Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer
Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer
2675 Benet Rd, Saint Paul, MN, USA
February 20 - 22, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- retreats, spiritual direction, conferencing
About this Retreat
Gwen received her training as a spiritual director from the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, WI. She is a commissioned presenter of both centering prayer and the welcoming prayer through Contemplative Outreach. She also received training in leading the Ignatian Exercises through Sacred Ground. Gwen earned her undergraduate degree in secondary education from the University of Minnesota and MA in counseling from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
Gwen is an oblate of St. Paul’s monastery. Her approach to spiritual direction is based on the Benedictine value of listening with the ear of the heart. She provides a safe space for you to reflect on your life while listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. She invites you to listen to the wisdom within your body and soul, as well as your mind. It is her great joy and honor to walk with people like you as you grow closer to the God who adores you and come to know and embrace your True Self. Gwen loves to facilitate and attend retreats, especially silent retreats. This is quite surprising, since she is extremely extroverted, has ADHD and loves to be on the move. She has been married for 40 years, has a daughter, a son-in-law from Argentina, and two grandchildren that she adores.
Mary Lapham, MEd, has been in a 12-step program as an Adult Child since 1984. Her 11th Step practice led her to Centering Prayer in 1996. She is a commissioned Presenter for both Centering and Welcoming Prayer. She leads a Welcoming/Centering Prayer hour in the meditation chapel on Zoom every Thursday at 11:00 (Thomas Keating Chapel). She is also a member of the 12 Step Spirituality speaker team- for those who use Centering Prayer as their 11th Step.
Details of this retreat
Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer Retreat
This a silent retreat for people who have been practicing Centering Prayer for at least 6 months.
In Centering Prayer, we consent to God's presence and action in stillness. In the Welcoming Prayer, we consent to God's presence and action in ordinary, everyday settings. Both of these prayers help us to deepen our relationship with God and dismantle the emotional programs of the false-self system and heal the wounds of a lifetime. There will be several centering prayer sits as well as sessions for learning and practicing the Welcoming Prayer throughout the retreat.
Mary Lapham and Gwen Pickering will be facilitating the Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer Retreat.
Participants are invited to join the Sisters for prayer, following the daily schedule of Liturgy of the Hours.
All meals and a private room are included.
This silent retreat is for people who have been practicing Centering Prayer for at least 6 months.
This a silent retreat for people who have been practicing Centering Prayer for at least 6 months.
In Centering Prayer, we consent to God's presence and action in stillness. In the Welcoming Prayer, we consent to God's presence and action in ordinary, everyday settings. Both of these prayers help us to deepen our relationship with God and dismantle the emotional programs of the false-self system and heal the wounds of a lifetime. There will be several centering prayer sits as well as sessions for learning and practicing the Welcoming Prayer throughout the retreat.
Mary Lapham and Gwen Pickering will be facilitating the Centering Prayer and Welcoming Prayer Retreat.
Participants are invited to join the Sisters for prayer, following the daily schedule of Liturgy of the Hours.
All meals and a private room are included.
This silent retreat is for people who have been practicing Centering Prayer for at least 6 months.
Schedule
prayer, meals, workshops
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Benedictine Center of St. Paul's Monastery, 2675 Benet Rd, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Directions
There are many buildings near the corner of Larpenteur and Century Avenues. Events and retreats are hosted at St. Paul's Monastery. Please be sure to check your destination is set to St. Paul's Monastery, 2675 Benet Rd, St. Paul, MN 55109. Call 651.777.8181 for assistance.
Directions
From I-94
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go North 3 miles to Larpenteur Avenue.
Turn left. Monastery Way is the first right. Go straight to get to St. Paul's Monastery.
From I-694
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go South 4 miles to Benet Road, just before the light at Larpenteur Avenue.
Turn right. St. Paul's Monastery is visible on the right.
From Hwy 36
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go South about 2 miles to Benet Road.
Turn right. St. Paul's Monastery is on the right.
Directions
From I-94
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go North 3 miles to Larpenteur Avenue.
Turn left. Monastery Way is the first right. Go straight to get to St. Paul's Monastery.
From I-694
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go South 4 miles to Benet Road, just before the light at Larpenteur Avenue.
Turn right. St. Paul's Monastery is visible on the right.
From Hwy 36
Take Century Avenue (Hwy 120) exit.
Go South about 2 miles to Benet Road.
Turn right. St. Paul's Monastery is on the right.
Accommodation
Program Price
Price
What's Included
- meals
What's Not Included
- travel
Last Chance