A retreat is a withdrawal from ordinary activities for a period of time to commune with God in prayer and reflection.

In the scriptures, Jesus spent forty days in the desert in prayer and fasting before entering his public ministry. In the early Christian era, the desert, mountains and other remote areas provided places for prayer. Later, people sought solitude in monasteries and convents. In the late 16th century, retreat houses were established and continue to operate today.

A retreat might be designed around a theme of scripture or some spiritual writing that seems suited to the needs of the individuals involved. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola enable retreatants to consider creation, repentance for sin and redemption.

These materials were created for Magis, an Ignatian Retreat taking place in South Florida.