BENEDICTINE RETREAT CENTER
Prayer and Meditation

hearing the voice of God in one's life

Guests are welcome to join the monastic community for daily prayer

from the current exhibit

The Art of Forgiveness: Images of the Prodigal Son

by Fritz Eichenberg

Click on the title to view description

Click on Calendar to browse by month

Apr
28   Men's Contemplative Spirituality Group
May
18   Taizé Prayer
19   The Welcoming Prayer: Attending to What Is
28   Men's Contemplative Spirituality Group
Jun
15   Taizé Prayer
22   School of Lectio Reunion
25   Men's Contemplative Spirituality Group
Jul
6 11 School of Lectio Divina (with S. Meg Funk OSB)
20   Taizé Prayer
23   Men's Contemplative Spirituality Group
26   Creating and Holding a Space: Insights from Group Spiritual Direction
27 29 Lectio Pilgrimage to Saint John's Abbey
Aug
17   Taizé Day of Reflection
17   Taizé Prayer
17   Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina Retreat
27   Men's Contemplative Spirituality Group
           

For more information or to register

Email the Benedictine Center or call 651.777.7251

Registering last minute?

While we welcome walk-ins, it is always wise to call 651.777.8181

to insure that an event has not been filled or cancelled.

[ back to top ]


Monthly Prayer

Taizé Prayer

Monastic Community No charge

7–8p (Third Friday of each month)

Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures and periods of silence to create an environment for encountering the mystery of God. This hour of quiet, gentle communal prayer can help dispel the accumulated burdens of the week and free one for the renewal of a weekend. No registration necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

The Taizé community is an international and ecumenical community founded in 1940 by Brother Roger in France. Click here for a video introduction.

[ back to top ]

Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group

David Sagula Free Will Offering

7–9p (Fourth Monday of each month)

This is a monthly on-going support group for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. Regular and occasional participants alike describe the evening as a comfortable place to dig deep with other men. The evening begins with Scripture and silent prayer, then introductions and conversation about men's spirituality and personal experience. The evening concludes with silent prayer. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary, just an openness to its possibilities. Walk-ins are welcome.

[ back to top ]

 

Daily Prayer

Come and Pray

Guests are welcome between 7:30a and 8:30p each day (Saturdays 8:30a-8:30p) to make use of the Meditation Chapel or public spaces for private prayer. Guests are welcome to join the monastic community for the liturgy of the hours. See the daily prayer schedule for details.

Lectio Divina

“Divine Reading” or “Praying with Scripture” is a way of responding to God’s invitation and entering into the Word of God with a listening ear. Through slow readings and silence, one is open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Michael Casey descibes Lectio Divina as a 'means of setting aside the superficial to reach the heart of reality' in his book Sacred Reading.

Weekly Prayer

Centering Prayer

When words and activity become too much, it is time for quiet in the arms of God. Centering Prayer teaches a person how to respond to God’s invitation to deeper relationship through contemplative stillness. Its roots are within the Christian heritage as taught by the Desert Fathers and Mothers and shared at the Benedictine Center through the work of Minnesota Contemplative Outreach. A regular centering prayer group meets on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:20a. Contact Sr. Virginia Matter for more details.

Pray with the Labyrinth

An outdoor labyrinth on the west side of the Monastery is open to the public. A hand made finger labyrinth is also available in the chapel. Since the middle ages many Christians have used the labyrinth as a way to draw closer to God in the journey of life.

[ back to top ]

MAY

Taizé Prayer

Fri., May 18, 7-8p

Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures and periods of silence to create an environment for encountering the mystery of God. Walk-ins welcome.

[ back to top ]

The Welcoming Prayer: Attending to What Is

Meredith Schifsky

Sat., May 19, 9a-3:30p

$45

The Welcoming Prayer is a practice of “letting go” in the present moments of daily life. The ordinary routines of daily life present emotional challenges that drain the reservoir of interior silence that we establish through a regular practice of contemplative prayer. The Welcoming Prayer practice helps us respond instead of react when we meet such challenges. Participants will learn and practice “letting go” and letting the Spirit work in the present moment, becoming less conflicted by anxieties, fears, anger and other afflictive emotions. Supports other forms of prayer, including lectio divina, centering prayer, and more. Register online.

[ back to top ]

Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group

Mon., May 28, 7-9p

Freewill Offering

This time of prayer and conversation is for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. The evening includes time with Scripture and silent prayer, as well as dialogue about men’s spirituality and personal experience. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

[ back to top ]

JUNE

iLLUMINARE Ministry Renewal Day

Fri., Jun. 8, 9:30a-3p

$30 includes lunch and materials
iLLUMINARE Ministry Renewal Days are ecumenical days of reflection for full-time and volunteer ministers (lay and ordained) that draw on Scripture and the wisdom of the Christian tradition to reflect on as they illuminate the practice of ministry. The days include theological reflection, lectio divina, time for personal prayer and reflection, brief presentations, and conversation with other ministers. Guests new to iLLUMINARE are welcome. Register online.

[ back to top ]

Taizé Prayer

Fri., Jun. 15, 7-8p

Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures and periods of silence to create an environment for encountering the mystery of God. Walk-ins welcome.

