NZCCM National Silent Retreat — 19–22 January 2027

The New Zealand Community for Christian Meditation (NZCCM) warmly invites new and experienced meditators to its national silent retreat, led by Fr Cyprian Consiglio OSB Cam. The retreat is based at the University of Waikato in Hamilton and is held in silence from Tuesday evening until Friday late morning.

Cyprian will share from his contemplative life how kenosis (self-emptying) connects to our meditation practice and to our daily lives, drawing on his book The God Who Gave You Birth: A Spirituality of Kenosis — 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.

Each day includes a number of periods of meditation and liturgical prayer, with opportunities to explore the university gardens, talk with an experienced Christian meditator and visit the retreat bookshop. On Thursday evening Fr Cyprian gives a concert to retreatants. He also gives a public concert on the evening of Friday 22 January at the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Hamilton.

NZCCM National Silent Retreat — 19–22 January 2027

Arrival and departure. Registration 3–5pm on Tuesday 19 January at Gate 1, Knighton Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton; park as close as possible to the Student Village. 4pm: an Introduction to Meditation in the campus chapel, especially for those new to meditation. 5.15pm: the retreat programme begins with meditation in the chapel. A packed lunch is available at 12.45pm on Friday 22 January, after which we leave; those staying for the Friday concert have a free afternoon.

Retreat leader. Cyprian Consiglio OSB Cam is a Camaldolese monk, musician, composer, author and teacher, with over a dozen recordings of original music and five books. After a ten-year term as prior of his community in California, he is now stationed in Rome, where he serves as the international Secretary General for Monastic Interreligious Dialogue for the Benedictine Confederation.

Cost. Earlybird fees until 15 December 2026: standard $490, reduced $300, gifting $590 (donation receipt issued for amounts over $490). After 15 December: standard $530, reduced $340. Attendance only (no accommodation or meals) $70. Fees include all meals and accommodation at Waikato University. Optional additional night to attend the Friday concert: $95 accommodation and breakfast plus $25 dinner.

Accommodation. Waikato University student accommodation — single rooms with shared bathrooms; linen and towels supplied (bring your own flannel, soap and shampoo).

Registration. Email retreat@christianmeditationnz.org.nz or post to NZCCM Retreat, 12 Everest Street, Wellington 6035. Payment by online banking into NZCCM’s Kiwibank account (Account name: New Zealand Community for Christian Meditation Trust; account 38-9003-0812910-01 — add your name and ‘January retreat’ as the reference), then email treasurer@christianmeditationnz.org.nz. Instalments are welcome. Card payment is available via the donations page at www.christianmeditationnz.org.nz/donations (a charge of about $25 applies). Cancellations: full refunds up to 5pm, 5 January 2027; refund requests to retreat@christianmeditationnz.org.nz.

Source: Silent Retreat with Fr Cyprian Consiglio (New Zealand Community for Christian Meditation)