Anyone who has stayed at St. Cassian’s Centre seems to know instinctively what is implied by the 'Kintbury Experience'. For each individual it must have a different meaning, since no one person’s life-pilgrimage is the same as that of another, but many would agree that coming to Kintbury has touched them deeply.
Participating in a Kintbury session can be a whole-life enhancing experience, reaching out as it does to spiritual, emotional, and physical dimensions of ones life. In the words of one retreatant: "Kintbury is beautiful ... being there has given me a sense of inner peace and real happiness."
The seclusion in deep countryside and the beauty of the house and grounds contribute to the sense of peace which takes over those who come here as pilgrims. As one youngster commented: "It's easy to believe in God here."
If you come to join us you will not find television or newspapers but you will encounter a sincere friendliness, and discover the ideal environment for reflection and finding God in prayer and community living.
The De La Salle Brothers conduct the Centre with three senior lay people and young lay-helpers; together they form the Kintbury "Team". They are responsible, after making you feel thoroughly at home, for the presentations, liturgies and music and for ensuring that you are as comfortable as possible. Their concern is that your visit will be one that you can always look back on with pleasure as being a fruitful and happy experience.
Our invitation is to join and complete our community during your days here. We have a well-established programme but we feel that this is secondary to the interaction and growing together that takes place during the course of the retreat. As all of us are precious in God’s eyes; we try to convey this message to those who come, and hope they will pass it on to each other and continue to do so when they leave. We find that the young people bring openness and great enthusiasm to the activities of the Centre.
