Minnesota Contemplative Outreach Lenten Silent Retreat
Friday March 20 - Sunday, March 22, 2026
Benedictine Center of St Paul's Monastery
2675 Benet RD, Maplewood, MN 55109
Check in is at 3:00 pm on Friday. Our first gathering will be at 4:30 pm that day.
Departure is after lunch on Sunday. We will be honoring the silence from 7:00 pm on Friday until 11:00 am on Sunday (40 hours).
There will be multiple opportunities to participate in group centering prayer sessions throughout the weekend, as you feel called to.
You are welcome to join the sisters in community prayer, or to walk outside as you see fit.
The total cost of the retreat is $240. Scholarships are available. Cost includes 2 nights lodging and 6 meals.
The facilitator, Mark Thiel, was the co-lead for the Advent retreat in December, 2025. Mark is a commissioned presenter of centering prayer introductory workshops and facilitates centering prayer and lectio divina at his church and at Stillwater Prison.
Friday March 20 - Sunday, March 22, 2026
Benedictine Center of St Paul's Monastery
2675 Benet RD, Maplewood, MN 55109
Check in is at 3:00 pm on Friday. Our first gathering will be at 4:30 pm that day.
Departure is after lunch on Sunday. We will be honoring the silence from 7:00 pm on Friday until 11:00 am on Sunday (40 hours).
There will be multiple opportunities to participate in group centering prayer sessions throughout the weekend, as you feel called to.
You are welcome to join the sisters in community prayer, or to walk outside as you see fit.
The total cost of the retreat is $240. Scholarships are available. Cost includes 2 nights lodging and 6 meals.
The facilitator, Mark Thiel, was the co-lead for the Advent retreat in December, 2025. Mark is a commissioned presenter of centering prayer introductory workshops and facilitates centering prayer and lectio divina at his church and at Stillwater Prison.
Save The Date:
The Quiet Path of Transformation - A Centering Prayer Retreat
Wednesday, August 13 - Sunday, August 16, 2026
Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri
Directed by Susan Komis
Susan is an experienced retreat director and long time collaborator with Fr. Thomas Keating.
The Quiet Path of Transformation - A Centering Prayer Retreat
Wednesday, August 13 - Sunday, August 16, 2026
Conception Abbey, Conception, Missouri
Directed by Susan Komis
Susan is an experienced retreat director and long time collaborator with Fr. Thomas Keating.
12-Step Spirituality Workshops 2025-26
Explore Centering Prayer
and deepen your daily practice of Step 11
Online, Every Saturday, 9:30-10:45 a.m.
In-person, 1st Saturdays (October-May), 9:30-Noon
Explore Centering Prayer
and deepen your daily practice of Step 11
Online, Every Saturday, 9:30-10:45 a.m.
In-person, 1st Saturdays (October-May), 9:30-Noon
Each Zoom session includes:
• Welcome to newcomers
• Welcoming Prayer
• Centering Prayer meditation guidelines
• One 20-minute Centering Prayer
• Speaker sharing 5 minutes on their spiritual journey of recovery
• Small group discussions
• Grateful Heart Practice
For further information or to join the mailing list,
visit the website at 12stepspirituality.org.
• Welcome to newcomers
• Welcoming Prayer
• Centering Prayer meditation guidelines
• One 20-minute Centering Prayer
• Speaker sharing 5 minutes on their spiritual journey of recovery
• Small group discussions
• Grateful Heart Practice
For further information or to join the mailing list,
visit the website at 12stepspirituality.org.
Labyrinth Walk and Contemplative Meditation
First Saturday of each month
St. Edward the Confessor Church
865 N Ferndale Road
Wayzata, MN 55391 (map)
9:30 a.m. – Gathering, Coffee, Conversation
10:00 a.m. – Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, Walking the Labyrinth
St Edward the Confessor Church in Wayzata hosts a Labyrinth Walk and Contemplative Meditation on the first Saturday of each month. Join us at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and conversation. Those who wish may walk the labyrinth in the sanctuary. At 10 a.m. we meet in the center of the labyrinth for Lectio Divina, followed by twenty minutes of Centering Prayer. At the conclusion, we walk the labyrinth silently from the center back out to the gathering room for a second cup of coffee before embracing our Saturday. Contemplative Meditation is suitable for all faiths, and every seeker is welcome to walk with us on their spiritual journey.
First Saturday of each month
St. Edward the Confessor Church
865 N Ferndale Road
Wayzata, MN 55391 (map)
9:30 a.m. – Gathering, Coffee, Conversation
10:00 a.m. – Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, Walking the Labyrinth
St Edward the Confessor Church in Wayzata hosts a Labyrinth Walk and Contemplative Meditation on the first Saturday of each month. Join us at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and conversation. Those who wish may walk the labyrinth in the sanctuary. At 10 a.m. we meet in the center of the labyrinth for Lectio Divina, followed by twenty minutes of Centering Prayer. At the conclusion, we walk the labyrinth silently from the center back out to the gathering room for a second cup of coffee before embracing our Saturday. Contemplative Meditation is suitable for all faiths, and every seeker is welcome to walk with us on their spiritual journey.
