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The Shadow and Love: Healing our relationships to self, others and God

Location icon
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA
Date
October 30 - November 1, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Encountering the shadow may lead us into a whole new identity willing and able to make freer decisions. Without shadow work, prayer and grace we may get stuck repeating destructive patterns of self-loathing, incapacity for intimacy and rigid false images of God. The shadow we fear may be the gateway to transformation.

 
Discover the light hidden in your darkness. Each of us carries within a shadow—a part of ourselves we often avoid, deny, or fear to confront. Yet it is precisely here, in the depths of our unacknowledged wounds and desires, that the Spirit waits to meet us. In this retreat, Br. Don Bisson will guide participants into a profound and compassionate exploration of the shadow self as a path toward wholeness and inner freedom.
Encountering the shadow may open us to an entirely new sense of identity—one that is grounded, authentic, and capable of making freer, more life-giving choices. Without shadow work integration, and without the grounding of prayer and grace, we risk repeating destructive patterns of self-loathing, incapacity for intimacy and rigid false images of God - old patterns that limit our capacity for love. The shadow we fear may be the gateway to transformation
Through teachings, guided reflection, and prayerful silence, participants will learn that the shadow we fear may, in truth, be the threshold where divine mercy leads us into an ever-deepening encounter with love.

Getting Here

Location icon Genesis Spiritual Center, 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA, USA

Accommodation

Program Price - Single Occupancy
Program Price - Double Occupancy (Requires Two People)
Program Price - Weekend Commuter

Customer Reviews

4.88 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Grateful
Betty didn’t disappoint. She was witty, full of energy, her words were inspirational and the exercises were transformative.

The food was wonderful. Thank you for providing gluten and dairy free meals.

5.0
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Embracing Change: A Weekend-Retreat for Women in Recovery
Embracing Change: A Weekend-Retreat for Women in Recovery at Genesis Spiritual Center: Just home from a wonderful weekend with a fabulous retreat leader and 30 beautiful loving women. The retreat center is clean, quiet, and comfortable - a peaceful oasis. Everyone who works at the center was kind and helpful. The *food* is delicious. All in all, this was an absolutely wonderful place to step back from the business of life, to rest, renew and learn.

5.0
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Amazing staff and food
Wonderful place for a retreat. The staff are top notch.

5.0
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Very peaceful
I’ve been on many retreats this one at the Genesis center by far was one of the best ones I’ve been on. They had everything you could need and the food was outstanding. I will definitely come back here again.

5.0
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6 day directed retreat
I have been going to Genesis since 1980. As usual, my experience was wonderful. Sr. Nancy is extremely wise and caring. I love being with her. It's also great to have liturgy twice during the week. The house is very comfortable, warm when it needs to be and very cool when necessary. The schedule and the food is great. I have no complaints. Please God I will return next summer.
Sr.Christine Lavoie

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