The Abbey of Gethsemani

I began taking annual (or twice-annual) prayer retreats at the Abbey of Gethsemani, south of Bardstown, Kentucky, about fifteen or sixteen years ago.

It has ever since been a place of rest and renewal for me. It was here I first experienced unceasing prayer, and entered into a new joy, depth, satisfaction, and faithfulness in my prayer life.

Last year I was thrilled to introduce my son Aaron to this experience (I've shared it with more than twenty people over the years). This past weekend I was there with Aaron's friend Nick (who's almost as cool) and my thirty-plus brothers who live and serve there year-round (they seldom talk to me...but neither do my biological brothers).