Welcome to Benet House Retreat Center at St. Mary Monastery
The Word Among Us
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: November 25th, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: November 26, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Boundless Compassion Circles
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the Month
Compassion Circle is a gathering for anyone who has participated in a Boundless Compassion retreat or book study. There is sharing of compassion moments and then an insight on compassion presentation and discussion.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: November 27, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 3, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Break-A-Way: A Day of Prayer and Quiet
Monthly on first Wednesdays
Take time out from your busy! This year the reflection will be “Pondering the Mysteries of Creation” in celebration of our Benedictine value of Care of Creation. The day begins with an opening reflection. The rest of the day is for whatever nourishes you.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: December 4, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
The Hiding Place: Women's 24-Hour Directed Retreat
As the Season of Advent arrives, Come, Seek the Quiet, and hide away to rest and rejuvenate. The pace and stress of the summer tend to wear us down and take us away from the meaning of a holy time.
The Word Among Us
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: December 9th, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 10, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Boundless Compassion Circles
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the Month
Compassion Circle is a gathering for anyone who has participated in a Boundless Compassion retreat or book study. There is sharing of compassion moments and then an insight on compassion presentation and discussion.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: December 11, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Bookmarks: Women Spiritual Authors
2nd Thursday of the Month
This Bookmarks series focuses on the writings of women spiritual authors both contemporary and from our rich Christian past. The group will determine books. Reading, reflecting, and discussing these authors will help you expand your love of God and guide you along your spiritual journey.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 17, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: December 18, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Spirituality and Poetry
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
Wisdom Women: Women of the New Testament
Thursday, December 19th 2024
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
This series will focus on the Women of the New Testament study created by Little Rock Bible Studies.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 24, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Boundless Compassion Circles
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the Month
Compassion Circle is a gathering for anyone who has participated in a Boundless Compassion retreat or book study. There is sharing of compassion moments and then an insight on compassion presentation and discussion.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: December 25, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 31, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
The Psalms for Everyday Life
This retreat morning is an opportunity to dive more deeply into the Psalms. The context and structure of the Psalms will be covered. There is also an opportunity to faith share what a Psalm means to your spiritual life.
Bookmarks: Women Spiritual Authors
2nd Thursday of the Month
This Bookmarks series focuses on the writings of women spiritual authors both contemporary and from our rich Christian past. The group will determine books. Reading, reflecting, and discussing these authors will help you expand your love of God and guide you along your spiritual journey.
Silent Directed Retreat
This yearly retreat provides time for silence, daily Eucharist, an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, daily spiritual direction, centering prayer/Lectio, and a focus on the Sunday Gospel.
The Thomas Merton Chapter Group
3rd Mondays of the Month
Benet House is an official chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society (International Merton Society). The chapter meets monthly to read, discuss and grow in the understanding of Merton’s life and writings.
Self Compassion and the Cancer Journey
We know the experience of living with cancer is a life challenge. How do we sustain our hope, energy, and trust in the future? On this retreat day, there will be sharing of practical ways to nurture our self-compassion so we can live with positive energy about ourselves and our journey of a ‘new normal’.
Bookmarks: Women Spiritual Authors
2nd Thursday of the Month
This Bookmarks series focuses on the writings of women spiritual authors both contemporary and from our rich Christian past. The group will determine books. Reading, reflecting, and discussing these authors will help you expand your love of God and guide you along your spiritual journey.
Tables for Two: A Valentine's Evening of Quality Time and Conversation with your Spouse
The evening includes a 4-course dinner, served to couples who are seated by themselves. Before each course, a dynamic talk on “Cooking Up Love” is presented by John Parr and Laura Baum-Parr. Couples receive questions related to each talk to discuss together while they dine.
The Spirituality of Women: Loved Ones, Rituals, and Sacred Spaces
The focus of this retreat is discovering the sacred spaces in our living and working areas, identifying those persons who reveal God's love to us, and exploring rituals, traditions, and prayers that lead us to a deeper relationship with God.
Wisdom Women: Women of the New Testament
Thursday, February 20th 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
This series will focus on the Women of the New Testament study created by Little Rock Bible Studies.
The Psalms for Everyday Life
This retreat morning is an opportunity to dive more deeply into the Psalms. The context and structure of the Psalms will be covered. There is also an opportunity to faith share what a Psalm means to your spiritual life.
Bookmarks: Women Spiritual Authors
2nd Thursday of the Month
This Bookmarks series focuses on the writings of women spiritual authors both contemporary and from our rich Christian past. The group will determine books. Reading, reflecting, and discussing these authors will help you expand your love of God and guide you along your spiritual journey.
