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.
Diffusions – Playing with Words: Benedict’s Little Rule for Beginners
With Tim Oberholzer
November 26, 2024
ZOOM
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 2024
December 2 - 18, 2024
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.
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!
Come to the Quiet
With Spirituality Ministry Team
January 24 - 31, 2025
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
At the core of Benedictine spirituality is the practice of listening deeply. 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…
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!
The Sacred Art of Traditional Iconography
With Fr. Damian Higgins
February 17 - 21, 2025
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
"Holy icons direct us 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.
Looking Forward to Easter
With Tim Oberholzer
February 28 - March 2, 2025
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Does your spiritual life need a reset? Is Lent your 40-day version of the movie Groundhog Day? Do you give up the same thing every year? Is every day bland and meaningless? Are you just waiting for Lent to be over? In Looking Forward to Easter we will use Chapter 49: The Observance of Lent from the Rule of St. Benedict as a guide for self-reflection. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we will examine our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual states to determine what should be washed away, what should be added, and what should be offered as we "look forward…
Diffusions – Benedict for Everyone
With Sr. Teresa Jackson, OSB
March 1 - April 5, 2025
ZOOM
Benedict for Everyone: Reading the Rule of Benedict in the Modern World In this class, we will explore how people who do not belong to monasteries can read the Rule of Benedict and apply it to their life in the “world.” Benedict’s “rule” is a guidebook for seeking a life centered on God and is easily adaptable to modern people. Together we will learn how to understand and apply Benedict’s transformative wisdom in our lives. The class will meet once a week for 1 1/2 hours. It will be challenging and interactive with discussion, practice and homework. Each session will…
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!
Centering Prayer Intensive
With Donna Kreiensieck and Marti Taylor
March 17 - 23, 2025
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Enhance your contemplative prayer life and expand the fundamentals of your Centering Prayer practice through this intensive weeklong retreat in a quiet, transformative setting.
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!
Journaling: The Sanctuary of the Heart
With Cheryl Johnson and Tim Oberholzer
May 19 - 23, 2025
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
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 depths they house. Journals are intimate explorings of the pain and beauty hidden in our exterior and interior landscapes.