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Great gathering
It was wonderful being together
Words Made Flesh: Creating Silent Present Moment Mantras with Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS
Words Made Flesh: Creating Silent Present Moment Mantras with Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS
5.007 reviews
13475 Proctor Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19116, USA
Up to 30 in group
Sep 26, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Brother Mickey McGrath is an artist, author, storyteller, and retreat director who currently lives and works in Camden, NJ. A native of Philadelphia, Brother Mickey has been a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for forty-seven years. After receiving his MFA in Painting from the American University in Washington, DC, he worked as a professor of art at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA. Since 1994, he has been pursuing his ministry of art full time. He has published more than twenty award-winning books. He has just received a First Place Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers and a Second Place Award from the Catholic Media Association for his latest book, Madonnas of Color.
Mickey travels to conferences and retreat centers throughout the United States and Canada in order to share his firm belief that beauty will indeed heal and save our broken world. For the past thirty-three years, Bro. Mickey has taught and worked at the Grunewald Guild, an interfaith art community devoted to the intersections of art and religious faith in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. In recent years, he has offered webinars and taught Graduate Spirituality summer classes at Boston College and the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Over the last ten years, Bro. Mickey has had solo exhibits of his work at St. Ignatius Church in Baltimore; Germantown Mennonite Church in
Philadelphia; the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress at the Anaheim Convention center; Villanova University; Cabrini University in Radnor, PA; the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture in NYC; and the Catholic Information Center of Grand Rapids.
Pope Francis has said that artists are apostles of beauty- and Bro. Mickey takes this ministerial role seriously. Art, one of the great gifts of the Holy Spirit, brings us joy and hope in these very broken and disturbing times in history. His faith and philosophy can be wrapped up in this quote from the patron of his religious community:
We pray best before beauty. St. Francis de Sales
For more information go to www. bromickeymcgrath.com
Details of this retreat
It is more important than ever in these volatile and unsettling times to start our mornings in the peaceful awareness of God’s loving presence in every present moment. Praying with MANTRAS ~ holy words and phrases deeply personal to us ~ are excellent ways to be mindful that God is always, at every moment, alive and well in our hearts and souls.
In this retreat, Brother Mickey will help us give visual form and colorful shape to our morning prayers. Art is a perfect way to get lost in the present moment awareness that we are never alone and that creating beauty is the best way to calm our fears and anxieties.
Don’t watch the news. Don’t text. Don’t talk. Just listen to the silence. The Holy Spirit never, ever leaves us alone.
In this retreat, Brother Mickey will help us give visual form and colorful shape to our morning prayers. Art is a perfect way to get lost in the present moment awareness that we are never alone and that creating beauty is the best way to calm our fears and anxieties.
Don’t watch the news. Don’t text. Don’t talk. Just listen to the silence. The Holy Spirit never, ever leaves us alone.
Schedule
Program is held on Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Cranaleith, 13475 Proctor Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19116, USA
Directions
By Car:
From I-95: Take Woodhaven Road exit (Route 63 WEST) almost to the end, to where it narrows to one lane. Turn left onto Evans Street. At slight, turn right onto Byberry Road for approximately ONE mile to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT and continue for 1/8 mile and Cranaleith will be on the RIGHT. From Roosevelt Boulevard: If coming North, turn LEFT onto Southampton Road (If coming South on Route 1, make a RIGHT on Southampton). Continue on Southampton Road for ONE mile to Worthington Road (stop sign). Turn LEFT on to Worthington Road, continue for ONE block to Napier Street. Turn RIGHT and proceed for THREE blocks to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT onto Proctor Road and then make an immediate RIGHT into Cranaleith’s driveway. From PA Turnpike: Exit at #351 (Bensalem Exit). Go SOUTH on Route 1. Immediately after the Street Road Exit and Andy’s Diner, the lanes divide. Be sure to stay in the far RIGHT lane. When you come to the intersection of Southampton Road, turn RIGHT. Continue on Southampton Road for ONE mile to Worthington Road (stop sign). Turn LEFT onto Worthington Road, continue for ONE block to Napier Street. Turn RIGHT and proceed for THREE blocks to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT onto Proctor Road and then make an immediate RIGHT into Cranaleith’s driveway.
PROBLEM WITH GOOGLE DIRECTIONS: If you are coming from the PA Turnpike, online directions automatically send you onto Street Road/132W after exiting the Turnpike and heading down Route 1 South. Many people mistakenly go East on Street Road. And others miss the subsequent Trevose Road turn because it isn’t properly marked. It’s much easier to avoid Street Road by staying on 1 South (in the right-hand lane) until Southampton Road, where you make a right. Then make a left on Worthington, a right on Napier and a right on Proctor.
By Train:
From the city (University City, 30th St. Station, Suburban Station, Market East, etc.), take the West Trenton commuter train to SOMERTON. From the station walk LEFT on Edison Avenue for two blocks. Crossover Trevose Road and then RIGHT onto Proctor Road. Cranaleith will be on the LEFT. Transportation from the station may be arranged.
