Marked By Love: St. Francis and the Mystery of the Cross

With Father James Puglisi

September 14 - 17, 2026

Date and Time Details: 3 PM September 14 - September 17

Location: Holy Mountain Retreat Center

Address: 40 Franciscan Wy, Garrison, NY 10524, USA

Contact: Kacey
kacey@atonementfriars.org

  • $300.00 – Private Room, 1 Guests, all meals
  • $175.00 – Commuters
  • $500.00 – Double room, 2 Guests, all meals.

Father James Puglisi presents the  Franciscan Jubilee Triduum Retreat

September 14–17, 2026

“MARKED BY LOVE: FRANCIS AND THE MYSTERY OF THE CROSS”

DAY 1 — MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Theme: The Cross as the Tree of Life

3:00–4:00 PM

Arrival, Registration, Quiet Settling In

4:15 PM

Welcome & Orientation

  • Introduction to the Jubilee Triduum
  • Explanation of silence, prayer rhythm, and retreat intentions

5:00 PM

Supper

6:15 PM

Evening Prayer (Vespers)

  • Psalm 96 or 98
  • Philippians 2:6–11
  • Antiphon: We adore you, O Christ…

7:00 PM

Conference I

“The Cross Revealed: Francis and the Wisdom of the Crucified”

  • San Damiano Cross and conversion
  • The Cross as divine humility
  • The Cross as the life-pattern of discipleship

Eucharist (Day 1)

8:15 PM

Eucharistic Celebration

Mass of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

  • Entrance with the San Damiano Cross
  • Preface of the Holy Cross
  • Homily: The Cross as the beginning of Francis’ conversion
  • Brief silence after Communion before the Cross

9:15 PM

Holy Hour before the Cross

  • Taizé chant: Jesus, Remember Me

9:45 PM

Great Silence

DAY 2 — TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

Theme: O Lady of the Atonement — Compassion as Transformation

Morning

7:30–9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:15 AM

Morning Prayer

  • Candle lit before the Madonna of the Atonement
  • Psalm 130 or 22
  • John 19:25–27
  • Antiphon: Behold your Mother

10:00 AM

Conference II

“Compassion, Conversion, and Atonement: 

Mary at the Cross and the Heart of Francis”

  • Fiat and the foot of the Cross
  • Atonement as listening and repair
  • Franciscan mercy in parish and world

Midday Eucharist (Day 2)

11:15 AM

Eucharistic Celebration

Mass of Our Lady of Sorrows / Atonement

  • Optional Stabat Mater
  • Seven Sorrows candles
  • Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  • Post-Communion: brief Litany of Unity

12:00 PM

Lunch

Afternoon

1:30–3:00 PM

Communal Reconciliation Service

  • Penitential rite
  • Individual confessions
  • Communal act of commitment to repair

3:15 PM

Veneration of Our Lady of the Atonement (quiet)

Evening

5:00 PM

Supper

6:30 PM

Stations of the Cross (Franciscan form)

7:45 PM

Keeping Watch with the Mother

Quiet candlelit prayer before the Madonna of the Atonement

  • Short Scripture verse
  • Silence
  • Marian refrain (optional)

9:00 PM

Silence

DAY 3 — WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Day of Desire, Silence, and Preparation

Theme: Ascent to La Verna — The Burning Desire for God

Morning

7:30–9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:15 AM

Morning Prayer

  • Psalm 63
  • Celano: Francis’ longing for God

10:00 AM

Conference III

“The Mountain of God: Desire, Solitude, and the Fire of Love”

  • La Verna
  • Silence
  • Desire as holiness’ engine

Midday Eucharist (Day 3)

11:15 AM

Eucharistic Celebration

Votive Mass of St. Francis

  • Preface of St. Francis
  • Quiet music
  • Simple offertory with candles

12:00 PM

Lunch

Afternoon

1:00–4:00 PM

Extended Silence & Personal Prayer

  • Nature
  • Journaling
  • Spiritual conversation available

Evening

5:00 PM

Supper (silence encouraged)

6:30 PM

Post-Communion Ritual (from Mass)

  • Writing a prayer of desire on parchment

7:30 PM

Night Watch of La Verna

  • Candlelit silent adoration
  • Refrain: My God and My All

9:30 PM

Great Silence

 

DAY 4 — THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis

Theme: Marked by Christ — Love Made Visible

Morning

7:30–9:00 AM

Breakfast

9:15 AM

Morning Prayer

  • Psalm 142
  • Bonaventure on the Stigmata

Solemn Jubilee Eucharist

10:30 AM

SOLEMN MASS OF THE STIGMATA OF ST. FRANCIS

  • San Damiano Cross in procession
  • Incense and candlelight
  • Hymn: The Cross of Love
  • Veneration of the Cross of La Verna

Festive Conclusion

12:00 PM

Festive Lunch

1:30 PM

Canticle of the Creatures

Final Blessing & Sending Forth

 

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Holy Mountain Retreat Center

40 Franciscan Way, Garrison, NY 10524

Drive to the top of the mountain, turn left into the parking lot, and enter under the Graymoor sign. Guests park only in the front lot.

Check-In: 3:00 PM. Check-Out/Rooms Cleared: 10:00 AM

  1. Take the first elevator to the 5th Floor.
  2. Check in at the Retreat Office.
  3. Use the second elevator to access guest rooms on floors 6-8.

Guest Rooms

  • Private rooms, or double by request
  • Bathrooms located across the hall
  • 5th-floor access code posted outside the Retreat Office

Please Bring / Note

  • Bath towel(s)
  • Personal toiletries
  • Bathrobes must be worn in halls
  • Proper attire – no pajamas in the dining room.

Helpful Information

  • Wi-Fi: No password required
  • Assistance/Security: 845-803-6068 (Rooms, AC, Smoke Alarms, Lost Key)
  • Emergency: 911
  • Snack Machine: 4th floor

Meals are served promptly in the Dining Room on 5th Floor

  • Breakfast: 8:00 AM
  • Lunch: 12:00 PM
  • Dinner: 5:00 PM

Departure Instructions

  • Leave sheets and towels (inside a pillowcase) outside your door
  • Place trash can outside your door
  • Turn off lights, fans, and air conditioning
  • Return dishes to the dining room
  • Return room key to the basket outside the Retreat Office

Please Protect Our Pipes

Flush toilet paper only. “Flushable” wipes cause damage and flooding.

While You’re Here

  • Trail of Glory Art Exhibit (3rd Floor)
  • Book & Gift Center (4th Floor) Wed. -Sun.
  • Thrift Store (16 Franciscan Way) Wed. – Sun.
  • Labyrinth Prayer Walk
  • That Nothing Be Lost Thrift Store (16 Franciscan Way) Wed. – Sun

 

Dear Guests,

This retreat house is home to the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement.

Please always be mindful and respectful, maintaining quiet in

guest rooms and hallways.

Outside chapels close at dusk.

If you arrive after hours or need assistance with your room or meeting space, call Security/Maintenance at 845-803-6068

 

Kacey

www.HolyMountainRetreats.org

845-690-1104

 

Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center

40 Franciscan Way, Garrison, NY 10524

 

Our Lady of the Atonement Retreat House

41 Old Highland Turnpike, Garrison, NY 10524

 

 

About the Leader

Father James Puglisi

  Father James Puglisi, awarded the honoris causa Doctor of Divinity by the Graduate Theological Foundation, where he is a fellow, was elected to serve two terms as Minister General of the Friars from 2004-2014. Originally from Amsterdam, NY, Father Puglisi is in residency at St. Paul Friary at Graymoor. He had long served as […]

Learn more about Father James Puglisi