• Welcome!
  • Order of St Columba -An Introduction
    • Our Story
    • Our Mission
    • Our Values
    • The Rule of St Columba of Iona
    • Statement of Intercommunion
  • Celtic Spirituality
    • A Concise History of the Celtic Church
    • What is the Celtic Rite ?
    • The Celtic Rite and the Sacraments
    • Why A Celtic Eucharist?
    • A Litany of Celtic Saints
    • Ita - Nurtura of Saints -January 15
    • Brigid of Kildare - February 6
    • Patrick - apostle to Ireland - March 17
    • Egbert - April 24th
    • Venerable Bede - May 25
    • Columba of Iona - June 9
    • Kilian - the missionary - July 8th
    • Aidan of Lindisfarne - August 31
    • Ciaran - September 9th
    • Francis of Assisi - October 4th
    • Columbanus - November 23rd
    • Finian of Clonard - December 12th
    • What is the influence of the Celtic Christianity?
    • What is the relevance of Celtis Christianity in the 21st century?
    • Some features of Celtic Spirituality
    • Celtic Cross
  • The Church-as-Abbey
    • The Priory - ways of connecting
    • How we function
    • The Emerging Church
    • House Church and the Jesus Movement - a perspective
    • Monastic Virtues and Ecumenical Hopes
    • Drawing water from an ancient well...
  • Abbey Online Chapel
    • Prayer Requests
    • Light a Candle
    • 3 minute a day retreats
    • Daily Office - the Liturgy of the Hours
    • Remembering those we love...
    • Lectio Divina - for each day
    • Taize - Prayer for the Day
    • Liturgical Calendar
    • Plainchant
  • The Abbey Institute of Spiritual Direction and life-mentoring
    • Prayers and Spirituality
    • Jewish Table Blessings
    • Solitude with God
    • Rituals and Blessings to help Family life
    • Prayers for Healing Painful Memories
    • Patrick of Ireland's Breastplate prayer
    • Celtic Blessings
    • Casting a caim or encircling prayer
    • The Jesus Prayer
    • Lectio Divina
    • Quiet Quest
    • How to meditate
    • Guided meditations...
    • Coping with Change
  • ColumCille House
  • Outreach - SmallSteps Project
  • The Christian Year
    • Lectionary Resources
    • Advent Prayers, Resources and Themes
    • Christmas - New Year >
      • A Celtic Christmas reflection
      • A Celtic New Year Blessing and Prayer
      • The Epiphany
    • Morning and Evening Prayer for Lent
    • Lenten resources
    • Holy Week and Easter
    • A Pentecost reflection
    • Some Pentecost prayers
  • The Four Gospels and Paul
    • Matthew
    • Mark
    • Luke
    • John
    • Paul of Tarsus
  • St Columba's School of Theology and Ministry
  • Abbey Blog - Guest Book
  • Companions Secure Site
    • Some Celtic Ceremonies
    • Publications from the Abbey Press
  • Suggested Reading
  • Links
  • Contact us...

Quiet Quest

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Thanks to the support and encouragemnt from our American brothers and sisters we are part of the Quiet Quest movement in the 21st century.  Our leaders are trained Spiritual Directors and members of the Christian Retreat Institute.
 
A  Quiet Quest retreat is designed to be a half day or full day spiritual retreat that focuses on listening  for God through the Holy Spirit, prayer, silence, the scriptures, and selected  readings.  Each one is unique and local. We do not conduct the retreat unless asked to do so and as our schedule allows.

A Quiet Quest retreat is designed to be an extended time of reading and prayer and fasting. The personal preparation for those who decide to attend a Quiet Quest can last from a few hours to several days. This is decided by each attendee. The ideas we offer for this retreat may be adapted for use by individuals, couples, small groups, or entire congregations.

One of the major goals of a Quiet Quest retreat is to help each person expand their understanding of how to spend extended time in prayer and discover the spiritual power of intercession as we pray and fast for others and ourselves. It can be a witness of the power of prayer and fasting to the glory of God as people who are not able to attend the Quiet Quest see the results of prayer in the lives of those who attend and in the lives of those who were prayed for at the retreat. It can be truly life changing. 

What should I bring to a Quiet Quest?

If you decide to attend a Quiet Quest, bring an open mind and heart that is ready to be still and listen to God; some prayer requests from you, your  family, and your friends, and for others; a Bible and small notebook to record ideas from your Scripture reading and prayer time; and some drinking water for yourself. Please do not bring food, books (other than a Bible) personal music,or anything else that would distract from the quiet time. We want to get away from the routine and the rushed lives many of us lead as we are on a quest for quiet time with the Holy One.

What should I expect at a Quiet Quest?
 
Our local  leaders will give you an outline about their unique plans, but usually a Quiet Quest is at the church/home/abbye/spirituality centre and is half a day or all day on a Saturday. It often begins with an introduction time, opening prayer, times of silent prayer, times of small group prayer around tables, and often there is  communion and/or prayer for healing by the leaders.  Gentle music may or may not be used and sometimes short video clips are shown at certain times to bring home a point if there is a short teaching time. It often ends with  Vespers early Saturday evening.

I  want to be a leader of a Quiet Quest - what do I do?

Pray and talk to your pastor and share this website. Upon approval from your pastor, most often a small team of leaders start to plan your local Quiet Quest  retreat. Request (via our Contact tab) our free e-booklet that offers ideas. Pray and trust the Lord to show you how to minister to the needs of your local people.

Please be sure to contact us on this website if you decide to lead your own Quiet Quest retreat so we can pray for you. After your retreat,  please contact us about the results so we can rejoice with you! Leading a Quiet  Quest is work, but it is well worth it and may become a regular event that  people in your community look forward to.

Patmos Abbey offers the Quiet Quest with no religious agenda and is not affiliated  with any particular church or denomination. We are servants of the God of Jesus of Nazareth in the world who are  here to serve God and all people. Thank you for your prayers. 



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...drawing living water from an ancient well...
Photo used under Creative Commons from The Wandering Angel