Summer 2023 Retreat Recap

August 30, 2023

Malvern Retreat House has had its busiest summer in almost a century!

In the past, summers at Malvern were slower paced. Fewer retreat groups visited campus. But this year, Malvern hosted six large retreats and totaling 1,540 people. Retreatants hailed from 23 states and Canada! Our Executive Chef Steve Cappelli noted that Malvern Retreat House’s kitchen staff and dining room team prepared and served over 11,700 meals this summer!

August was a particularly busy month. Father James Blount, SOLT, was at Malvern several times this summer. Fr. Blount was at Malvern in July with Flame of Love and returned in August for a Healing Retreat with Kathleen McCarthy, Patrick Campbell and Imaculaee Ilibagiza. Over 320 men and women from all over the country traveled to Malvern for this incredible experience.

Malvern hosted a youth Mass celebrating the new, permanent exhibit to Blessed Carlo Acutis. Fr. Blount celebrated Mass for over 100 Catholic youth. The evening included adoration, a healing service, and the blessing of holy water which students took with them. Malvern Retreat House hosted Retrouvaille Marriage Retreat. This powerful and unique retreat program is for couples experiencing challenges in their marriage. Through this program, countless marriages have been saved. Malvern has hosted Retrouvaille for years.

And of course, Malvern welcomed the Chester County, Edward J. Friel and Our Lady of Perpetual Help retreat groups. These three retreat groups are part of the Men and Women retreat programs hosted by Malvern for over 100 years.