Some of the most meaningful moments of a retreat happen not during a workshop or excursion, but over a shared meal. It is around the table that friendships deepen, stories are exchanged, laughter is shared, and strangers become friends.

I learned this from my mother.

Growing up, our home was rarely quiet. My father was a pastor, and people were constantly coming through our doors. My mother had a gift for hospitality. She welcomed people warmly, fed them generously, and made them feel seen and cared for. Through her example, I learned that feeding people well is one of the simplest and most beautiful ways we can care for one another.

That lesson has shaped every retreat I host.

During our week at Cor Unum, meals will be an important part of our shared experience.

Many of our breakfasts will be enjoyed outdoors in the monastery courtyard, surrounded by gardens and morning light. Most evenings, however, we’ll gather together in the monastery’s beautiful vaulted dining hall. Once the room where Augustinian monks shared meals and prayer, it continues to serve its original purpose today: bringing people together around a common table. I think there is something especially meaningful about that continuity. Long before our group arrives, people gathered in this room to share food, conversation, prayer, and community. For one week, we will add our own chapter to that story.

The food itself will reflect the rhythms and traditions of southern Italy. Ingredients will come from the monastery’s gardens, nearby farms, and local producers, celebrating the seasonal flavors that make Puglian cuisine so memorable. Some meals will be simple and relaxed. Others will be beautifully styled celebrations of our time together.

At the heart of the culinary experience is Maria Grazia, whose family owns the monastery and a woman whose love of hospitality is evident from the moment you meet her.

While Maria is deeply knowledgeable about Italian food and culinary traditions, what people remember most is not her expertise, it’s her warmth. She believes that cooking is an act of care and that the most memorable meals begin with a generous heart.

During our week together, Maria will lead us in a hands-on culinary workshop inspired by the traditional dishes of Salento. As we cook, learn, and share stories around the table, we’ll gain a deeper appreciation not only for the food itself, but for the culture, hospitality, and sense of community that surround it.

In many ways, Maria and my mother share a similar philosophy: that food is never just food. It is an expression of welcome. A way of nurturing others. A reminder that some of life’s greatest gifts are often found around a table shared with people we care about.

My hope is that you’ll leave Cor Unum having enjoyed wonderful meals and unforgettable flavors. But even more than that, I hope you’ll leave remembering the people you shared them with.

Because while the food will be delicious, the true gift of a shared table has always been the fellowship it creates.

With a few exceptions, most of the meals included in the retreat tuition will be eaten at the Monastery. And most of these will be eaten, family style, in the courtyard or the large communal dining hall.

For our provided meals, water will be provided with lunch and dinner, and regular coffee and tea will be offered after dinner. There will be a few occasions where wine is provided with the dinners. You are welcome to purchase wine when it is not provided.

If you have any food allergies, or dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can confirm that the kitchen will be able to safely accommodate your needs.

NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR RETREAT TUITION

There are a few lunches which are not included in the retreat tuition. They will be on days when we will be away from the monastery at meal time and in locations with several options for your meals. You will find that you can eat on the cheap, with a €5 slice of pizza, or go all out with a €65 four course lunch. The choice is up to you.