Monastic Retreat
December 10-14th, 2025
New Camaldoli Hermitage
Big Sur, CA
Introduction
Advent is the darkest season of the year. It is a time of silence, stillness, and waiting for the Light of Christ to be born. On this retreat, we will explore our relationship to silence, our comfort in stillness, and our posture in waiting. Together, we will learn how to embrace the inevitable seasons of darkness in our spiritual lives.
The darkness can cause us to feel unmoored, disoriented, afraid, and abandoned. However, Advent reminds us that the darkness can also be an invitation to hope, wonder, heal, and to anticipate new life. In the darkness, we reckon with what keeps us from receiving this invitation with open arms.
For some, this may look like grieving what has been lost, or feeling the anger for injustice we have suffered. For others, this could mean releasing control, accepting uncertainty, and choosing to surrender.
If you feel called to journey with us into the darkness this Advent, we invite you to join us December 10th-14th at New Camaldoli Hermitage and Retreat Center for a 4-night silent retreat nestled in the wild and rugged cliffs of Big Sur, California.
What is a monastic retreat?
Retreat Schedule
Programming for this retreat is more experiential than educational. Guests can expect to be guided into the darkness to feel what we cannot fully see, know, or understand. We will be immersed in a schedule that allows for ample opportunity to engage spiritual practices that facilitate embodiment, feeling (vs thinking), and receiving (vs doing).
All sessions are trauma-informed with the intention of regulating the nervous system as we re-establish connection with God and our authentic selves in the silence, solitude, and stillness.
Retreat Director: Sara Carrara Di Fuccia, MA Human Services Counseling, MA Practical Theology, CYT 500 (Advanced Certified Yoga Teacher), Certified Leadership Coach
Wednesday
4:00pm - Check-In
5:00pm - “Vespers” Evening Prayer Service in Chapel
7:00pm - Welcome Session & Group Spiritual Direction in Chapter Room
8:00pm - Guided Group Walk Under the Stars
Thursday-Saturday
7:30am - “Lauds” Morning Prayer Service in Chapel
9:00am - Christian Yoga (Optional) & Morning Reflection in Chapter Room
11:30am - “Mass” Eucharist (Communion) Service in Chapel
12:30pm - Main Meal Served in Retreat House Kitchen (Eat in Solitude)
5:00pm - “Vespers” Evening Prayer Service in Chapel
5:30pm - Contemplation around Communion Table in Chapel (Optional)
7:00pm - Group Spiritual Direction in Chapter Room
Sunday
7:30am - “Lauds” Morning Prayer Service in Chapel (Optional)
9:00am - Guided Redwoods Walk & Closing Group Session Outdoors
11:00am - “Mass” Eucharist (Communion) Service in Chapel
12:30pm - Main Meal Served in Retreat House Kitchen (Eat in Solitude)
1:30pm - Check Out & Departure
One Spiritual Direction session with a monk may be requested by retreatants during the retreat.
Accommodation
Guests can book a room in the Retreat House or a private Hermitage (Cabin) that overlooks the ocean at sunrise and sunset, and rests beneath a starry sky at night. Without the distractions of internet or cell service, guests can fully immerse themselves in contemplation with the soothing sights and sounds of nature as their backdrop.
The Retreat House features nine single occupancy private rooms, each with a half-bath and personal fenced garden overlooking the ocean. In the center of the row of rooms that make up the Retreat House is a door leading to a common kitchen and two private shower rooms. Showers are cleaned by housekeeping staff daily.
There are five private hermitages located along the hillside below the Retreat House. They offer greater solitude and privacy. They include a full bath, kitchenette, desk, and a sun deck with beautiful ocean views. Meals are picked up at the Retreat House kitchen and brought back to your cabin.
Meals are included in your reservation. They will be served buffet style in the Retreat House kitchen.
Map of property and location of rooms HERE
Accommodation Options
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Retreat House Room
Platform to Table has booked four rooms for this retreat. Rooms 1, 3, 7, 9.
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Hesychia Cabin
The Heychia cabin is closer and has easier access to the Retreat House kitchen and Chapel.
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Kairos Cabin
The Kairos cabin has slightly more privacy being a few steps further from the main Retreat House and Chapel.
Accommodation Gallery
Reserve Your Spot
Interested in attending the retreat? Just answer a few questions below, and we will do our best to accommodate you! Reservations are first come first serve, and secured with a deposit. Payment in full by November 1st.