Programs

One-Day Personal Retreat

Open Dates
The Priory Spirituality Center

We also offer day retreats.  You will have a room to stay in and access to the Library, Center kitchen, and walking trails. Lunch is provided at no extra charge.

Meeting Space

Open Dates
The Priory Spirituality Center

Our conference rooms are available to 501(c)(3) non-profit groups such as government, school, and church groups. We are available for daytime group use Monday through Saturday. Our monastic grounds are quiet, peaceful and green with trees and other plants. Since January 2007, our monastic grounds have been smoke-free; you’ll enjoy breathing our fresh air. We […]

Spiritual Direction

Open Dates
The Priory Spirituality Center

Spiritual Direction is a way of extending a"sustaining, welcoming environment: within a one-on-one relationship. It is a dynamic process where one can listen to self in order to reflect on life's questions in light of our Gospel call. Sessions typically last one hour. Multiple sessions can be scheduled. Read about our […]

Gift Certificate

Open Dates

A gift purchased for someone you would like to bless with a retreat, program or spiritual direction.  Several options, listed at right, are available.  Contact the Center for more information. 360-438-2595

Private Overnight Retreat

Flexible Dates
The Priory Spirituality Center

 Spiritual Direction is available for an added cost. We […]

Lunch and dinner are also available for an added cost.

Spiritual Direction Certificate Program: Application

With Mary Pandiani, D. Min., MA, C.S.D and Monika Ellis, OSB, MA, Education

January 1 - May 9, 2025

Spiritual Direction Certificate Program: Listening with the Spirit (LWS) - a two year Online Spiritual Direction training program Application & Interview  A non-refundable $100 application/interview fee is submitted with your application materials and spiritual autobiography before the interview. The application materials and spiritual autobiography will be the substance of the interview. This fee is different […]

Hybrid: Jesus in Nature: Monastic Images of an Earthy Christ

With Samuel Torvend

April 26, 2025
The Priory Spirituality Center

The call to care for our common home, the earth, invites Christians to consider the image of Jesus who was and is among us – in, with, and through nature’s seasons. In this retreat, participants will consider the work of Benedict of Nursia, the Venerable Bede, Walafrid Strabo, and Hildegard of Bingen – Benedictines whose […]

Sacred Sisterhood: Celebrating and Nurturing the Spiritual gift of Friendship

With Laree Winer

May 3, 2025
The Priory Spirituality Center

This retreat, inspired by Joan Chittister's The Friendship of Women, offers a unique opportunity for women to explore sacred bonds and deepen friendships through spiritual practices, meaningful discussions, and creative activities.  Adult women of any age, friends could come together, mothers and daughters, sisters, and cousins all might like to attend. Your facilitator will share […]

Hybrid: Contemplative Rest Practice on First Saturdays Monthly

With M Freeman

May 3, 2025

This Contemplative Rest Practice series is open to those who have taken a Contemplative Rest retreat with M Freeman. Each session offers opportunities for awe-savoring, somatic, guided meditations by M and silent resting-in-awe practice together as well as gentle time for group sharing, connecting, and cherishing the transporting benefit of communal contemplative practice. “All living […]

Spring P.A.U.S.E. retreat: Christian Contemplative Prayer and Soul Care

With Kathy Holley, PhD

May 16 - 17, 2025
The Priory Spirituality Center

About our 4 Seasonal P.A.U.S.E. Retreats (P.A.U.S.E.­—­Prayer and Understanding Silent Experiences) We warmly invite you to our 4 seasons of P.A.U.S.E. retreats—sacred opportunities to appreciate the seasons, rest, reflect, and nurture your connection with God. These retreats center on Christian contemplative prayer, offering space for spiritual formation, soul care, holistic healing, and deepening faith. Guided […]

Daily Life as Spiritual Practice - A Day Apart

With Monty Smith and Jerry DeVore

May 24, 2025
The Priory Spirituality Center

We, our planet, every one and everything on it, are feeling the distress of our times - a poly-crises. In this, many of us aren’t sure how to create positive impact in our communities , let alone skillfully pray and care for ourselves and our families. In this day apart we will visit ancient practices […]

Mindful Eating as a Christian Practice

With Rosemarie Oliver, OblSB

May 30 - June 1, 2025
The Priory Spirituality Center

As Christians, we meet God, the source of Love, in the Now. This three days Mindfulness retreat involves paying attention in the present moment without judgment and with self-compassion. A practice of mindful eating can increase our sense of the divine indwelling throughout our day. It can also help us access the inner wisdom of […]

Forest Therapy --Spring/Summer

With Kathy Holley, -PhD

June 28, 2025
The Priory Spirituality Center

Forest Therapy walks at St. Placid Priory “The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye...” (Genesis 2: 9a) About Our 4 Seasonal Forest Therapy Walks (also known as Forest Bathing or Shinrin-yoku) We invite you to experience the natural beauty of God’s […]

Hybrid- When the Heart Is Touched: The Ancient Monastic Method of Lectio Divina

With Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB

July 5, 2025

In this workshop we will explore and practice the method of Lectio Divina as practiced by the desert Fathers and Mothers and monastics throughout the centuries. The emphasis will be on individual, rather than group, practice. Our time together will include short presentations by the facilitator, times for solitary, individual lectio practice and a time […]

God the Artist - We the Co-Creators

With Walter Siegl and Sonja Weber, OSB

July 12, 2025

God is the creator of everything. He is the artist par excellence. This retreat will stimulate our creative souls. We will focus on our Potter God and use clay materials. All our creations will be formed by hand, and a slab roller may be used. We will meet at The Priory Spirituality Center at 9 […]

Hybrid: The Sacred Line

With Monika Ellis, OSB

August 16, 2025
St Placid Spirituality Center

Lines – short or long, wide or narrow, are all around us. Once we become aware of the lines in our lives we will see them everywhere. They are sacred.  We will explore lines of many shapes that when put together make beautiful images.  Our world at this time needs the power of beauty to […]

Zoom: Prayer Practices Certification Program 2025-2026

With St. Placid Sisters

September 1, 2025 - August 3, 2026

Prayer Practices is a 2 years (20 sessions -40 hours) certificate program to explore a wide variety of ways to approach a prayerful life. You will  learn to connect with the sacred in diverse ways in order to help guide others. If you are a spiritual director, pastor, counselor or work in a ministry, different […]

Oasis 2025-2026

With Paz Vital, OSB, PhD, Monika Ellis, OSB, MA, Education, Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB, Sonja Weber, OSB, Laura Swan, OSB and Julian Cleary OSB

September 18, 2025 - March 20, 2026

Do you yearn for rest, prayer and nurturing in your busy schedule? What would your life look like if you gave yourself or/& to a beloved one two retreat opportunities at the Center, plus six quiet afternoons during the year? Silence, spiritual direction and Lectio Divina are available to aid your reflection. Every Third Thursday […]