What is an ACTS Retreat?
An ACTS Retreat is a parish-based event which offers parishioners an opportunity to experience the love of Jesus Christ. This in turn fosters a desire for intentional discipleship.
ACTS Retreats are given by parishioners for parishioners, and in this way, serve to build Christian community at the parish.
The Retreat Experience
The ACTS Retreat begins Thursday evening and ends with Sunday Mass in the parish.
While utilizing prayer, service, and teaching, the ACTS Retreat meets people where they are in their spiritual journey and invites them to experience God in a manner that is both personal and communal.
In this way, the ACTS Retreat fulfills the mission of:
“Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ among Catholic communities through ACTS.”
It’s Spiritual Reflection…
The ACTS Retreat experience is rooted in the Pascal Mystery in that retreatants are invited to reflect on the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
…And Spiritual Surrender
Throughout the weekend, retreatants are invited to prayerfully consider how they can respond to His love by spiritually surrendering to Jesus in order to have new life with Him.
THIS INVITATION IS EXTENDED THROUGH THE PILLARS OF THE RETREAT:
ADORATION:
Responding through prayer and worship to receiving God’s gifts of grace, mercy and love
Community:
Living and participating in the One Body of Christ as Church, beginning with the parish
Theology:
Deepening our relationship with God through prayerful study to better understand and fulfill His will for our lives
Service:
Answering the call to discipleship by following the model Christ gave us
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
AFTER ATTENDING
Those who attend an ACTS retreat share in an experience that has impacted more than one million lives worldwide since the first retreat in 1987. There are numerous testimonies describing retreatants who were evangelized through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. They witness to becoming better fathers, mothers, husbands, wives and children.
Parishes have been revitalized, diaconate classes have been filled, and all seek to deepen their relationship with Christ through prayer and service.
THE RESULTS
As a result, ACTS is supported by bishops and priests worldwide as a legitimate participant in the Church’s New Evangelization. Through ACTS, the laity respond to their baptismal call, and seek to participate in the apostolic mission of the Church to “go and make disciples of all nations,” and this has been found to be good.
How have ACTS Retreats impacted you?
Who is ACTS Missions?
We partner with Catholic parishes to build vibrant communities through ACTS Retreats. Our work enables parishes worldwide to offer this transformative experience to their communities.
Every ACTS Retreat opens hearts to Christ. ACTS Missions provides the foundation that makes these encounters possible. Through education, training, and ongoing support, we empower parishes to deepen faith and strengthen communities.
How We Serve
Local ACTS Missions Chapters are our hands and feet in communities worldwide. These dedicated groups of lay people serve as regional representatives, working directly with dioceses and parishes.
Each Chapter partners with their local diocese to support the bishop’s pastoral plan for evangelization. This ensures ACTS Retreats serve as an effective tool for parish renewal while maintaining Catholic teaching and tradition.
Did you know?
ACTS Missions is represented worldwide in:
Dioceses Worldwide
102 dioceses throughout the world
Dioceses in the U.S.
74 dioceses throughout the U.S.
States across the USA
28 states in the US representing 74 dioceses
Countries
6 countries throughout the world
Join Our Mission
ACTS Missioners keep this transformative work alive. Our monthly supporters have experienced ACTS Retreats firsthand. Now they help spread this gift to others.
Through prayer, evangelization, and monthly giving, Missioners bring ACTS to new communities. Their support provides training, resources, and scholarships. They ensure more lives can be transformed through ACTS Retreats.
