Our modern culture places a high value on non-fiction, deeming it to be the “reality,” while largely minimizing or dismissing the rich source of meaning that can be found in fiction, myth, and parable. Through a psycho-spiritual lens, we will explore how the human psyche can experience significant growth through deep interaction with certain forms […]

Discernment is an essential theme in the spiritual life. As we progress through our life, we constantly need to make practical decisions within the context of our values. These values are founded on our belief system, our culture, our understanding of and relationship with God. St. Benedict in his Rule is concerned that monks (actually […]

Cinema Divina uses the form of Lectio Divina with film. It is a time of prayer, reflection, and conversation to dive deeper into our story and recognize our call. This unique experience takes the participants on a journey through a film as we reflect together on our common human experience and the ability to live […]

God has not abandoned us in our weakness, struggle, or sickness. The Lord has promised that he will be with us always. Scripture tells us that Jesus, “sent them out two by two” to heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘“The kingdom of God has come near to you.” Jesus also said, […]

The Rule of Benedict emphasizes two forms of prayer, in particular: the Liturgy of the Hours and Lectio Divina. Benedict presupposes, without legislating, that monastics enter into silent prayer within these daily hours of communal and solitary prayer and reading. Monastic spirituality presupposes a reverence for and a practice of silence so as to be […]

Also available via Zoom The notion of “divinization” has traditionally been associated with Eastern Christian spiritual theology, particularly the Byzantine understandings of the sacraments and spiritual progress. In this workshop, we will encounter early Christian descriptions of theosis/divinization, and we will discover how both the Rule of Benedict and Gregory the Great’s Life of Benedict […]

As retreatants drawn to the desert, we often seek to cultivate the practice of silence, quieting ourselves to hear the voice of God. Yet the desert monastics were deeply attentive to the sounds around them: the wind, the raven, the thunder of a desert storm. They cultivated the practice of deep listening–– not to silence […]

Come unfold and glide through your dance of life that has been informed by dear friends, family members, and companions. Some may be present with you now; others may be felt and known only in spirit. All are your angels who continue to dance with you.

This retreat will consider the spiritual writings of English Carmelite nun Ruth Burrows. We will reflect on the source of her spiritual insights, the foundations of her mystical doctrine, and what it means for her to be drawn into and to become the “Yes” of Jesus Crucified, and the transformation that ensues. The retreat will […]

This intensive icon painting workshop will provide an opportunity to experience the process of icon painting. Participants will earn traditional iconographic techniques, working with egg tempera on gesso and the Byzantine four-color (tetrachrome) palette. This practical instruction will be combined with theoretical instruction in the history of iconography, iconographic composition, and the theology of icons. […]

The literature bearing the name of John - a Gospel, three letters, and the Book of Revelation - comprises some of the latest New Testament documents to have been written. Disparate in literary style and quality, these texts nevertheless reflect to varying degrees an outlook on the Chrisitan mystery associated with what might be called […]

We give them, we suffer them, our bodies hold on to them for years: Wounds. We can imprison ourselves in them and wither emotionally far too long without the transforming power of forgiveness. It is Divine Love that liberates us from resentment, self-pity and isolation. The love that forgives opens a path to inner freedom. […]