Thomas Merton Retreat: 24 Hours with Thomas Merton and His Poetry
This overnight retreat is led by Mark Meade (live via Zoom), Assistant Director of the Thomas Merton Center, who will engage us in a prayerful experience using Thomas Merton’s poetry.
The Thomas Merton Chapter Group
3rd Mondays of the Month
Benet House is an official chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society (International Merton Society). The chapter meets monthly to read, discuss and grow in the understanding of Merton’s life and writings.
Wisdom Women: Women of the New Testament
Thursday, April 17th 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
This series will focus on the Women of the New Testament study created by Little Rock Bible Studies.
The Psalms for Everyday Life
This retreat morning is an opportunity to dive more deeply into the Psalms. The context and structure of the Psalms will be covered. There is also an opportunity to faith share what a Psalm means to your spiritual life.
Bookmarks: Women Spiritual Authors
2nd Thursday of the Month
This Bookmarks series focuses on the writings of women spiritual authors both contemporary and from our rich Christian past. The group will determine books. Reading, reflecting, and discussing these authors will help you expand your love of God and guide you along your spiritual journey.
The Thomas Merton Chapter Group
3rd Mondays of the Month
Benet House is an official chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society (International Merton Society). The chapter meets monthly to read, discuss and grow in the understanding of Merton’s life and writings.
Bookmarks: Women Spiritual Authors
2nd Thursday of the Month
This Bookmarks series focuses on the writings of women spiritual authors both contemporary and from our rich Christian past. The group will determine books. Reading, reflecting, and discussing these authors will help you expand your love of God and guide you along your spiritual journey.
Wisdom Women: Women of the New Testament
Thursday, June 19th 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
This series will focus on the Women of the New Testament study created by Little Rock Bible Studies.
Wisdom Women: Women of the New Testament
Thursday, November 21st 2024
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
This series will focus on the Women of the New Testament study created by Little Rock Bible Studies.
Spirituality and Poetry
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: November 20, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: November 19, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
The Thomas Merton Chapter Group
3rd Mondays of the Month
Benet House is an official chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society (International Merton Society). The chapter meets monthly to read, discuss and grow in the understanding of Merton’s life and writings.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: November 13, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Boundless Compassion Circles
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the Month
Compassion Circle is a gathering for anyone who has participated in a Boundless Compassion retreat or book study. There is sharing of compassion moments and then an insight on compassion presentation and discussion.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: November 12, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
The Word Among Us
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: November 11th, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Boundless Compassion 4-Day Retreat and Facilitator Training
Compassion can change a heart, change a life, change a world. This retreat/workshop is open to people of all faiths and spiritualities. The workshop explores the depth of the many-layered components of compassion, the central quality of the life and teachings of Jesus. Adding training to become a Boundless Compassion facilitator is optional.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: November 6, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Break-A-Way: A Day of Prayer and Quiet
Monthly on first Wednesdays
Take time out from your busy! This year the reflection will be “Pondering the Mysteries of Creation” in celebration of our Benedictine value of Care of Creation. The day begins with an opening reflection. The rest of the day is for whatever nourishes you.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: November 5, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: October 30, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: October 29, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
The Word Among Us
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: October 28th, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Finding Our Stories: Living the Gospel in Our Everyday Lives
Storytelling helps us to understand the shapes of our lives, to see the extraordinary in what feels, in the day-to-day, ordinary. Over the course of this retreat participants will be encouraged to recognize faith in our everyday lives.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: October 23, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Boundless Compassion Circles
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the Month
Compassion Circle is a gathering for anyone who has participated in a Boundless Compassion retreat or book study. There is sharing of compassion moments and then an insight on compassion presentation and discussion.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: October 22, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
The Psalms for Everyday Life
This retreat morning is an opportunity to dive more deeply into the Psalms. The context and structure of the Psalms will be covered. There is also an opportunity to faith share what a Psalm means to your spiritual life.
Spirituality and Poetry
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: October 16, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: October 15, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
The Word Among Us
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: October 14th, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Bookmarks: Women Spiritual Authors
2nd Thursday of the Month
This Bookmarks series focuses on the writings of women spiritual authors both contemporary and from our rich Christian past. The group will determine books. Reading, reflecting, and discussing these authors will help you expand your love of God and guide you along your spiritual journey.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: October 9, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Boundless Compassion Circles
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the Month
Compassion Circle is a gathering for anyone who has participated in a Boundless Compassion retreat or book study. There is sharing of compassion moments and then an insight on compassion presentation and discussion.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: October 8, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Who Can Be a Contemplative? A Silent Four-Day Centering Prayer Retreat
Central Illinois and Mississippi Valley Contemplative Outreach invite you to a retreat based on Father Thomas Keating’s teachings, “Who Can Be a Contemplative?” We discover our “true selves” through centering prayer, preparing us for Contemplative Living.