Spring 2026 Oblate Retreat - Seeing Hope: A Morning with The Saint John’s Bible
Spring 2026 Oblate Retreat - Seeing Hope: A Morning with The Saint John’s Bible
2675 Benet Rd, Saint Paul, MN, USA
March 7, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- retreats, spiritual direction, conferencing
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Eamon Cavanaugh is the Assistant Curator of The Saint John’s Bible at Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Eamon graduated with a history major from Saint John’s University in 2025 where he also worked for two years as a student intern for the Bible project. During that time, Eamon led tours and presentations of the Bible to visiting groups, co-curated two exhibitions in the Bible Gallery, and created a programming series that engaged students at the University in conversations about scriptures through the illuminations in The Saint John’s Bible.
As Assistant Curator, Eamon will join Curator Tim Ternes in caring for the original bifolia and leading on and off campus events for The Saint John’s Bible. He will also undertake the extensive project of organizing the archives of the Bible Project with the goal of making them accessible to the public. As a historian interested in public history, Eamon will be looking for new ways to present the Bible as a project of local and international significance, not just for its rarity in the modern world, but for its enduring impact on culture and society.
Details of this retreat
How do you see hope? How does hope appear in the Bible? How does hope change the way we live? Every day we are bombarded with more reasons to lose hope; that’s why we must look for hope even in the most unlikely places…
The Saint John’s Bible is a stunning work of art; the first hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in the past 500 years. In a fast-paced, mass-produced world, take a step back to explore this handmade treasure with Assistant Curator of The Saint John’s Bible, Eamon Cavanaugh. Come hear the incredible story of how such a feat was pulled off, from the inspiration behind the commission to the materials and tools used to turn the pages into works of art. We will also spend time in conversation using the original illuminations to find how this modern manuscript offers us hope in a world needing it.
Our presenter is Eamon Cavanaugh, the Assistant Curator of The Saint John’s Bible at Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota.
Details:
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Location: Paul’s Monastery (due to the nature of the presentation, no virtual option).
Cost: $30
Schedule:
Saturday, March 7
8:00-8:30 – Morning Prayer with the Benedictine Community
8:30-9:00 – Registration/Check-In and Gathering Time
8:40-9:00 – Recognition and Gratitude to Ann Siverling
9:00-9:15 – Welcome and Opening Prayer
9:15-10:00 – Introductory session in Riepp Room
10:00-10:15 – Break
10:15-11:15 – Break-out session in dining area
11:30-12:00 – Midday Prayer in Chapel
12:00 – Q&A + Debrief in Chapel
For anyone who is interested, we will be going to Mac’s Diner for lunch. All are welcome to join!
Due to the fire in the monastery kitchen, we have had to revise the schedule and the plan for our spring retreat. Below are the changes:
There will be NO FRIDAY night session.
We discourage anyone staying overnight Friday night since there is no food service.
There will be NO lunch AT the monastery on Saturday, but all oblates are invited to go to Mac's Diner together after the retreat to continue our time together
We want to make as few dirty dishes for the sisters to deal with while their kitchen is under construction. So, please bring along your own beverage closed container for your coffee, tea, or water.
Thank you for your understanding with these changes.
The Saint John’s Bible is a stunning work of art; the first hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in the past 500 years. In a fast-paced, mass-produced world, take a step back to explore this handmade treasure with Assistant Curator of The Saint John’s Bible, Eamon Cavanaugh. Come hear the incredible story of how such a feat was pulled off, from the inspiration behind the commission to the materials and tools used to turn the pages into works of art. We will also spend time in conversation using the original illuminations to find how this modern manuscript offers us hope in a world needing it.
Our presenter is Eamon Cavanaugh, the Assistant Curator of The Saint John’s Bible at Saint John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota.
Details:
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Location: Paul’s Monastery (due to the nature of the presentation, no virtual option).
Cost: $30
Schedule:
Saturday, March 7
8:00-8:30 – Morning Prayer with the Benedictine Community
8:30-9:00 – Registration/Check-In and Gathering Time
8:40-9:00 – Recognition and Gratitude to Ann Siverling
9:00-9:15 – Welcome and Opening Prayer
9:15-10:00 – Introductory session in Riepp Room
10:00-10:15 – Break
10:15-11:15 – Break-out session in dining area
11:30-12:00 – Midday Prayer in Chapel
12:00 – Q&A + Debrief in Chapel
For anyone who is interested, we will be going to Mac’s Diner for lunch. All are welcome to join!
Due to the fire in the monastery kitchen, we have had to revise the schedule and the plan for our spring retreat. Below are the changes:
There will be NO FRIDAY night session.
We discourage anyone staying overnight Friday night since there is no food service.
There will be NO lunch AT the monastery on Saturday, but all oblates are invited to go to Mac's Diner together after the retreat to continue our time together
We want to make as few dirty dishes for the sisters to deal with while their kitchen is under construction. So, please bring along your own beverage closed container for your coffee, tea, or water.
Thank you for your understanding with these changes.
Schedule
prayer, meals, workshops
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Benedictine Center of St. Paul's Monastery, 2675 Benet Rd, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Directions
There are many buildings near the corner of Larpenteur and Century Avenues. Events and retreats are hosted at St. Paul's Monastery. Please be sure to check your destination is set to St. Paul's Monastery, 2675 Benet Rd, St. Paul, MN 55109. Call 651.777.8181 for assistance.
Directions
From I-94
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go North 3 miles to Larpenteur Avenue.
Turn left. Monastery Way is the first right. Go straight to get to St. Paul's Monastery.
From I-694
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go South 4 miles to Benet Road, just before the light at Larpenteur Avenue.
Turn right. St. Paul's Monastery is visible on the right.
From Hwy 36
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go South about 2 miles to Benet Road.
Turn right. St. Paul's Monastery is on the right.
Directions
From I-94
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go North 3 miles to Larpenteur Avenue.
Turn left. Monastery Way is the first right. Go straight to get to St. Paul's Monastery.
From I-694
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go South 4 miles to Benet Road, just before the light at Larpenteur Avenue.
Turn right. St. Paul's Monastery is visible on the right.
From Hwy 36
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go South about 2 miles to Benet Road.
Turn right. St. Paul's Monastery is on the right.
Accommodation
Program Price
What's Included
- meals
What's Not Included
- travel
Last Chance