"Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."
Mark 6:31
what is a
silent-directed retreat
A silent retreat is a gift of transformative time—a focused journey to deepen your friendship with our Lord.
Retreatants maintain silence to nurture contemplation, prayer, and spiritual growth, while receiving daily, individualized spiritual guidance from a gifted spiritual director—typically a priest or trained layperson rooted in Catholic teachings. The primary aim is to draw closer to God, enrich your prayer life, allow body and soul to rest and heal, and discern His divine will.
It’s a special time to listen to the Holy Spirit, receive His profound love for you, and experience the sacraments more fully. Most of all, it’s an invitation to simply be with our Lord and be renewed in His presence.
To learn more about the Bethany retreat experience, please review our FAQs below.
The Bethany Retreat Experience
Daily Rhythm
This is a typical retreat sample schedule for a 3 day retreat of the scheduled time guests will experience at Bethany. All other times of the day are guided by the Holy Spirit and can unfold in times of prayer and Adoration, recreation throughout our 110-acre campus, and rest. Silence is maintained at all times except during Mass and Spiritual Direction.
Thursday
7:00pm Arrive and settle in
7:30pm Welcome and Orientation
9:00pm Silence begins: Evening Repose
Friday and Saturday
8:00am Continental Breakfast
9:00am Personal Spiritual Direction
11:00am Mass
12:00pm Lunch
6:00pm Dinner
9:00pm Evening Repose
Sunday
8:00am Continental Breakfast
9:00am Personal Spiritual Direction
11:00am Mass
12:00pm Lunch
5:00pm Silence ends: Celebratory Dinner
6:00pm Departure
Accommodations
Bethany was where Jesus went for rest and renewal and it was in the home of his friends: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Your retreat takes place in a home. Each guest enjoys a private bedroom with breathtaking views of the grounds, offering a tranquil space to rest and reflect amidst the beauty of God’s creation and the comfort of a craftmanship farmhouse. Guests are encouraged to explore the retreat house and expansive grounds, delighting in the abundant wildlife and the peaceful scenery that surrounds them.
Bethany provides distinguished and extraordinary hospitality. Each meal is prayerfully prepared, homemade, nourishing, and designed to support your health and well-being. We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions with sufficient notice; however, due to our current facilities, we cannot guarantee complete prevention of cross-contamination.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Spiritual direction is a sacred time to honestly and vulnerably share your prayer and spiritual journey—your joys, struggles, and deep yearnings. Your spiritual director walks with you as a trusted companion and an instrument of the Holy Spirit, helping you discern how and where our Lord desires to speak into your heart—to reveal His truth, offer guidance, bring encouragement, and illuminate the areas where His love desires to heal and restore. Ultimately, this journey is an intimate encounter that transforms, consoles, and renews. All that is shared in spiritual direction is held in strict confidentiality.
Bethany Center is blessed to have gifted and trusted spiritual directors, carefully chosen through a prayerful vetting process, dedicated to guiding you into a deeper, more profound union with Christ.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What if I find the silence challenging?
Entering into silence can be intimidating, but you are not alone. We have a God that is not only Love, but who is also in love with you. Know that God is waiting for you and will not lead you anywhere by yourself. Your spiritual director will journey with you each day to hear about your prayer experience and help you listen to the whispers and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Be open and God’s grace will guide you towards a deeper connection with Him.
How will I spend my time?
At Bethany, the Holy Spirit will direct the guest’s day. The only scheduled items are meetings with the spiritual director, Mass, and meals. All other time is available for rest, recreation, and prayer in the presence of God while maintaining silence to hear His still, small voice.
During your recreation time, you might exercise or explore the beautiful grounds of the 110-acre campus. There are spiritual books, puzzles, and coloring pages available onsite. You are welcome to bring a quiet craft or hobby.
What should I bring?
The most important items for you to bring are your journal, your Bible, a watch, and comfortable clothes for your meditation time and for exploring the grounds. Bethany provides all sheets, linens, meals, and beverages. Bethany will share a more comprehensive packing list when you register for your retreat.
Please leave all work materials, as well as electronic devices, at home or turned off for the duration of the retreat. Doing so helps you enter more deeply into prayer and silence, free from distractions. We find that retreatants really enjoy taking a break from technology!
Your family/friends can call Bethany’s main line: 651-243-0556 if there is an urgent need and we will communicate that to you promptly. If you have a special circumstance, please talk to your spiritual director.
How much does a retreat cost?
Bethany Center for Prayer and Renewal incurs costs for accommodation, spiritual direction, and meals. Our approach reflects the Church’s mission to be accessible to all, ensuring that each of our brothers and sisters in Christ has the opportunity to encounter God’s love and deepen their faith, regardless of their financial situation. With that, we operate on a free-will donation basis. In the spirit of gratitude, please join us in this mission of love and service. Your support helps to spread the blessings of a silent directed retreat to others!
How can I support Bethany?
We’re so grateful that you’re interested in supporting our mission!
We have three primary opportunities of meaningful impact:
Prayer
Bethany relies on the spiritual support of our “Friends of Bethany” network. Interested in interceding for our ministry? Please complete the Contact Us form and our team will be in touch.
Generosity
Time
If you have the gift of time, a desire to utilize your skills or a charism you’d like to share, please complete the Contact Us form and our team will be in touch with any volunteer opportunities.
Where can I go to learn more?
Our Bethany team is happy to answer any additional questions you have. Please fill out our Contact Us form and one of our team members will be in touch.
Interested in a retreat?
Complete the Retreat Interest form and we will contact you about retreat opportunities.