Theme

The 35th year Manhattan University Retreat is:

Ephesians 3:20 –“Glory to Him, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ever ask or imagine.”  –

Ephesians 3:20 is one of the most soaring and hopeful verses in the New Testament, but its context makes it even more powerful. The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the early Christian community in Ephesus while he was likely imprisoned in Rome. Despite being physically chained and confined, Paul’s spirit was entirely unbound. In the chapters leading up to this verse, he had just finished praying that the Ephesians would be rooted in love and grasp the vast dimensions of Christ’s love. He wasn’t writing from a place of earthly triumph, but from a place of deep, tested faith, reminding his readers that God’s kingdom operates far outside the boundaries of human circumstances, setbacks, and physical limitations.

At its core, the meaning of this scripture is a beautiful reminder of the sheer scale of God’s grace and the reality of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. When Paul speaks of “power working in us,” he is shifting the focus away from our own exhausted efforts and pointing us toward divine strength. This verse is not a promise that God will grant our every earthly wish; rather, it is an assurance that His vision for our spiritual transformation is vastly larger than our own. We often pray for small comforts, minor course corrections, or simple relief, but God’s capacity and desire for our ultimate good exceed our narrow imaginations, aiming instead for complete restoration, deep healing, and eternal glory.

For us today, this verse serves as both an anchor and an invitation. Whether you are arriving here in a season of joy, navigating a difficult trial, or simply seeking a deeper purpose, Ephesians 3:20 invites you to expand your spiritual imagination. It challenges us to stop placing limits on what God can do with our lives, our communities, and our brokenness. By surrendering our rigid expectations and trusting in His active, inner power, we open ourselves to a life shaped not by what we can manage to ask for, but by the boundless, unfathomable love of God.

The retreat team has selected this Scripture as the theme for our 35th Manhattan University Reality Retreat which will be held at the beautiful Don Bosco Retreat Center
September 25, 26, 27th, 2026.

Please share this gift and bring your son, grandson, or a friend.
The Sacraments of the Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing will be available to strengthen your faith.

Our Retreat Mission is to inspire men to take responsibility for their spiritual lives and develop an intimate relationship with Jesus

May God bless you and your loved ones,
Live Jesus in our hearts forever,
Peter Monaco, CE