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Listen Deeply - Wisdom Speaks to the Heart

Location icon
500 College Street Northeast, Lacey, WA, USA
Date
January 14, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Participants will dive into the art of prayerful listening by engaging perspectives and practices grounded in contemplative Christian spirituality.
  • The workshop will include periods of instruction, contemplative practice, storytelling, group sharing and reflection.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

“Angelic music is endlessly pouring down from heaven, are you in a state to listen?“ — Rumi
In a world of noise and distraction, it can be hard to listen. Left drifting in the chaos, we risk losing our way and our very soul.
Yet we can regain our footing by turning to the wisdom of St. Benedict who counsels us to “Listen carefully...and with the ears of the heart.” This isn’t always easy, but it’s within our power. It’s a spiritual discipline we all can grow in through practice.
In this workshop we will explore principles and practices that will allow us to listen deeply. By learning to listen more deeply, we grow in understanding of ourselves and one another. By listening more deeply to God's word—the words of Gospel, the words of mystics, the word found in Nature, the word spoken by others in our lives, and the "word" resounding in the depths of our hearts—we become transformed. Really, we become more human.
This workshop is for those who are seeking clarity about God’s will in their lives, those who desire a deeper connection with God, and those who want to learn more about contemplative spirituality.
All are welcome—persons of all faiths or no faith tradition. Come and join us. Embrace the art of deep, prayerful listening.
To learn more about William, visit towardnewheights.com. You can also find him on Facebook or Instagram at Toward New Heights.

Getting Here

Location icon St. Placid Priory, 500 College Street Northeast, Lacey, WA, USA

Directions

Traveling north from Portland, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn left onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at second light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Traveling south from Seattle, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn right onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at the light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Accommodation

We have ten retreat bedrooms, most of which are equipped with two twin beds. The rooms may be shared if you are coming with a friend or partner, but generally there is just one person per room. Our building is set back among the trees so the rooms stay fairly cool. There is heat in each room for the colder nights. Each room has a sink, mirror, chair, desk, and small closet area. Towels and linens are provided, but please bring your own toiletries. Bathrooms are shared and showers are available. Retreatants are welcome to join the Sisters for Mass, Praise, and meals. There is wi-fi available in the Priory Library from 8:30am-8:00pm everyday. The Priory Store is also open on Fridays and Saturdays. Plenty of walking trails wind around the Priory's property and are open to retreatants. Spiritual Direction is available upon request at an additional charge.

Program Price

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The Priory Spirituality Center is an ecumenical Christian ministry that encourages those of all faiths to discern the voice of God in their lives and in the world. A ministry of St. Placid Priory we reflect Benedictine values: peace, hospitality, community, learning and prayerful discernment.

We offer a peaceful and contemplative setting for personal reflection. We encourage and challenge people to know the presence of God in their lives through classes, workshops, retreats and individual spir

Meals

Menu Types

On-your-own breakfast: Center Kitchen. Eggs, milk, bread, cereal, fruit provided. Your own food welcome, may be cooked in Kitchen. Lunch/Dinner served, main dish+salad bar. Sun coffee hour after Mass

Customer Reviews

4.86 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Pause Retreat
What a beautiful day! We spent time in contemplative prayer together, we forest bathed amongst the trees, we had a wonderful lunch with the Sisters, we shopped in the priory bookstore, and we listened to wisdom on all the many benefits of engaging in centering prayer. The retreat exceeded my expectations. It was everything I needed to start the season calm, rested and at peace.

5.0
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Beautiful Retreat Venue
I relaxed completely in this beautiful retreat space. The meals provided were delicious and nutritious. I enjoyed staying in the simple, basic rooms and slept well.

5.0
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Great spiritual experience!.
Thank you for this great space of peace and tranquility. Life today can be so hectic and stressful. I am glad I decided to step outside my comfort zone to attend your Silent Retreat. I felt at peace the moment I drove onto campus. The residence and room were very clean and comfortable. The weekend's Silent Centering Prayer schedule was very well planned. I love worshipping with the Sisters in chapel and in 20 minutes sit in silence with my fellow retreat participants. Retreat schedule also included Rest and Recreation time to walk around on campus and enjoy nature or just stay in my room to read/relax. The meals were delicious. The weekend ended with attending mass with the Sisters and the community. I am not Catholic, but I felt welcomed and comfortable attending mass. I am definitely planning to attend again! Thank you!

5.0
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Perfect Place to Contemplate God
Dear St. Placid Priory, I just wanted to thank you again for allowing me to stay at the St. Placid Visitor Center while I attended a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation training in Olympia. Janice and Val were so welcoming and made me feel right at home. The minute I stepped onto the Priory property, I could feel the quiet, contemplative spirit of the Sisters. The Priory is beautiful and the Visitor Center was just as beautiful. My room was lovely, with handmade quilts on each bed and a cozy rocking chair. My bed was very comfortable and I loved that I had my own sink and mirror right in my room. My room also had a desk which I used every night to do my homework. As the week went on, I met other retreatants who were also so kind and generous. I was allowed to use the community kitchen which had a full oven, microwave and refrigerator so I was able to make my own lunches and dinner each day. Though, I didn't have an opportunity to eat with the Sisters because my classes ended too late, I did hear from other retreatants how delicious the food is at St. Placid. I would definitely recommend staying at St. Placid if you are looking for a calm, quiet, contemplative atmosphere. It was exactly what I had hoped for. Thank you, Sisters for your loving embrace of me and my CGS course. I will always remember you in my prayers. Mary Pat Heelan, Worcester, MA

5.0
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First Visit
This was my first visit to St Placid Priory and I found the experience a wonderful retreat. It gave me a chance to get some much needed respite. The sisters were very kind, the rooms very nice, and the food was delicious and the grounds are also very nice . I would recommend it to anyone wanted some quiet time.