An Emmaus Experience - A Retreat for Women & Men

Emmaus began in 1978, with the approval of the Archdiocese of Miami, by Myrna Gallagher. Myrna's life work has been teaching Catholic religious education to children, teens and adults. Myrna's pastor, Father David Russell, saw the need for a parish-based retreat and asked Myrna to put together a retreat that would focus on women ministering to women.

After intense prayer and much thought, it was established that the theme of the retreat would be based on the Scripture passage found in the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35, the Emmaus Reading. The retreat was formed to be a parish-based ministry. Myrna, and a team of lay women, executed the first Emmaus retreat at St. Louis Parish in Miami.

Emmaus is a move of the Spirit, not a movement. Emmaus is a life changing experience. It is an experience where women/men gather to be ministered to by other women/men. It is for women/men who wish to experience God, renew and deepen their relationship with the Lord.

The men's Emmaus retreat program began in 1986 at the Dominican Retreat House in Miami. "Emmaus is a communal experience when two or more are gathered, share and love one another, Jesus becomes present. It is simple my dear brothers, love one another." Jim Loretta

In the years that followed, the Emmaus Retreat Program has grown, and thousands of women and men have experienced it. Emmaus is available in many states and Latin American countries through the men and women, who attended the retreat, moved and started the program in their new parishes.

Depending on the size of the parish, the Emmaus retreat is usually offered in the Spring and Fall of a given year. If you are anticipating having the Emmaus Retreat Ministry in your parish the first thing to do is to meet with your pastor and upon his approval, secure a date at your nearest retreat center, and purchase the retreat manual called: An Emmaus Experience. Cost of manual is $50 plus $10 S & H.

Make check payable to Myrna Gallagher and send to: 9020 SW 125 Avenue, #F305, Miami, FL 33186 Myrna can be reached at 305-273-7650.

The purpose of Emmaus is to build parish community. Emmaus is not separate from the parish, it is part of the parish ministry.

Emmaus has an ongoing Discipleship Program that keeps everyone connected. Schedule a specific time and date for a monthly gathering, eg: every second Saturday of the month from 9-11 a.m. This time gives everyone the opportunity to come together as people of faith and love and continue ministering to each other.

The Discipleship Program also offers a Living Emmaus Retreat once a year for all women/men who have made the Emmaus retreat. This retreat is called Living because the original Emmaus experience happened to the two disciples in the Gospel of Luke. The weekend you attend is called  "An Emmaus Experience" or our own personal experience. The Living Emmaus is offered to continue to guide and strengthen us because we are now living our Emmaus experience.

The most important ingredient for Emmaus is prayer. Prayer in thanksgiving for the gift of Emmaus as a ministry in a parish. In thanksgiving for the goodness and commitment of each woman/man who lovingly has make Emmaus their ministry. God alone allows Emmaus to be a ministry of a parish. And it is prayer that sustains the ministry.