Men's Emmaus

What is the Emmaus Men’s Group?

The Emmaus Men’s Group provides a unique experience for men to gather together to share our Catholic faith in prayer, education, and support of one another as we strive to live our earthly lives on a path towards receipt of the Lord’s Grace. While the group operates out of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Greenwich, since 2017 over 180 men from the greater region have attended the annual weekend retreat and joined the Saint Michael’s Emmaus group. The group includes members from Greenwich, Stamford, New Canaan, various communities in Westchester, New York City, and upstate New York.

What Happens at the Emmaus Retreat?

The Emmaus Retreat is a weekend-long experience led by lay people. Originated in 1978, it now operates in many places around the world. From Friday evening to Sunday evening, we gather to share our love of God, renew and grow our faith, and strengthen our spiritual life. The structure of the retreat is based on the account in the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35 where two disciples encounter our risen Christ on the road to Emmaus. At first they do not recognize him, but eventually they invite him to supper and realize he is the Lord. Like those disciples in Luke, sometimes we can become so wrapped up in our own daily lives and feelings and are distracted by all the “noise” of the secular world, and we forget that it is Jesus Christ that accompanies us as we journey through our earthly life. But if we allow our eyes and hearts to be opened to Christ we can be transformed just like the disciples.

New retreat participants, known as “Walking Disciples,” renew and strengthen their relationship with Christ over the weekend. The three days are filled with fellowship and opportunities for reflection, prayer, and grace-filled times of worship, singing and the celebration of mass and sacraments. It is a special opportunity to meet and build relationships with other faith-focused men as we share our journey together.

The weekend retreat provides a safe, non-judgmental environment to reignite and deepen one’s faith through prayer, discussion, and meals. Through presentations, small group discussions and the other activities, the Emmaus retreat provides opportunities to share feelings, experiences, and challenges as we strive to live a faith-based life to help guide our families and our communities on the right path.

The Emmaus Retreat is open to all; you do not need to be religious or Catholic to attend. Indeed, many who experience the Emmaus Retreat have been distant from their faith, and find the experience as an opportunity to renew their connection to God and to men who have shared a similar journey. 

What Happens at the Emmaus Meetings?

After participating in the Emmaus Retreat, the Walking Disciples are considered Emmaus Brothers and can join the weekly meetings that continue year-round. At these meetings we plan for the next retreat, pray, and discuss scripture and other faith-based topics. Importantly, we support each other in keeping the Way, the Truth, and the Life front and center in our individual lives. Despite all the challenges of today’s crazy world, we find time to recenter ourselves with God. And, yes, sometimes we socialize over pizza and refreshments at our gatherings.

Simply put, joining Emmaus is a wonderful way to make new friends with a group of men that are journeying on the same road, working to keep their priorities guided by the Lord.

Who Can Join the Emmaus Men’s Group?

Any man over 21 years old interested in renewing, learning, living and growing their faith can join our group. You simply need to be a man interested in being a better man. You do not need to belong to St. Michael’s Parish or be a Catholic. Attendance at one of the annual weekend retreats as a “Walking Disciple” is the only requirement to join the group (and thereafter) attend the weekly meetings. 

The Emmaus Men’s Group is not a secret society. However, it is a ‘brotherhood’ of men who share a love of Christ and the Blessed Mother. It follows the teachings of the Catholic Church and instruction from its clergy. We share one another’s joys and challenges through discussion, and most importantly, prayer.

Is the Emmaus Men’s Group Mostly Spanish-Speaking?

Our group includes many wonderful Emmaus brothers from latin America (including, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico), Spain and other Spanish speaking countries. All meetings and retreat activities are conducted in English. The initial retreat for our local Emmaus group in 2017 was originated by Spanish speaking parishioners who brought experienced Emmaus leaders from Argentina to lead the weekend. The first retreat was held in Spanish, but it has been going strong every year since in English. For those Spanish speaking brothers who are still learning English it is a GREAT place to practice and learn English!

2024 EMMAUS Men's Retreat
The Emmaus VIII retreat will be held from Friday March 8th to Sunday March 10th, 2024, at the Don Bosco Retreat Center in Stony Point, NY. Registration is now open. Click here. For more information, email emmaus.sm.men@gmail.com or contact Joe Fonti (917) 805-8594 , Oscar Gutierrez (646) 896 4333 or David Falk (203) 414-0768.

Emmaus VIII Retreat

March 8-10, 2024

Location: Don Bosco Retreat Center in Stony Point, NY. Registration is now open. 

Access the  Emmaus VIII Retreat Sign Up Form Here.

Contact Information

emmaus.sm.men@gmail.com

Joe Fonti (917) 805-8594 

Oscar Gutierrez (646) 896-4333

David Falk (203) 414-0768