Spirit Center Retreats
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Open Dates
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Spirit Centers offers contemplative space for learning, renewal, and crucial conversation with others for a better world. Sometimes that means taking private time in silence and nature. Sometimes that means a group retreat to express or deepen spiritual longings. Sometimes that means sitting in safe conversation with the Holy Spirit and a spiritual director. If you aren't sure which is appropriate now, give them a gift certificate and let them choose their path.
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.
The Healing Power of Listening
With Allen Tacke
November 5 - 8, 2026
Monastery of St. Gertrude, Spirit Center
Listening is a step removed form hearing. It is conscious, deliberate and intentional. Listening is an art and a skill that does need conscious effort, practice and development. It is the basis of our relationships with each other and ourselves. At its highest, the genuine act of listening can even be healing. During this four-day retreat we will dive deeply into listening and its many different aspects. Ways of listening to yourself and to others will be demonstrated and explored with the focus of the retreat coming from the maxim: “You can only treat others the way you treat yourself.”…
Diffusions – Playing with Words: Benedict’s Little Rule for Beginners
With Tim Oberholzer
November 17, 2026
St. Benedict's "little rule written for beginners" invites us to grow in virtue through intentional living in the ordinariness of life. The text contains numerous themes to inspire and direct individuals and communities in the way of perfection. During these Zoom sessions, we will ponder the Rule of St. Benedict by "playing" with recurring words and themes. Each month we will examine Benedict's weaving of a different word or theme through the Rule to gain an understanding of his intention and our application.
Silence the Christmas Noise 2026
November 30 - December 18, 2026
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Set aside a few days for calm, quiet Advent reflection this year. You are worth this gift of time away from the holiday rush, to prepare yourself for the true meaning of Christmas.
Come to the Quiet: Overwintering Hearts
With Retreat Team
January 22 - 29, 2027
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.
The Sacred Art of Traditional Iconography 2027
With Fr. Damian Higgins
February 1 - 5, 2027
Spirit Center
Iconography refers to the Christian tradition of sacred art within worship and the prayerful, mystical life. "Whether we know it or not, we’re an iconographic people,” Father Damian Higgins says. “We’re surrounded by images we respond to, but mostly they advertise. They direct us toward a product. Holy icons direct us not toward themselves, but toward the divine.” Fr. Damian Higgins is an iconographer whose works are featured around the world. Don't miss this encounter with sacred Christian art using traditional egg tempera. Materials provided; no experience is necessary.
Diffusions: St. Gertrude of Helfta: Companion for the Millennium
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
February 10, 2027
Join us in reading with and about St. Gertrude of Helfta, 13th-century mystic and namesake of St. Gertrude's Monastery, in Gertrude of Helfta: Companion for the Millennium by Sr. Evangela Bossert. Each chapter is a description of part of Gertrude's story, a description of one of her visions, and then a meditation on these for our own lives. Beginning with the Introduction, we are progressing chapter-by-chapter through the book. Each session is facilitated to stand alone but the greatest benefit will come through participating in each session. Reading the chapter in advance will prime participants for the day’s discussion. This session will reflect…
Book Binding Retreat
With Ann Dibble
February 12 - 16, 2027
Spirit Center
Monasteries have been binding books for more than a thousand years, for the glory of God. The Monastery of St. Gertrude participated in this tradition. A sacrament is where the human meets the holy.—come learn how it is done, and leave with a blank book you created yourself in an atmosphere of prayer. While the glue dries, we will offer chances for contemplation, discussion, or for time alone in nature. Limit six.
Centering Prayer Intensive
With Donna Kreiensieck and Mary Bieter
February 22 - 28, 2027
Spirit Center
This 7 days/6 night Centering Prayer retreat provides an opportunity to deepen one’s established Centering Prayer practice by building to 4 ½ hours of prayer time at mid-week. During the retreat, one is held in prayer by the sisters of St. Gertrude’s Benedictine community located on the Camas Prairie in Central Idaho. The Spirit Center offers a quiet setting to support your retreat; including private rooms with baths, meals, daily prayer with the sisters, hiking trails, museum and gift shop. “As silence deepens, it transforms into Divine Presence in contemplative prayer. This pervasive presence invites us to accept the embrace…
Diffusions: St. Gertrude of Helfta: Companion for the Millennium
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
March 24, 2027
Join us in reading with and about St. Gertrude of Helfta, 13th-century mystic and namesake of St. Gertrude's Monastery, in Gertrude of Helfta: Companion for the Millennium by Sr. Evangela Bossert. Each chapter is a description of part of Gertrude's story, a description of one of her visions, and then a meditation on these for our own lives. Beginning with the Introduction, we are progressing chapter-by-chapter through the book. Each session is facilitated to stand alone but the greatest benefit will come through participating in each session. Reading the chapter in advance will prime participants for the day’s discussion. This session will reflect…
Diffusions: St. Gertrude of Helfta: Companion for the Millennium
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
May 5, 2027
Join us in reading with and about St. Gertrude of Helfta, 13th-century mystic and namesake of St. Gertrude's Monastery, in Gertrude of Helfta: Companion for the Millennium by Sr. Evangela Bossert. Each chapter is a description of part of Gertrude's story, a description of one of her visions, and then a meditation on these for our own lives. Beginning with the Introduction, we are progressing chapter-by-chapter through the book. Each session is facilitated to stand alone but the greatest benefit will come through participating in each session. Reading the chapter in advance will prime participants for the day’s discussion. This session will reflect…
Diffusions: St. Gertrude of Helfta: Companion for the Millennium
With Dr. Samantha L. Miller
September 8, 2027
Join us in reading with and about St. Gertrude of Helfta, 13th-century mystic and namesake of St. Gertrude's Monastery, in Gertrude of Helfta: Companion for the Millennium by Sr. Evangela Bossert. Each chapter is a description of part of Gertrude's story, a description of one of her visions, and then a meditation on these for our own lives. Beginning with the Introduction, we are progressing chapter-by-chapter through the book. Each session is facilitated to stand alone but the greatest benefit will come through participating in each session. Reading the chapter in advance will prime participants for the day’s discussion. This session will reflect…