Retreat Info

This is a Spiritual Retreat designed for Matt Talbot Group 20 Members to promote among alcoholics the Layman’s Retreat Movement, to assist said alcoholics in their spiritual rehabilitation, to promote the same and the good works of our Patron, Matt Talbot, and in every manner permissible, to further his beatification and eventual canonization in the Holy Roman Catholic Church, and to provide financial assistance to worthy alcoholics for defraying incidental expenses in connection with making of a retreat. (Taken from article 2.1 of the Group 20 Bylaws)

Strengthen our contact with our Higher Power
Encourage and facilitate a spiritual experience
Pray and meditate in a safe, serene and focused environment
Renew your commitment to a sober way of life and the 12 Steps of Recovery
Expand and strengthen your network and contacts of sober-minded fellows.
Listen to others strength, experience and hope, and share on a deeper level with others, willing to say things in a safe environment, that normally wouldn’t be said at an AA meeting.
Reach out to the newcomers and other members as a way of giving back and maintaining our own sobriety.
Quiet reflection of our own issues that we need to focus on in our lives for the maintenance of sobriety and spiritual fitness.

After checking in, look at the schedule and familiarize yourself with the grounds and meeting rooms and spaces.
Please attend all conferences and group meetings.
Limit the amount of time spent in your room, we are here to participate and interact with each other. This is your retreat.
Reach out to members you may not be familiar with; this is a good way to expand our sober network. Exchange contact information with new friends.
Definitely reach out to the Newcomers during the retreat—remember they are the most important people in the room. Help them feel welcome and part of the group.
Please respect the meeting bell and arrive promptly to meetings and conferences.
Cell phone use disrupts and distracts from the primary purpose of our group retreats. We ask that their use be curtailed to emergencies only, and confined to the privacy of your own room or off site.
Please, no activities that takes us away from our primary purpose. Stay on the grounds, participate and share your strength, experience and hope with other members either in group meetings or informally, one-on-one during free periods.
Keep the focus of the weekend on recovery, and how you keep sober, what you do to maintain your spiritual fitness.

The Matt Talbot Retreat Movement is the parent organization for the groups. Each group is independent. Groups hold retreats. Some groups hold other functions as well. The Retreat Movement is a service organization to support the groups.

No. Matt Talbot Retreats are open to recovering alcoholics regardless of religion, sex, race, color or creed. There are separate Retreat Groups for men, women, and married couples (both of whom must be recovering alcoholics). We are not affiliated with any organized religion.

Yes. Each group sets the cost for its retreats. Most of the cost goes to the retreat house for room and board.

Recovering alcoholics are eligible to attend Matt Talbot retreats.

No. There is no affiliation between AA and Matt Talbot Retreats. However, Matt Talbot Retreats are intended to foster and enhance spiritual recovery as suggested by AA's Twelve-Step Program.

This is up to each individual. However, typically members attend one or two retreats a year.

Generally, retreats are held in Retreat Houses. Most Matt Talbot Retreat Groups are in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. However, groups also exist in other states, in Canada, and in Ireland.