Diocese of Palmerston North
Diocese of Palmerston North
Five days set apart for prayer and fraternity
Massey University · Palmerston North
"Dear brother priests — I warmly invite you to join me for these five days of prayer and fraternity. Let us together fan into flame the gift God has given us, and renew the joy of our priesthood at the feet of Christ."✠ John, Bishop of the Diocese of Palmerston North
About the Gathering
The Initiative for Priestly Renewal, in collaboration with the Diocese of Palmerston North, is hosting a five-day gathering for priests from across New Zealand and beyond.
Each day is anchored in the sacraments — Mass, Adoration, Confession, and the Divine Office — with three formation streams exploring the interior life, the art of accompanying souls, and the grace of the confessional.
The hope is that priests leave with a renewed sense of identity, mission, and brotherhood within the presbyterate — rekindled pastoral charity and deeper confidence in the power of the Gospel.
Bishops, priests, deacons and seminarians from all New Zealand dioceses are warmly invited. We also extend a fraternal welcome to our Oceania brothers, with invitations offered to the Archdiocese of Sydney and beyond.
Formation Programme
Interested in joining us for these five days?
Register Now →The Speakers
Author and educator on Catholic spirituality, co-host of Divine Intimacy on EWTN, and founder of Apostoli Viae.
Specialist in Carmelite spirituality and spiritual direction. Author of Fire From Above and other works on the interior life.
Preacher and retreat master whose ministry centres on conversion, mercy, and renewal through the sacramental life.
Host of The Sacred Heart Institute and contributor to the formation programme on Mary and mental prayer.
Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.
Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife Stephanie, broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio.
He is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a worldwide private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.
Dr Anthony Lilles has taught graduate level theology and assisted in clergy formation since 1994, having served at St Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Denver, St John Vianney Theological Seminary, and St John's Seminary in Camarillo.
He holds an ecclesiastical licentiate and doctorate in spiritual theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the Angelicum), specialising in St Elisabeth of the Trinity and the Carmelite Doctors of the Church.
He is the author of Fire From Above (Sophia Institute Press), Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux, and 30 Days with Teresa of Avila (both Emmaus Road).
Fr Francis Mary Roaldi, CFR is a native of Buffalo, NY and entered the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in 1999. He made his perpetual profession in 2004, was ordained in 2008, and spent six wonderful years in Central America.
In 2014 he returned to the United States to serve as novice director for nine years before being elected General Vicar of his congregation.
In his free time, he has the joy of directing retreats for seminarians, religious, and priests — studying Franciscan literature and befriending the saints.
Dr Joseph Hollcraft has taught at the middle school, high school, and university levels and was a Catholic radio host and apologist for fifteen years. He is currently a Professor and Director of the High Calling Program at the Avila Institute.
He is the author of A Heart for Evangelizing (Emmaus Road, 2016), Unleashing the Power of Intercessory Prayer (Sophia Press, 2020), and Contemplating the Seven Sorrows of Mary (Sophia Press, 2024).
Joseph earned his BA and MA from Franciscan University of Steubenville and received his PhD from Graduate Theological Foundation with studies completed at Oxford University.
Daily Schedule
Five days set apart — we would love to have you join us.
Early Bird places are limited
Registration
Standard registration at a reduced rate. Book early to secure your place.
Available until 31 August 2026Full gathering registration including accommodation, meals, and all formation sessions.
Full gathering registration including accommodation, meals, and all formation sessions — plus your generosity sponsors a brother priest who may not otherwise be able to attend.
A gift to the presbyterateAll tiers include: accommodation · all meals · full access to the formation programme
Bishop's Bursary
If the cost of attending gives you pause, please reach out. Bishop John has set aside a small number of bursaries for priests for whom cost is a barrier. Your enquiry will be treated with complete confidence.
Enquire in confidence →Not a priest?
You love your priest. You see him at the altar, at the bedside, at the school gate — giving, always giving. But who renews him? You can be part of this.
Ask God to move the heart of your priest — that he would say yes to this time apart. Pray for every priest who attends, that these five days bear fruit for decades in their parishes.
Download the Novena →Does your priest know about this? Tell him you'd love for him to go. Tell him you'll hold the fort. Sometimes a priest needs to hear from his people that it's okay to be renewed.
Share with a priest →Consider making a gift toward a priest's attendance. Any amount goes directly toward ensuring that no priest is turned away because of cost.
Give to the Bursary →We'd love to hear from you. Whether you have a question, want to talk something through, or simply want to know more — reach out and we'll get back to you.
Get in touch →Prayer
Nine days of prayer to St John Vianney for the renewal of priests — prayed together by priests, by those who lead alongside them, and by those who love them.
Download the Novena →Practical Information
Registration
Five days set apart — we would love to have you join us.
Your information is stored securely within the Diocese of Palmerston North's Microsoft 365 environment in accordance with our privacy policy.
Register Now →Privacy Statement
Thank you for taking the time to complete this form. The information you provide will help the Diocese of Palmerston North manage registrations, communicate important details, and offer appropriate follow-up where needed.
Your personal information will be treated with care, stored securely, and only used for the purposes connected with this event or initiative.
Read our full privacy policy →Get in Touch
Questions, bursary enquiries, or just a thought — we'd love to hear from you.
Contact Us →