St. Scholastica Monastery Center for Spirituality and Enrichment
1001 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811 (map)
The Center for Spirituality and Enrichment is a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota. A variety of programs and retreats are offered throughout the year at both St. Scholastica Monastery and McCabe Renewal Center. Through them, opportunities are provided for spiritual growth, prayerful reflection and personal enrichment for all ages. The Center welcomes members of all faith traditions and human service organizations who promote the well-being and peace of all.
For a complete list of programs, visit the retreat center website at retreatduluth.org.
You can contact the Director of the Center, Dawn Carrillo, at 218-723-6699 or email ([email protected]).
1001 Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811 (map)
The Center for Spirituality and Enrichment is a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota. A variety of programs and retreats are offered throughout the year at both St. Scholastica Monastery and McCabe Renewal Center. Through them, opportunities are provided for spiritual growth, prayerful reflection and personal enrichment for all ages. The Center welcomes members of all faith traditions and human service organizations who promote the well-being and peace of all.
For a complete list of programs, visit the retreat center website at retreatduluth.org.
You can contact the Director of the Center, Dawn Carrillo, at 218-723-6699 or email ([email protected]).
Episcopal House of Prayer
The following enrichment opportunities will be held at the Episcopal House of Prayer in Collegeville, Minnesota (map). For more information, e-mail Stephanie Hart at [email protected], or call 320-363-3293.
Also check the Groups Page for the following meetings facilitated by the Episcopal House of Prayer.
Weekly Contemplative Prayer
Silent prayer in a Christian setting. The format includes simple chanting and two 20-minute sits with a walking meditation between. Anyone with a silent meditative or contemplative practice is welcome.
In-Person Orientation/Introduction, Mondays, 6:00-6:30 p.m.
For those of you who are beginners in Christian Contemplation, we offer guidance and support each Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. prior to our regular practice at 6:30. No advance registration; goodwill offering is appreciated.
In-Person, Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (map)
60 N. Kent St., Saint Paul, MN 55102
To find us, look for the sidewalk sign to find the Monday night Contemplative Prayer Practice.
In-Person, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Episcopal House of Prayer (map)
14215 Fruit Farm Road, Collegeville, MN 56374
Free and open to the public, we sit together in the Oratory. The prayer begins with a simple chant, and we observe two 20-minute periods of silent prayer with a contemplative walk in between, concluding with a simple chant. If you are coming for the first time, we recommend you arrive ten minutes early so we can welcome you and introduce you to the practice and space.
◆◆◆
Online, Wednesdays, 4-4:40 p.m.
https://csbsju.zoom.us/j/644263888
Facilitator: Dr. Christine Luna Munger
For more information, click here.
The following enrichment opportunities will be held at the Episcopal House of Prayer in Collegeville, Minnesota (map). For more information, e-mail Stephanie Hart at [email protected], or call 320-363-3293.
Also check the Groups Page for the following meetings facilitated by the Episcopal House of Prayer.
Weekly Contemplative Prayer
Silent prayer in a Christian setting. The format includes simple chanting and two 20-minute sits with a walking meditation between. Anyone with a silent meditative or contemplative practice is welcome.
In-Person Orientation/Introduction, Mondays, 6:00-6:30 p.m.
For those of you who are beginners in Christian Contemplation, we offer guidance and support each Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. prior to our regular practice at 6:30. No advance registration; goodwill offering is appreciated.
In-Person, Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church (map)
60 N. Kent St., Saint Paul, MN 55102
To find us, look for the sidewalk sign to find the Monday night Contemplative Prayer Practice.
In-Person, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Episcopal House of Prayer (map)
14215 Fruit Farm Road, Collegeville, MN 56374
Free and open to the public, we sit together in the Oratory. The prayer begins with a simple chant, and we observe two 20-minute periods of silent prayer with a contemplative walk in between, concluding with a simple chant. If you are coming for the first time, we recommend you arrive ten minutes early so we can welcome you and introduce you to the practice and space.
◆◆◆
Online, Wednesdays, 4-4:40 p.m.
https://csbsju.zoom.us/j/644263888
Facilitator: Dr. Christine Luna Munger
For more information, click here.
St. Benedict's Monastery
The following enrichment opportunities will be held at the Spirituality Center of St. Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota (map). For more information, e-mail Sister Mary Weidner([email protected]), or call 320-363-8987.
Check the Groups Page for the daily Centering Prayer group that meets Monday thru Friday afternoons at the Spirituality Center.
The following enrichment opportunities will be held at the Spirituality Center of St. Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota (map). For more information, e-mail Sister Mary Weidner([email protected]), or call 320-363-8987.
Check the Groups Page for the daily Centering Prayer group that meets Monday thru Friday afternoons at the Spirituality Center.