The Initiative for Priestly Renewal in conjunction with St Patrick’s Seminary & University and the Avila Institute present

Confessor’s Institute

June 23-27, 2025

Villa Maria Retreat Center 

Santa Cruz, CA

Instruction, workshops and discussion on aspects of the Sacrament of Penance and its effects on the lives of confessors, penitents and the Church’s entire sacramental economy.

• Rediscover the spirituality of the confessor, as developed by great confessors such as St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Jean Vianney, St. Padre Pio, St. Alphonsus Ligouri and other moderns, such as the American Servants of God, Fr. Theodore Foley of Pittsburgh and Fr. Solanus Casey of Detroit 
• Instruction in the skillful hearing of confessions with practical guidance in navigating spiritual healing, deliverance, new moral issues and special developing pastoral circumstances
• Examination of the sacrament from a confessor’s point of view under the guidance of experienced confessors and experts 
• Revisiting of the reform of the Rite of Penance of Paul VI, as well as a review the form of the sacrament in the Rites of 1962 
• Discuss pastoral strategies advancing the practice of the Rite of Penance as an effective force in the renewal of the Church intended by the Second Vatican Council and now implemented in the New Evangelization.

Confirmed Speakers

(more to come)

Fr. Jerome Magat, STD - vice rector and moral theology who teaches the sacrament of reconciliation at St. Patrick’s seminary and university in Menlo Park.

Fr. Kevin Joyce - retired pastor from the diocese of San Jose, professor of theology who teaches spiritual direcion at St. Patrick’s seminary and university in Menlo Park

Fr. Gary Thomas - retired pastor and exorcist from the diocese of San Jose, director of the Propaedeutic Program at St. Patrick’s seminary and university in Menlo Park.

Fr. Francis Mary, CFR, former novice master and vicar general, an instructor for the Avila Institute and the High Calling Program.

Fr. Jesse Maignot, OP STL seminary professor from the Archdiocese of Trinidad

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