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Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life Invites Clergy to 2026 Pastoral Retreat

August 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Registration closes Tuesday, September 1, for four-day gathering centered on prayer, fraternity and long-term flourishing in pastoral ministry.

The interior of New Gracanica Monastery, where participants in the 2026 Office of Pastoral Life Pastoral Retreat will celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God on Thursday, October 1. Photo courtesy of New Gracanica Monastery. The Orthodox Church in America’s Office of Pastoral Life is inviting bishops and priests from across the Church to participate in its 2026 Pastoral Retreat, a four-day gathering dedicated to prayer, fellowship and pastoral renewal. Registration closes Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The retreat will be held September 29 – October 2 at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL. Centered on the theme, “The Fields Are Ripe for the Harvest,” the gathering will provide priests an opportunity to step away from the daily demands of parish ministry to pray together, deepen their bonds of fraternity and reflect on the vocation Christ has entrusted to them. Through keynote presentations, discussion, shared liturgical life, and rest, the retreat is designed to strengthen…

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Petru Barbu

I'm glad the retreat is taking place at Mundelein, quiet place. The theme "The Fields Are Ripe for the Harvest" sounds good, especially for priests who run from morning to night. I for one would love to go if I was still at work, but now I'm content with the garden and fishing in Sibiu.

Mary Thomas

That Mundelein campus is beautiful and quiet, just the sort of place a tired priest needs. The Protection feast Liturgy at New Gracanica sounds especially good; I always loved that service back when our parish still had a full choir. Petru, your garden and fishing sound like the perfect retirement harvest.

Ana Munteanu

Mundelein really seems like a suitable, quiet place for a priest to breathe. The theme "The Fields Are Ripe for the Harvest" seems appropriate now, when so many are toiling alone in small parishes. Peter, your garden and fishing sound more restful than any retreat, but the Mass at New Gracanica for the Protection of Our Lady I think would have been worth the trip.