How to Make a Retreat

Making a retreat at a Catholic Retreat Center is an art that is as unique and special as the person who makes it.

Making a Catholic Spiritual Retreat means that somehow, somewhere you have heard God calling you. You may have heard the call very loudly and clearly. Or perhaps you heard God calling deep within the stillness of your heart. You have felt the desire to be in a place where God is close and the distractions of life are set aside for a time. 

Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake MN is such a place.
We welcome you.
We are grateful that God has called you here. Although our liturgies are Catholic in nature, we welcome all spiritual seekers of any faith or denomination wherever you may be on your personal faith walk.
 

Surrender

Be open to grace. Allow God to work in your life and provide you with what you need during your retreat.

“…those who surrender shall live….” [Jeremiah 21:9]

Pray

Open your heart, mind and spirit to God. Participate in private and communal prayer.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication.” [Ephesians 6:18]

Be silent

Listen with all of your body, mind and spirit to what God has to say to you.

“Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him…” [Psalm 37:7]”

Read

We have many wonderful spiritual books in our library.

“Seek and read from the Book of the Lord.” [Isaiah 34:16]

Write

Keep a “retreat journal” for exploring what you have learned about your relationship with God during your retreat. Note any insights, questions or plans you become aware of so that you can refer to them and expand upon them once you return home. Pray for guidance as you write.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a reminder in a book.” [Exodus 17:14]

Enjoy our grounds

Being close to creation brings us closer to God.

“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.” [Genesis 1:31]

Enjoy a spiritual conversation with others

Talk to staff members (see Our Staff) or other retreatants about where you see God working in your life.

“Let your conversation be with intelligent people, and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High”. [Sirach 9:15]

Plan to come again

Retreats are an ongoing, nourishing, and necessary component of our spiritual lives. Many people find that making an annual Catholic spiritual retreat deepens their relationship with God and sets the course on their faith life for the upcoming year. See our Calendar for a schedule of future retreats. 

“They decreed that this day should be celebrated each year.” [1 Maccabees 7:49]