Spirit Center Retreats
Spirit Center facilitated group retreat offerings.
Experiencing Creation as CREATION
With Mary Litch
August 9 - 14, 2026
Spirit Center
This outdoor-focused retreat aims to give participants the experience of God’s presence in the
natural world. The retreat journey starts by introducing Franciscan (Catholic) theology, which
emphasizes God’s immanence in the world. From there, we use a variety of indoor and outdoor
exercises to build an attitude of gratitude for and mindfulness of the natural world, culminating
in an outdoor exercise that leads participants to “step into Creation.” On the final retreat day,
we use exercises based on Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si, to
examine the implications of God’s immanence in Creation on our actions.
“Pray + Work” Retreat
With Mary Litch
September 5 - 7, 2026
Spirit Center
Join retreat leader Mary Litch for a combination spiritual retreat and work weekend as we put St. Gertrude’s famous raspberry patch “to bed” for the fall.
Sessions will alternate between work in the patch, cutting back the raspberry canes, and exercises to help you explore the Mystery of Creation in light of your personal spiritual journey. Indoor exercises include both meditation on brief passages and engaging with the multi-media artwork Passion of the Earth that is installed in the Spirit Center foyer. Outdoor exercises will focus on building gratitude for creation, and experiencing oneself as part of creation. There will be opportunities for group sharing at the end of each day.
Mappa Divina 2026
With Heather Berndt
September 10 - 13, 2026
Mappa Divina© offers a creative and contemplative process to help you reconnect with your soul’s path as you navigate the threshold of life’s second half. Drawing from the art of cartography, mythology, and archetypal psychology, Mappa Divina© invites you to engage with imagery, words, and prayer to create a personalized map of your evolving Self.
Unlike a traditional vision board, Mappa Divina© speaks the symbolic language of your inner landscape, focusing on being rather than having. This unique process is grounded in the mythopoetic wisdom of the Judeo-Christian mystical tradition and the depth psychology of Carl Jung, guiding you toward greater clarity, meaning, and wholeness.
A Watercolor Journey II
With Pearl Maxner
September 15 - 17, 2026
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
St. Benedict highlighted the role of artisans in monastic life. The Center for Benedictine Life fosters awareness of the sacred moment, tending the inner life and the beauty of creation. Art is essential to the contemplative path. It expresses new ways to “see” the invisible and participate with the Divine and the human. Surrounded by […]
Introduction to Centering Prayer
With Donna Kreiensieck and Mary Bieter
September 18 - 20, 2026
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
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 […]
Spiritual Discipline of Contemporary Iconography
With Kara Gillette
October 8 - 14, 2026
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
Iconography Retreats are a time to break from our busy modern lives and connect deeply with God through the ancient practice of icon writing. Throughout this 6-day retreat, instructor Kara Gillette will provide detailed instruction, as well as individual support, guiding the process using a combination of traditional techniques and processes with the aid of […]
The Letter: An Intimate Pilgrimage
With Cheryl Johnson and Tim Oberholzer
October 27 - 31, 2026
Spirit Center at the Monastery of St. Gertrude
On this pilgrimage we will accompany each other on this personal road to Emmaus. We will begin by finding one “person” (family member, friend, colleague, Saint, God, pet, tree, animal, house, strangers within and without, etc) with whom we will explore on pilgrimage. We will address our letters to this person. By the end of our pilgrimage, each retreatant will leave with a stack of letters. Perhaps, ready for mailing or for storing or for continuing the journey. Each day we will explore a variety of ways to write these letters--expressing gratitude, forgiveness, discord, healing—whatever surfaces and asks for attention.
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.” You are invited to join us as we endeavor to become a better instrument of listening and healing as spoken by St. Francis so long ago: “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.”
Sacred Reset: A Yoga Retreat for Body & Spirit
With CC Horton
January 8 - 10, 2027
Welcome to a three-day retreat created to help you step away from the noise of everyday life and return to what is sacred. This retreat offers a balance of guided experiences and quiet moments to simply breathe, reflect, and be.
Together we’ll explore how movement awakens the body, creativity opens the heart, and authentic connection nurtures the spirit. Whether you’re seeking rest, renewal, or simply time to breathe, you’ll discover practices that invite greater peace, deeper awareness, and a renewed appreciation for the sacred woven throughout everyday life.
Every movement practice is thoughtfully designed for all experience levels and physical abilities. Participants will be offered supportive modifications so everyone can participate with confidence and ease.