Welcome to Benet House Retreat Center at St. Mary Monastery
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: May 6th, 2025
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: May 7th, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
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 Word Among Us
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: May 12th, 2025
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: May 13th, 2025
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: May 14th, 2025
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.
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’.
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.
Lectio Divina: Weekly Prayer
Weekly on Tuesdays: May 20th, 2025
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: May 21st, 2025
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: May 27th, 2025
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: May 28th, 2025
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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: April 30th, 2025
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: April 29th, 2025
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: April 28th, 2025
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.
Women's Tea Luncheon
Pamper yourself! Have tea and lunch with other women and take time to reflect on your spiritual journey.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: April 23rd, 2025
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: April 22nd, 2025
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
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.
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: April 16th, 2025
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: April 15th, 2025
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: April 14th, 2025
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.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: April 9th, 2025
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: April 8th, 2025
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Silent Lenten Retreat: Jesus, Friend of My Soul
“Jesus, Friend of My Soul” is a 24-hour silent Lenten retreat. “Come and see” what awaits you.
Reflect on the qualities of our day-to-day friend and teacher, Jesus. Ponder how to model these characteristics of Jesus’ life in your own life.
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: April 2nd, 2025
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: April 1st, 2025
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: Presenter Formation Training Retreat
Central Illinois Contemplative Outreach offers this retreat to train Centering Prayer practitioners to present the Introductory Workshop to Centering Prayer. Participants must have thorough experience with Centering Prayer and the writings of Thomas Keating. You must complete an intensive Centering Prayer retreat before the training (or within 12 months of the training).
Centering Prayer
Weekly on Wednesdays: March 26th, 2025
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: March 25th, 2025
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: March 24th, 2025
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.
The Woman at the Well
The Gospel of the Woman at the Well is a powerful story of acceptance, friendship with Jesus, and transformation. This retreat will provide time to reflect on this parable and how it integrates with our lives.
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: March 19th, 2025
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: March 18th, 2025
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
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.
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.