By Bus:
From the Frankford Terminal, take No. 58 bus up Bustleton Ave. to Byberry Road. Walk EAST on Byberry Road for two blocks to Proctor Road. Turn LEFT onto Proctor Road and proceed for 1/8 mile. Cranaleith will be on the RIGHT.
By Plane:
From Philadelphia International Airport, take the airport train to 30th Street Station, and transfer to the R3 — West Trenton Commuter Train to SOMERTON. From the station walk LEFT on Edison Avenue for two blocks. Crossover Trevose Road and then RIGHT onto Proctor Road. Cranaleith will be on the LEFT. Transportation from the station may be arranged.
From I-95: Take Woodhaven Road exit (Route 63 WEST) almost to the end, to where it narrows to one lane. Turn left onto Evans Street. At slight, turn right onto Byberry Road for approximately ONE mile to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT and continue for 1/8 mile and Cranaleith will be on the RIGHT. From Roosevelt Boulevard: If coming North, turn LEFT onto Southampton Road (If coming South on Route 1, make a RIGHT on Southampton). Continue on Southampton Road for ONE mile to Worthington Road (stop sign). Turn LEFT on to Worthington Road, continue for ONE block to Napier Street. Turn RIGHT and proceed for THREE blocks to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT onto Proctor Road and then make an immediate RIGHT into Cranaleith’s driveway. From PA Turnpike: Exit at #351 (Bensalem Exit). Go SOUTH on Route 1. Immediately after the Street Road Exit and Andy’s Diner, the lanes divide. Be sure to stay in the far RIGHT lane. When you come to the intersection of Southampton Road, turn RIGHT. Continue on Southampton Road for ONE mile to Worthington Road (stop sign). Turn LEFT onto Worthington Road, continue for ONE block to Napier Street. Turn RIGHT and proceed for THREE blocks to Proctor Road. Turn RIGHT onto Proctor Road and then make an immediate RIGHT into Cranaleith’s driveway.
PROBLEM WITH GOOGLE DIRECTIONS: If you are coming from the PA Turnpike, online directions automatically send you onto Street Road/132W after exiting the Turnpike and heading down Route 1 South. Many people mistakenly go East on Street Road. And others miss the subsequent Trevose Road turn because it isn’t properly marked. It’s much easier to avoid Street Road by staying on 1 South (in the right-hand lane) until Southampton Road, where you make a right. Then make a left on Worthington, a right on Napier and a right on Proctor.
By Train:
From the city (University City, 30th St. Station, Suburban Station, Market East, etc.), take the West Trenton commuter train to SOMERTON. From the station walk LEFT on Edison Avenue for two blocks. Crossover Trevose Road and then RIGHT onto Proctor Road. Cranaleith will be on the LEFT. Transportation from the station may be arranged.
By Bus:
From the Frankford Terminal, take No. 58 bus up Bustleton Ave. to Byberry Road. Walk EAST on Byberry Road for two blocks to Proctor Road. Turn LEFT onto Proctor Road and proceed for 1/8 mile. Cranaleith will be on the RIGHT.
By Plane:
From Philadelphia International Airport, take the airport train to 30th Street Station, and transfer to the R3 — West Trenton Commuter Train to SOMERTON. From the station walk LEFT on Edison Avenue for two blocks. Crossover Trevose Road and then RIGHT onto Proctor Road. Cranaleith will be on the LEFT. Transportation from the station may be arranged.
Accommodation
Enjoy a peaceful stay in our historic main house, Mill-Rae, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Private and shared rooms are available, each with a beautiful view of Cranaleith's gardens and grounds. Those in search of humble yet comfortable accommodations will also enjoy the Carriage House. Both buildings offer kitchenettes and cozy living spaces.
Program Price
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Gather for your next spiritual program or retreat in the cozy McAuley Room (15 guests), convenient Board Room (12guests) or the Conference Room (60 guests). Enjoy a meal in the Cranaleith dining room, (60 guests), or relax on the outdoor patio with pond views.
Meals
No meals are provided.
What's Included
- Program runs from 10 am - 3 pm
What's Not Included
- Lunch is included in this program.
Customer Reviews
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Cranaleith is my very favorite place to go for retreats. The facility is peaceful and the staff are excellent. Meals are generous and delightful. A great experience all around.
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I've been bringing groups of students to Cranaleith for retreats for over 10 years now....and we will keep coming back! The staff is always so welcoming, the food nourishes my body and soul, and as soon as I step foot on the grounds I feel at peace. I highly recommend Cranaleith for their own retreat offerings and programs, as well as, a place to bring your work or school group to!
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This was my second 7 day retreat at Cranaleith, in addition to ongoing individual spiritual direction since 2014. I recommend the sisters at Cranaleith for their compassionate and insightful direction. If you are looking to spend time in the serenity of God and nature, it is a worthy destination.
