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BEYOND the WALLS: Entering Creation’s Cathedral
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BEYOND the WALLS: Entering Creation’s Cathedral

4.86284 reviews
Location icon
500 College Street Northeast, Olympia, WA, USA
Date
June 6, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

BEYOND the WALLS: Entering Creation’s Cathedral

A Contemplative Retreat for Rest, Prayer, and Renewal

 Nestled in the quiet beauty of nature at St. Placid priory, Beyond the Walls: Entering Creation’s Cathedral invites you to step away from the noise of daily life and enter a space of stillness in nature. Surrounded by trees and open air, you’ll be gently guided into a healing rhythm of rest, reflection, and renewal for body, mind, and spirit. Rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, this retreat offers a sacred approach to holistic wellness: one that flows from experiencing quiet presence with God. The retreat creates space for silent prayer, contemplative listening, journaling, and a renewed awareness of rest and well-being in God’s presence.

Through simple, grounding practices, such as contemplative prayer, scripture meditation, and an unhurried stillness, you’ll be invited to release stress, quiet your mind, and receive deep, restorative rest. This is not a time of striving, but of slowing down and being present with God. Whether you long for peace, clarity, or spiritual renewal, this morning retreat offers a sacred pause to reconnect, be refreshed, and gently renew your whole being.

Our time will be spent outdoors under the cover of the trees. You will also have time to find your own quiet space in nature for rest and reflection. Indoor space will also be available during your own time, if you prefer. Please dress comfortably and consider bringing a cozy blanket if you like. You are welcome to bring your own chair, or the priory benches will also be available. In the case of challenging, inclement weather, the retreat will be held indoors.

You are also warmly invited to extend your experience by joining a guided Forest Therapy walk after lunch, right here at St. Placid priory. If you would like to participate in the walk, please sign up for this offering in addition to the morning retreat.

We look forward to welcoming you to this time of rest and renewal.

Getting Here

Location icon St. Placid Priory, 500 College Street Northeast, Olympia, 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
Program and Lunch

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

Vegan icon Vegan
Vegetarian icon Vegetarian
Pescetarian icon Pescetarian
Ayurvedic icon Ayurvedic
Includes Meat icon Includes Meat
Organic icon Organic
Gluten Free icon Gluten Free
Dairy Free icon Dairy Free
Nut Free icon Nut Free
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
Verified logo
Delightful!
Four of us from Centralia, WA attended the Priory for a solitude retreat last week. It was a very welcoming and enjoyable experience with the sisters in worship, in meals, in good conversation. The facility was nearly perfect for us. The four of us used small rooms for our conversations and ongoing study and work around lament and praise. Thank you so much for your generous hospitality.

5.0
Verified logo
Time with God
I really enjoyed my stay here. It was very peaceful. Its so hard to have any quiet time to be with God and a getaway here is ideal for me. I was able to read and write in a quiet study room as well. I know I will be back. I want more time with God away from the noise and distractions of society and this makes it possible. Thank you so much and see you soon. God bless,

5.0
Verified logo
great place
I love this place and tender care that people put in maintaining it. I also feel the presence of the Higher Power in this place.

5.0
Verified logo
The solitary retreat I needed
The sisters and staff were gently welcoming. I read, wrote, walked the grounds, dined with the sisters, attended services, contemplated. It was a perfect setting and time and my soul is the better for it.

5.0
Verified logo
Hybrid: Continuing Contemplative Rest
This monthly contemplative experience is an excellent way to help me live out my Benedictine intention to live in the world in a calm and helpful way. There are many things that tend to distract me from intentional living and the work we do together in contemplative rest helps me live peacefully outside those distractions. I find I am much more focused on what's important when I have rested together with those present on the first Saturdays.

Select your options

Available Dates
June 6, 2026
  • $78.00
    Program Price
  • $90.00
    Program and Lunch
Book Now

Policy Info Refund & Cancellation Policy

The event is 100% refundable for cancellation 60+ days before the event start date. The event is 50% refundable if cancelled 30-59 days before the start date.

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