Sensing the Divine with St Hildegard of Bingen.
With Karla Neumann Smiley, Obl.S.B.
July 7 - 10, 2026
St. Hildegard of Bingen was a 12th century Benedictine mystic, visionary, artist, composer, herbalist, and Doctor of the Church. A polymath who has left us with a vast array of music, writing, art, and inspiration, Hildegard’s life and work offer a rich and multi-sensory experience. In this retreat we will engage our five senses as we explore the diversity of her life and prayer and work. We will bring her gifts to the 12th century church forward to today and ask how they might help draw us closer to the Divine.
Leader
Karla Neumann Smiley, Obl.S.B.
Karla is an oblate, visual artist, and spiritual director. The Center for Benedictine Life’s Spirituality & the Arts program drew her more deeply into the community of St Gertrude’s. Early in its development, Karla served on the Spirituality & Arts Team and facilitated several workshops including The Artist’s Prayer and Mindful Impressions, a printmaking workshop co-led with her spouse Wil Smiley. She was a member of the three-person facilitation team for the Embracing the Artistic Call (EAC) cohort experience from 2016-2020 and was blessed to be an Artist in Residence in 2019. Karla holds a Master’s degree in Theology and…
Learn more about Karla Neumann Smiley, Obl.S.B.
Karla is an oblate, visual artist, and spiritual director. The Center for Benedictine Life’s Spirituality & the Arts program drew her more deeply into the community of St Gertrude’s. Early in its development, Karla served on the Spirituality & Arts Team and facilitated several workshops including The Artist’s Prayer and Mindful Impressions, a printmaking workshop co-led with her spouse Wil Smiley. She was a member of the three-person facilitation team for the Embracing the Artistic Call (EAC) cohort experience from 2016-2020 and was blessed to be an Artist in Residence in 2019. Karla holds a Master’s degree in Theology and…
Learn more about Karla Neumann Smiley, Obl.S.B.