About Kolbe Retreats

A Kolbe Prison Ministry retreat is brought to the units to help the offenders enter into a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. Those participating in the retreat will be given the opportunity to share in the love and joy of knowing God and will learn more about the truth of our Catholic faith. Inmates are given guidance to help them in their faith journey. Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church are the guides for the retreats. It is a powerful community building experience.

The Kolbe retreats were originally modeled after “ACTS” retreats administered by ACTS Missions, a Catholic organization based in San Antonio, Texas. ACTS is an acronym which stands for “Adoration (prayer), Community, Theology and Service.” Given the security measures and other restrictions in the prisons, the ACTS approach and design needed to be tailored to fit the realities of prison life.

Kolbe retreats typically take place in a single, large indoor space such as a gymnasium or chapel. The space is usually large enough to handle over 100 participants and outside team volunteers on the retreat.

A retreat usually runs from Thursday morning through Saturday evening, with a commissioning (or blessing) Mass for the outside team on the evening before the retreat begins. Depending on the prison’s location, the outside team may stay at a motel near the prison, stay overnight at out-buildings of a local church, commute from home, or make other lodging arrangements.

The retreat days often start early with the volunteers going through security searches as they enter the unit. Meals are usually provided by the outside team, making arrangements for the meals prior to the retreat.

Kolbe retreats can be life changers for the inmate population and for the volunteers who make up the outside team. The retreats bring the fullness of our Catholic faith inside the walls of the prisons, through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

To view the calendar of retreats and other events for all KPM cores and dioceses, visit the KPM Calendar on the main KPM website.