[ back to top ]

School of Lectio Reunion

S. Virginia Matter OSB and S. Carol Rennie OSB

Fri., Jun. 22, 7p to Sun., Jun. 24, 1p

$125

A time for alums of any School of Lectio Divina to renew their practice and be refreshed by the rhythm of prayer, quiet, and conversation at St. Paul’s Monastery. Register online.

[ back to top ]

Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group

Mon., Jun. 25, 7-9p

Freewill Offering

This time of prayer and conversation is for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. The evening includes time with Scripture and silent prayer, as well as dialogue about men’s spirituality and personal experience. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

[ back to top ]

JULY

2012A School of Lectio Divina

S. Meg Funk OSB

Fri., Jul. 6, 1p to Wed., Jul. 11, 1p

$700

The Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery is offering the School of Lectio Divina to adapt the ancient monastic riches of sustained lectio divina to contemporary people. Through an intensive retreat experience set in the rhythm of life at St. Paul’s Monastery, participants receive teaching about lectio, spend time meditating on a sacred text significant for them, have the opportunity for individual spiritual direction, and participate in reflective conversation with other participants. In addition, the Center will provide a variety of on-going support activities and resources after the retreat participants make sustained lectio core to individual prayer and spiritual development. Limit 15. Download materials below or email benedictinecenter@stpaulsmonastery.org.

Click here for a description of the School of Lectio Divina.

Click here for a PDF copy of the application form.  

Click here for a Word copy of the application form.

[ back to top ]


Taizé Prayer

Fri., Jul. 20, 7-8p

Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures and periods of silence to create an environment for encountering the mystery of God. Walk-ins welcome.

[ back to top ]

Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group

Mon., Jul. 23, 7-9p

Freewill Offering

This time of prayer and conversation is for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. The evening includes time with Scripture and silent prayer, as well as dialogue about men’s spirituality and personal experience. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

[ back to top ]

Creating and Holding A Space: Insights from Group Spiritual Direction

S. Carol Rennie OSB

Thu., Jul. 26, 9a-1p

$30

S. Carol Rennie OSB is committed to and experienced in drawing others into conversation that helps each person become more attentive to the movements of God. Participants in this session will gain insights into creating and holding a space for meaningful conversation. Ideal for those working with small groups, group spiritual direction, and other more intentional conversations around the spiritual life. Includes lunch. Register online.

[ back to top ]

Lectio Pilgrimage to Saint John’s Abbey

S. Carol Rennie OSB

Fri., Jul. 27, 7p to Sun., Jul. 29, 2p

$250

The retreat begins at St. Paul’s Monastery with an introduction to key texts that have been brilliantly illuminated in The Saint John’s Bible. The next day, retreatants travel to Saint John’s Abbey where they will continue their meditation on the texts with the original illuminations. After spending the night at the Abbey Guesthouse, they return to the monastery for Eucharist and brunch. Participation limited by accommodations; shared lodging welcomed, but not necessary. Registration deadline Jun. 30. Register online.

[ back to top ]

AUGUST

iLLUMINARE Ministry Renewal Day

Fri., Aug. 10, 9:30a-3p

$30 includes lunch and materials
iLLUMINARE Ministry Renewal Days are ecumenical days of reflection for full-time and volunteer ministers (lay and ordained) that draw on Scripture and the wisdom of the Christian tradition to reflect on as they illuminate the practice of ministry. The days include theological reflection, lectio divina, time for personal prayer and reflection, brief presentations, and conversation with other ministers. Guests new to iLLUMINARE are welcome.
Register online.

[ back to top ]

Taizé Day of Reflection

S. Carol Rennie OSB

Fri., Aug. 17, 10a-8p

$40

A time of reflection flowing into the celebration of Taizé prayer. This month’s reflection explores the universal, contemporary, and timeless nature of the psalms. They are treasured songs of the heart. Register online.

[ back to top ]

Taizé Prayer

Fri., Aug. 17, 7-8p

Taizé prayer uses simple chants based on the Scriptures and periods of silence to create an environment for encountering the mystery of God. Walk-ins welcome.

[ back to top ]

Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina Retreat

S. Virginia Matter OSB

Fri., Aug. 17, 7p to Wed., Aug. 22, 1p

$375 includes lodging and meals; $180 thru Sunday only

Experience a time of profound silence and praying the Scriptures as you enter into deeper relationship with God and self. Blends a rhythm of centering prayer, lectio divina, and prayer with the monastic community. $180 through Sunday only. Register online.

[ back to top ]

Men’s Contemplative Spirituality Group

Mon., Aug. 27, 7-9p

Freewill Offering

This time of prayer and conversation is for men seeking to integrate contemplative spirituality into their active lives. The evening includes time with Scripture and silent prayer, as well as dialogue about men’s spirituality and personal experience. No experience with contemplative prayer is necessary. Walk-ins welcome.

[ back to top ]


For more information or to register

Email the Benedictine Center or call 651.777.7251

St. Paul's Monastery | 2675 Benet Road | St. Paul, Minnesota 55109 | 651-777-8181 | info@stpaulsmonastery.org
Copyright ©2004 St. Paul's Monastery | All Rights Reserved | Site design by Schletty Design
Calendar Daily Monastic Schedule Site Map Home