Spirit Center Retreats
Individual Retreat
Flexible Dates
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
St. Benedict said, “Listen with the ear of your heart.” Why? It is this type of listening that allows the hearing of divine wisdom and inspiration that guides our lives into ever-increasing fullness, peace, and joy. But sometimes the noise and blur of life make that difficult. That is why we offer you the opportunity to come to Spirit Center and listen.
Diffusions :: Glittering Vices
With Tim Oberholzer
April 18 - May 16, 2024
Zoom
The vices mark things we need to leave behind. That is our starting point. ... [An] adequate and effective response invokes "graced disciplines," daily rhythms of discipleship that bridge a life held captive to vice and a life that shines with beautiful virtue. -- from the Preface of Glittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung This book discussion will follow Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung's Second Edition of Glittering Vices: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Their Remedies chapter-by-chapter. In this 10-week journey, our group will meet via 1 1/2 hour Zoom sessions, Thursdays, 6-7:30 pm (Pacific) 9-10:30 pm (Eastern),…
Diffusions – Praying with the Desert Mothers : Ammas as Scripture Scholars
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
May 1, 2024
Zoom
Looking closely at the sayings and lives of the desert saints, we think about their particular spiritual practices, what those practices lead to, and how we might imitate these practices in our own lives. Come see what our new friends can teach us about spiritual formation in this final part of our spring desert saints series!
The Passion of the Earth: An Eco-Spiritual Retreat
With Wendy Weiger
May 3 - 5, 2024
Spirit Center
We humans are part of a vast web of creation that sustains all life. But we’re unraveling the web. We are standing on a cusp. The choices we make will determine the course of our planet for thousands—even millions—of years to come. What will we choose? Will we join in God’s dance of hope, healing, and new creation? Or will we continue down our current path of destruction? We will consider these questions through the lens of the Passion of the Earth, a project of artwork and poetry that integrates scientific and Biblical understanding of the story of our universe.…
Diffusions – Monastic Land Stewardship: Caring for the Earth in Troubled Times
With Jason M. Brown, Samuel Torvend, Brenna Cussen-Anglada, Douglas Burton-Christie and Sr. Carol Ann Wassmuth, OSB
May 11 - August 10, 2024
ZOOM
This webinar series will focus on exploring the perspectives of contemplative and monastic communities on the ethics of care for the land. Through both historical and current examples, the speakers will discuss the relationship between the vow of stability and sense of place, the virtue of simplicity as an environmental ethic, work and prayer (Ora et Labora) as ecological theology, and Lectio Terra as embodied spirituality. The speakers will highlight the quiet environmental justice and conservation work that is happening on monastic lands all over North America.
Contemplative Photography
With Julie Ferraro, Obl.S.B.
May 24 - 26, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
With modern cell phones able to take photos, anyone can snap pictures. What, though, do we see in those photos? This retreat will offer participants an opportunity to see – and photograph – the natural surroundings at the monastery and other sights, while contemplating the purpose of those efforts, the results, and how the spiritual journey can progress while considering the beauty being captured with digital technology. (Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their DSLR or another style camera or cell phone with a high-resolution camera.)
Rooted
With Sr. Elisa Martinez, OSB
May 31 - June 2, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Benedictine stability is a vow to live in a particular place and with particular people for life. It is a commitment to meet challenging times with courage and steadfastness. In truth, we are all called to an "emotional stability which is the attitude of the heart that brings us to learn from life, rather than bolt from its strings" (Joan Chittister). When we rush from place to place, job to job, relationship to relationship we remain forever on the surface of life. When we put down roots we find time. We learn about ourselves and others. We grow emotionally, spiritually,…
Come to the Quiet
With Spirituality Ministry Team
June 7 - 14, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Relax in God's presence, surrounded by natural beauty and supported by a praying community. Experience a week of silence for your heart, soul, mind, and body. Let go and listen deeply. Come To The Quiet retreatants stay in a private room with a private bathroom, receive three meals a day, and access all of Spirit Center's amenities. Included Optional Offerings: Readings and images to spark your reflection Conversations with a spiritual director Communal prayer with the sisters of the Monastery of St. Gertrude T'ai Chi body prayer with Sr. Carlotta Mid-retreat sharing Group art creation of a sand mandala
Diffusions – Praying with the Desert Mothers : Heralds in the Desert
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
June 12, 2024
Zoom
Looking closely at the sayings and lives of the desert saints, we think about their particular spiritual practices, what those practices lead to, and how we might imitate these practices in our own lives. Come see what our new friends can teach us about spiritual formation in this final part of our spring desert saints series!
Exploring Nature’s Gifts
With Sr. Carlotta Fontes, OSB
June 27 - 30, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
“Our backyard is an abundant source of God’s gift of healing plants to us.” Discover what ancient herbal wisdom has to show us today. Learn how to identify and harvest herbs in order to make herbal teas, salves, and more. The retreat activities will take participants onto the Monastery of St. Gertrude hillside for hands-on experience.
