Spiritual Direction (virtual, one-on-one)
Open Dates
We are currently offering Spiritual Direction via telephone or web only. The recommended donation for one-on-one spiritual direction is $75. Registration for this program is used primarily to log payments.
Explore/Inquire About a Customized Personal Retreat
Open Dates
Benedictine Center
The experienced members of the Benedictine Center staff enjoy helping women and men like you find just the right blend of resources for their unique spiritual journeys. With a better sense of your preferences in terms of timing, special diets, accommodations and more, we will help you plan your retreat and gather any resources you might need, […]
2021-9-13 Quiet Retreat (1 night)
Package Dates
Benedictine Center
A Quiet Retreat gives you one night away from responsibilities. The room and three home-cooked meals are prepared with a personal touch. You are welcome but not obligated to join the Sisters for prayer. Take in the art, read, or walk the labyrinth as you choose. The time is yours. Some guests find it helpful to […]
Sustaining the Practice Retreat (3 nights or more)
Flexible Dates
Benedictine Center
Often people who are feeling called to integrate the disciplines of silence and spiritual practice into their lives choose a retreat of three nights or more. A Sustaining the Practice Retreat invites a person to set aside a significant window of time (between 3 and 7 nights) for renewal and growth. One can explore the riches of […]
Peace Retreat (2 nights)
Package Dates
Benedictine Center
A Peace Retreat helps you settle in to the calm that greets you at the monastery doors. Day 1 helps you familiarize yourself with the beauty and resources. Day 2 allows you the freedom to linger without travel. Day 3 allows you to ease back into normal life. The Peace Retreat helps you begin to feel […]
Quiet Retreat (1 night)
Package Dates
Benedictine Center
A Quiet Retreat gives you one night away from responsibilities. The room and three home-cooked meals are prepared with a personal touch. You are welcome but not obligated to join the Sisters for prayer. Take in the art, read, or walk the labyrinth as you choose. The time is yours. Some guests find it helpful to […]
Guided Retreat for the Emerging Poet
With Victor Klimoski
Package Dates
Benedictine Center
Looking for a chance to spend time with your inner writer? This individualized retreat, guided by an experienced poet, provides space and support to explore ways of enriching your writing practice. Over the course of the 48 hours, you will have the opportunity to meet with writing coach Victor Klimoski to discuss your poems, the […]
Day of Prayer (no overnight)
Package Dates
Benedictine Center
A Day of Prayer is a simple way to step into some quiet. Enjoy a private room and whatever degree of solitude you prefer. Some guests join the Sisters for midday prayer and visit with them at lunch. Others prefer to journal, read, pray and walk the grounds at their leisure. The monastic library, art […]
2023-09-29 Sand, Symbol and Source
With Rev. Sheryl Lyndes Stowman, M. Div.
September 29 - 30, 2023
St. Paul's Monastery
Sand, Symbol and Source Developing your Inner Knowing What does it mean to listen and explore your present experience as the doorway of the Divine? In this retreat you may bring a question or challenge, an exploration of your life purpose or a significant transition. Or you may bring your curiosity and openness to discovering who and what you are. This retreat is designed to provide support and guidance as you deepen your ability for inner sensing and knowing. Through the imaginative method of playing with sand and symbol, you can enter into a practice that calls forth the “yet to be known.” The sand is a spacious place that holds all. It allows you to play with what is present and unfolding in you. This is an expressive modality that we will be using for spiritual exploration and guidance. Inquiry includes the wisdom of all three of our knowing centers—Belly, Heart and Mind. We will draw on the work of Bio-Spiritual Focusing, John Prendergast and the Diamond Approach in providing meditations and exploration sessions that will bring you into greater awareness and embodied knowing. Join us for this playful and supportive exploration of what is arising in your soul. […]
2023-10-6: Hopeful Women: Past, Present and Future
With Sister Paula Hagen, OSB
October 6 - 7, 2023
Benedictine Center of St. Paul's Monastery
Learn, pray and share with other women about your current experiences and challenges as we explore three inspiring women of hope. Goals: To define the virtue of hope, and listen to how other women express hope. To pray with other women for renewed hope, and experience the joy and wisdom of others. Expectations: Please bring a photograph of a hopeful person you love and admire. "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and give you hope and future." Jer. 29:11 The three women we will feature are: Mother Benedicta Riepp- (1825-1862) German Founder of American Benedictine Women. Sister Simone Campbell, former Executive Director of Network Lobby for Catholic Social Service. She led 6 cross-country tours, "Nuns on the Bus,” to raise awareness of the Sisters' involvement in programs for the poor. She is the author of Hunger for Hope and Nuns on the Bus. Sister Thea Bowman- (1937 – 1990) was a Black Catholic religious sister, teacher, musician, liturgist and scholar who made major contributions to the ministry of the Catholic Church toward African Americans. She was the first Sister asked to speak at the United States Bishop Conference on Black Spirituality.
When Bad Things Happen … The Book of Job for Troubled Times
With Peter Watkins
October 13 - 14, 2023
St. Paul's Monastery
During this retreat we will courageously ask, “What do I do with my pain?” and “Where is God in suffering?” With the story of Job as our guide, we will gently and honestly reflect on how we make meaning of life in light of a God of love and compassion. Job’s story is our story. His soulful search for answers cuts right through superficial platitudes and cliches. It speaks to our hearts, and it helps guide us on a path toward real hope. Through quiet reflection, contemplative prayer practices, engaging talks, and small group discussion, we will discover for ourselves how the God of life and love is present to each one of us, especially in times of struggle.
2023-11-03 A Time to Remember: A Retreat for Women Whose Mothers Have Died
With S. Joanne Dehmer SSND
November 3 - 4, 2023
Benedictine Center
We mourn the death of our mother all the days of our life. Whether our mother died this year or forty years ago, we grieve. Some of us grieve what we had and some of us grieve what never was in our relationship with our mother. This retreat offers women an opportunity to explore the significance of mother loss. Offered by the Loyola Spirituality Center at the Benedictine Center. Please call S. Joanne before registering at 651-641-0008 ext. 12.
Savoring Scripture: A Weekend of Lectio Divina Practice
With Tod Twist, Kami Pohl and Sheryl Rose
November 10 - 12, 2023
St. Paul's Monastery
Lectio Divina encourages you to approach Scripture to hear from God personally, for the sake of your spirit. This weekend will combine times of group learning and discussion with times of silence to create a quiet space for retreatants to hear from God personally through Scripture. Participants are encouraged to come to the retreat with a passage of Scripture already selected to practice Lectio Divina during the weekend. We will give short presentations on the traditional four voices of Scripture (Literal, Symbolic, Moral, Mystical) and then give ample time for retreatants to approach their passages in terms of each voice. In addition, we will enjoy a guest presentation on Visio Divina on Saturday afternoon, by artist and Oblate Rev. Peggy Thompson. [Please be aware that retreatants will be encouraged to keep silence during the weekend apart from group sessions, including overnights.]