The Emmaus Spark of the Holy Spirit

Emmaus brothers and sisters encountering Christ.

The Regnum Dei Center did not simply appear as a North Carolina retreat facility seeking North and South Carolina visitors. Its spark began through the spiritual fruit of a ministry from throughout the Carolinas and beyond.

Several years ago with the encouragement of a Priest actively leading men and women in the Hispanic Emaus ministry, a current and active Emmaus brother attended an Emmaus of the Carolinas retreat for the first time and was deeply affected by what God did through his experience. His conviction eventually led to the decision by his nonprofit called ArchAngel Ministries to make an extraordinary personal commitment: he donated a substantial tract of his own property for the development of a retreat facility called the Regnum Dei Center where others could encounter Christ through prayer, retreat, fellowship and the sacramental life of the Church.

What followed became a genuinely regional faith-based effort involving hundreds, if not thousands, of Emaus/Emmaus brothers and sisters throughout they Carolinas.

Emmaus brothers and sisters from throughout the Dioceses of Charleston and all over North Carolina, have freely contributed their time, talent, treasure, labor and resources to help make the Regnum Dei Center a reality. These amazing men and women have not simply been visitors to the property; they have participated in its development and helped advance the mission it now serves.

It is a place that exists, in part, because of the generosity and faith of Catholics within the Dioceses of Charleston and Charlotte. Furthermore, it is a resource for Christians everywhere. Regnum Dei was conceived with the Emmaus of the Carolinas retreat apostolate particularly in mind, but its mission is much broader.

The center is available to ministries from all over seeking a place for:

• retreats and days of silence and reflection;
• religious talks and formation;
  
• ministry meetings and leadership gatherings;
• concerts,
• fellowship events;
• family retreats;
• private spiritual retreats;
• priest retreats;
• college and campus ministry gatherings;
• prayer and meditation; and when ever possible the
• celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Adoration.

The Regnum Dei Center offers something particularly valuable: a dedicated ministry environment close enough to be practically accessible, yet sufficiently removed from ordinary routines to provide the quiet and sacred space necessary for retreat and spiritual renewal.

A strong personal witness story of faith producing concrete action

The retreat center is a story about men and women who attended a Catholic lead (often non denominational) retreat called Emaus/Emmaus and experienced God working powerfully in their lives then turning that experience into action:

That experience produced conviction.

Conviction produced generosity.

Generosity sustains the ministry.

That ministry inspires Christians from the Carolinas and beyond to contribute their own time, talent and treasure.

And together, they build a place dedicated to helping still more people encounter Christ!