resident spiritual director at the House of Prayer for Priests andthey are scheduled significantly ahead of time.Suggested DonationsFor priests serving in the Diocese of Phoenix, the suggested donationis $40 per night for a desert day or private retreat. For priests fromoutside the Diocese of Phoenix, the suggested donation is $50 pernight for a desert day or private retreat.For a directed retreat, in which all food is provided, the suggesteddonation is $60 per night for priests serving in the Diocese of Phoenix,and $80 per night for priests from outside the diocese.Please note that these are suggested donations. While the House ofPrayer is subsidized by the Diocese of Phoenix, these donations helpminimize the costs and provide for ongoing maintenance as well asfuture improvements to the facilities. Any amount is welcome.