The God Who Gave you Birth
A Spirituality of Kenosis
NZCCM Silent Retreat Jan 19th -22nd, 2027
Led by Fr Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam
We are thrilled that Cyprian Consiglio OSB Cam has agreed to lead the New Zealand Community for Christian Meditation (NZCCM) national retreat, January 19th-22nd, 2027. He is a very experienced retreat leader and wonderful musician. New and experienced meditators are warmly invited to attend this silent retreat based at the University of Waikato in Hamilton.
Cyprian will be sharing reflections from his 2021 book The God Who Gave You Birth: A Spirituality of Kenosis in which he shows us what it means to imitate the self-emptying of God and Christ - to show the world God as Jesus reveals God to be: merciful, compassionate, healer to all.
Throughout each day there will be a number of periods of meditation and liturgical prayer times, with opportunities to explore the university gardens, talk with an experienced Christian meditator and visit the retreat bookshop. The retreat will be in silence from Tuesday evening until Friday late morning. On Thursday evening Cyprian will give us a concert as part of the retreat.
AND
Friday 22nd evening, Cyprian will be giving a concert at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton
Retreat Leader
Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam is a Camaldolese monk, musician, composer, author, and teacher.
He has over a dozen recordings of original music, and has published five books, the latest being Epiphanies of Nature and Grace for Orbis Publications, and numerous articles.
He has travelled extensively throughout the world, performing as well as studying and teaching. After a ten-year term as prior of his community in California, Fr. Cyprian is currently stationed in Rome where he serves as the international Secretary General for Monastic Interreligious Dialogue for the Benedictine Confederation. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the World Meditation Day Foundation.
You can see Cyprian in concert online below:
Listen to an interview of Cyprian with ABC Australia Soul Search: Cyprian Consiglio on music and modern monasticism’
Retreat Cost
We are keen to make this retreat available to all who wish to come and we realise that cost can be a barrier. So we are offering three levels of payment.
The standard fee of $490 ensures we cover our costs.
The reduced fee of $300 is available for those whose finances would struggle to cover the standard fee. If this reduced fee is a stretch too far, please contact us at retreat@christianmeditationnz.org.nz and briefly outline your situation and the amount you are able to pay.
The gifting fee of $590 (or any amount over $490) is for those who can afford more. Please note you will be sent a donation receipt for the amount you give over $490.
The reduced and standard fees are earlybird fees, until 15th Dec 2026.
After that the standard fee is $530 and the reduced fee is $340.
This includes all meals and accommodation at Waikato University.
For those who wish to stay on another night at Waikato University to attend Cyprian’s concert on Friday night, this will cost an additional $95 for accommodation and breakfast and $25 for dinner. Please let us know and add this amount to the fee you are paying.
Retreat Accomodation
Waikato University student accommodation provides single rooms with shared bathrooms. We will do our best to ensure bathrooms are gender specific, but this cannot be guaranteed. Linen and towels will be supplied. BYO flannel, soap, shampoo.
University of Waikato Campus
Arrival and Registration
3pm to 5pm Tuesday 19th January - Gate1 Knighton Road. Park as close as possible to Student Village.
4pm Tuesday - Introduction to Meditation in the campus chapel especially for those who are new to meditation. All welcome.
5.15pm Tuesday - Retreat programme begins with meditation in the chapel. It is good to be settled into your room before this.
Departure
A packed lunch is available at 12.45pm on Friday 22nd January. We leave any time after this.
NB if you wish to stay on for Cyprian’s concert in the evening, you have a free afternoon. Exploring the world renowned Hamilton Gardens is a recommended highlight.
Registration and Payment
Register by sending this information to email: retreat@christianmeditationnz.org.nz
or post to NZCCM Retreat, 12 Everest Street, Wellington, 6035.
1. Name
2. Address
3. Mobile number
4. Email address (for those not registering by email)
5. Preferred name for your name badge
6. Special Dietary Requirements (if any)
7. Emergency contact name and telephone number
8. Ground floor accommodation needed: Yes or No (There are no lifts.)
9. If you wish to stay an additional night so that you can attend Cyprian’s public concert.
There are two ways you can pay into NZCCM’s Kiwibank account. If you would prefer to pay in instalments, this is fine. Please email the treasurer and let him (Chris) know your plans.
1) Online banking:
Account Name: New Zealand Community for Christian Meditation Trust
Account Number: 38-9003-0812910-01
Please add your name and ‘January retreat’ in the reference section.
2) Credit or debit card through the donations page on the NZCCM website www.christianmeditationnz.org.nz/donations Please note there are additional charges for this method. Please select the ‘Amplify Your Gift’ checkbox to cover these processing fees.
Please then email treasurer@christianmeditationnz.org.nz to let him know you have paid for the January retreat.
Note: If you need a tax receipt for your donation, you will also need to send the treasurer your email address.
Cancellations
Full refunds will be given up to 5pm, 5th January. After that we will refund as much as we can depending on the costs we are charged. Refund requests to be made by email or letter. Send your email to retreat@christianmeditationnz.org.nz or write to 12 Everest St, Wellington 6035.
For more information or to register?
Email retreat@christianmeditationnz.org.nz or contact Linda Polaschek, 020 4797955 or 04 4797955.