Forgiveness
With Terese Luikens
July 9 - 11, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Has a person or an event of the past shattered your hope for the future? In the aftermath of a traumatic event, emotional stability is challenging. Ignoring trauma or loss never makes the pain go away. Silence only adds to the pain. Recovering from such an event may include coming to terms with one’s own anger, blame, and resentment. A liberal dose of forgiveness is what our wounds cry out for. Where there is forgiveness, there is healing. In truth, when someone hurts you, forgiving them helps YOU heal.
Trust the Process
With Sr. Meg Sass, OSB
July 12 - 14, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Change is as certain as death and taxes. Whether intended or unexpected, we experience change in subtle and dramatic ways throughout life. The Rule of St. Benedict offers regular practices in daily and seasonal rhythms to anchor us amidst these changes. The Benedictine way of life involves trusting the practices to carry us through the hard times when we feel weak and the outcome is uncertain. Using our own experience, Scripture stories, books, films, and family histories we will explore when and how we change and how we hold fast to "follow Christ more nearly" amidst the changes.
Journaling: The Sanctuary of the Heart
With Cheryl Johnson and Tim Oberholzer
July 15 - 19, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
What is sacred space? How do you enter it? What are you being invited into? How will you greet the Divine shining through this transparent world? The Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude welcomes the monastery of your heart. Here, the quest within and the world without join hands. Prompts of the Spirit and their counterparts in key moments, find a voice in the sanctuary of your journal, the sanctuary of the heart. Journaling, Joan Chittister says, is an “x-ray of your soul.” It gets beneath our facades to the bone, blood, tissue, and the spiritual…
A Sip of Silence
With Spirituality Ministry Team
July 26 - 28, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
For those unsure about drinking a full cup of silence or not able to schedule a longer time, this retreat provides a shorter version of our "Come to the Quiet" retreats. A dipper of silence may deepen your thirst for more.
Body Prayer
With Julie Ann Horras and Meredith Robbins
August 16 - 18, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Body Prayer retreat will satisfy your need for peaceful solitude at the beautiful Center for Benedictine Life and give opportunity to experience a fulfilling way to pray with your whole BEING!
Diffusions – Praying with the Desert Mothers : Desert as Idyllic Garden
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
September 4, 2024
Zoom
Looking closely at the sayings and lives of the desert saints, we think about their particular spiritual practices, what those practices lead to, and how we might imitate these practices in our own lives. Come see what our new friends can teach us about spiritual formation in this final part of our spring desert saints series!
Diffusions – Praying with the Desert Mothers : The Pearl of Great Price
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
October 16, 2024
Zoom
Looking closely at the sayings and lives of the desert saints, we think about their particular spiritual practices, what those practices lead to, and how we might imitate these practices in our own lives. Come see what our new friends can teach us about spiritual formation in this final part of our spring desert saints series!
Redefining Retirement: A Spiritual Practice
With Sr. Barbara Jean Glodowski, OSB
October 22 - 24, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Whether already retired or preparing for retirement, you can redefine the way you live into the second half of your life through an examination of the wisdom of Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Richard Johnson and the values of Benedictine spirituality. Explore the challenge with others on the journey.
Don’t Tell Me What To Do
With Tim Oberholzer
November 15 - 17, 2024
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
People often share that they would be a good fit for monastic life, "if it wasn't for that obedience thing." What is "that obedience thing?" Why is obedience considered onerous? What about "blind obedience?" Isn't that equally problematic? Where is the virtue in obedience? Let's find out together. For St. Benedict, obedience is much more than “doing what someone tells you to do.” We will consider Benedictine obedience as listening, gift, and spontaneity. We will also look at the motivations for (or against) obedience. In the Rule, Benedict offers fear, desire, love, and conversion as motives for obedience.
Diffusions – Praying with the Desert Mothers : Humility and the Manifestation of Thoughts
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
December 4, 2024
Zoom
Looking closely at the sayings and lives of the desert saints, we think about their particular spiritual practices, what those practices lead to, and how we might imitate these practices in our own lives. Come see what our new friends can teach us about spiritual formation in this final part of our spring desert saints series!
Diffusions – Praying with the Desert Mothers : Penthos and Tears – Signs of Conversion
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
February 5, 2025
Zoom
Looking closely at the sayings and lives of the desert saints, we think about their particular spiritual practices, what those practices lead to, and how we might imitate these practices in our own lives. Come see what our new friends can teach us about spiritual formation in this final part of our spring desert saints series!
Diffusions – Praying with the Desert Mothers : The Hidden Life
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
March 12, 2025
Zoom
Looking closely at the sayings and lives of the desert saints, we think about their particular spiritual practices, what those practices lead to, and how we might imitate these practices in our own lives. Come see what our new friends can teach us about spiritual formation in this final part of our spring desert saints series!
Diffusions – Praying with the Desert Mothers : Prayer and Hospitality
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
April 30, 2025
Zoom
Looking closely at the sayings and lives of the desert saints, we think about their particular spiritual practices, what those practices lead to, and how we might imitate these practices in our own lives. Come see what our new friends can teach us about spiritual formation in this final part of our spring desert saints series!