Welcome to our Journal

A Conversation with David Torkington

David and Ryan Moreau discuss Essentialist Press, Prayer and their latest publication “Passport to Perfection”. Ryan Moreau is the original founder of Essentialist Press during which he published all five of David’s latest books creating the foundation of what is now a successful Publishing House and a forum for Metanoia Retreats.

Metanoia Retreats
  • Large stone building with tall arched windows and a central clock tower, resembling a historic church or abbey, surrounded by green lawns and a tree branch in the foreground.

    Retreat Belmont Abbey 5, Power in weakness

    Saturday, November 29th, 2025

    This is the 5th and final of a series of talks on Mystical Prayer given by David Torkington to members…
  • Large stone building with tall arched windows and a central clock tower, resembling a historic church or abbey, surrounded by green lawns and a tree branch in the foreground.

    Retreat Belmont Abbey 4, How To Pray In the Night

    Saturday, November 29th, 2025

    This is the 4th of a series of talks on Mystical Prayer given by David Torkington to members of the…
  • Large stone building with tall arched windows and a central clock tower, resembling a historic church or abbey, surrounded by green lawns and a tree branch in the foreground.

    Retreat Belmont Abbey 3. The Signs and the Analogy brought to Completion

    Friday, September 5th, 2025

    This is the third of a series of talks on Mystical Prayer given by David Torkington to members of the…
  • Large stone building with tall arched windows and a central clock tower, resembling a historic church or abbey, surrounded by green lawns and a tree branch in the foreground.

    Retreat Belmont Abbey 2. From Meditation to the beginning of Mystical Contemplation

    Friday, September 5th, 2025

    The second in a series of talks on Mystical Prayer. Given by David Torkington to members of the laity and…
  • Large stone building with tall arched windows and a central clock tower, resembling a historic church or abbey, surrounded by green lawns and a tree branch in the foreground.

    Retreat given at Belmont Abbey, Herefordshire – 1. An Introduction to Journeying Deeper

    Friday, September 5th, 2025

    This is the first of a series of talks on Mystical Prayer given by David Torkington to members of the…
  • Ornate church dome ceiling with colourful frescoes depicting religious figures and scenes, surrounded by arched windows letting in natural light.

    Next Steps After Reading Passport to Perfection

    Thursday, October 24th, 2024

    Congratulations on completing Passport to Perfection by David Torkington! This book is a profound resource that invites readers into a transformative journey…
  • The Journey to Spiritual Perfection: Embracing the Path to God

    The Journey to Spiritual Perfection: Embracing the Path to God

    Thursday, October 10th, 2024

    In a world that often prioritizes material success and instant gratification, the journey toward spiritual growth can seem like a…
  • The Importance of Spiritual Growth: A Journey to Divine Love and Fulfillment

    The Importance of Spiritual Growth: A Journey to Divine Love and Fulfilment

    Friday, October 4th, 2024

    In today’s fast-paced world, where we’re constantly juggling responsibilities and distractions, spiritual growth can often take a back seat. Yet,…
  • A Matter of Life and Death

    A Matter of Life and Death

    Wednesday, February 28th, 2024

    Author: David Torkington(Taken from ‘Wisdom from the Christian Mystics’) When he was only twenty-eight the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky was condemned to…
  • Ash Wednesday

    Ash Wednesday: To Contemplate and Share its Fruits with Others

    Wednesday, February 14th, 2024

    Author: David Torkington In the early Church Lent grew out of the final forty days of the two year preparation…
  • Family Spirituality Foreword

    Early Christian Spirituality Foreword

    Wednesday, February 14th, 2024

    Author: Kevin Wells On this cold winter morning in America, my Irish imagination has prodded into my mind an image…
  • Preparing for Lent

    Preparing for Lent: How to fast like the Saints (Part 7)

    Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

    Author: Matthew Plese So What Should Traditional Catholics Do To Restore the Lenten Fast? While no authority in the Church…
  • Preparing for Lent : How to fast like the Saints (Part 6)

    Preparing for Lent: How to fast like the Saints (Part 6)

    Monday, February 12th, 2024

    Author: Matthew Plese The Lenten Fast Virtually Eliminated Post Vatican II Shortly after the close of the Second Vatican Council,…
  • How to fast like the Saints (Part 5)

    Preparing for Lent: How to fast like the Saints (Part 5)

    Sunday, February 11th, 2024

    Author: Matthew Plese The Remnant of the Lenten Fast Left by the 20th Century The Catholic Encyclopedia from 1909 in…
  • How to fast like the Saints (Part 4)

    Preparing for Lent: How to fast like the Saints (Part 4)

    Saturday, February 10th, 2024

    Author: Matthew Plese The Lenten Fast Begins Deteriorating in the 1700s Some of the most significant changes to fasting would…
  • How to fast like the Saints (Part 3)

    Preparing for Lent: How to fast like the Saints (Part 3)

    Friday, February 9th, 2024

    Author: Matthew Plese Collations Are Introduced on Fasting Days in the 8th Century The rules on fasting remained largely the…
  • How to fast like the Saints (Part 1)

    Preparing for Lent: How to fast like the Saints (Part 1)

    Wednesday, February 7th, 2024

    Author: Matthew Plese The Purpose of Fasting In principio, in the beginning, the very first Commandment of God  to Adam…
  • How to fast like the Saints (Part 2)

    Preparing for Lent: How to fast like the Saints (Part 2)

    Wednesday, February 7th, 2024

    Author: Matthew Plese The Lenten Fast in the Early Middle Ages The Lenten fast began under the Apostles themselves and…
  • How to fast like the Saints (Introduction)

    Preparing for Lent: How to fast like the Saints (Introduction)

    Monday, February 5th, 2024

    Author: Ryan J. Moreau With Ash Wednesday only eight days away, the Lenten season is nearly upon us. Because one…