Center for Benedictine Life
We are the Monastery
The Center for Benedictine Life
at the Monastery of St. Gertrude:
All of us: The Monastery of St. Gertrude is more than just the sisters; it is becoming the Center for Benedictine Life which includes sisters, oblates, employees, cohousing, volunteers, friends and benefactors.
Sharing Benedict: Our purpose is to share Benedictine spirituality, values and practices with the world.
With New Purpose & Leadership: St. Gertrude’s will continue into the future as the Center for Benedictine Life, creating new ministries and supported by new forms of leadership.
June 13, 2022
Our vision
Prayer awakens. Justice impels.
Compassion acts.
Thy Kingdom Come.
Raspberry Social is Coming!
Only weeks away, the Raspberry Social will be another marvelous event at the Center for Benedictine Life! Check out what will be happening, and the list of fantastic raffle prizes.
Raffle tickets are now available!
Join Us in Prayer and Fasting for Ukraine and an End to Gun Violence.
We ask that you pray with us for peace and wellbeing for all.
Our Ministries
Historical Museum
Spirit Center
Inn at St. Gertrude
Enjoy One of the Upcoming Retreats
All are welcome!
Individual Retreat
flexible dates
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.
Come to the Quiet
JUNE 16 – 23, 2023
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.
Creative Peacemaking
JULY 21 – 23, 2023
In today’s world, we are being exposed to many faces of violence. Poverty, climate change, nuclear weapons, refugee rights, preparation and response to future pandemics, Healthcare crisis, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, gender equality, disinformation, freedom of the press, violence within our school, families, and communities, mass shootings, corruption, just to name a few. In light of this reality, how do we regain our inner peace and what is our role as peacemakers? During this weekend experience, we hope to discover ways to gain some inner peace and become peacemakers within our family, our neighborhoods, and our world communities.
Mappa Divina
AUGUST 15 – 17, 2023
Mappa Divina© is a sacred visioning process rooted in the contemplative practices of map making and pilgrimage. It involves writing, collage, and prayer intended to promote communion with the divine and alignment with Godde’s highest good for your life. The process is like creating a vision board but dives deeper into your inner landscape and is oriented toward being and doing rather than having. At the end of the retreat, participants will have a set of words and images to guide them on their journey forward. Best of all, it’s fun!
A Watercolor Journey II
SEPTEMBER 19 – 21, 2023
Take the next step toward becoming a confident watercolorist. Revisit the techniques learned in “A Watercolor Journey” and move forward to new skills. Any beginner class will serve as a prerequisite for this retreat. All materials provided.
Introduction to Centering Prayer
SEPTEMBER 22 – 24, 2023
St. Benedict frequently unites silence and prayer in the work of seeking God. Centering prayer is one of several prayer practices that flow out of Benedictine Life. Thomas Merton describes centering prayer as “a ‘return to the heart,’ finding one’s deepest center, awakening the profound depths of our being in the presence of God.” The goal is to be present to the Lord and aware of the divine action within you. This introductory retreat will provide the background and fundamentals of Centering Prayer and teach how to develop a continuing practice.
Visit Us
All are welcome to visit the monastery chapel, the Welcome Center, Museum, Spirit Center and the Inn at St. Gertrude. The Welcome Center and Historical Museum Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday, in the Pacific Time Zone.
For those who are unable to visit, the 11:30 am Sunday Mass is livestreamed on our Facebook page.
