Present to Presence: A Centering Prayer Retreat

Location icon
53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA 01085
Date
December 12 - 14, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Are you yearning for a profound spiritual experience that transcends the noise and chaos of everyday life? Discover a transformative journey into the depths of silence and divine connection, where you'll learn to open yourself to God's presence through the contemplative practice of Centering Prayer. A practice that promises healing, inner peace, and spiritual awakening.

“Be still and you will know
not by the knowledge of the mind, but
by the knowledge of the heart
who God is and who you are.”
-Thomas Keating

Thomas Keating, Trappist monk, author, and one of the founding refiners of Centering Prayer, once posed the question: Why go on retreat?  His response: “to experience the deepest silence” and open “uninterruptedly to God’s presence and to the enormous energy of love that creates and sustains us and the universe …”

Centering Prayer is a contemplative practice, a means to immerse ourselves in silence and open to God’s presence within and all around us. By being present to Presence, we open to a dynamic ever-creating God, who loves us beyond measure and heals and transforms us.

This retreat, intended for those who would like to begin a practice of Centering Prayer or re-ignite their practice, will briefly examine the roots of Centering Prayer; offer opportunities to experience the prayer, walking meditation, and lectio divina as well as explore ways to bring a Centering Prayer practice into your life. There will also be time to walk the grounds, read, or rest.

Come listen to the still small voice. Let silence and stillness enfold and embrace you.

Getting Here

Location icon Genesis Spiritual Center, 53 Mill Street, Westfield, MA 01085

Accommodation

Program Price

Customer Reviews

4.96 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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By His Cross and Resurrection
I really needed the quiet and silence during these Holy Days to enter more deeply into my relationship with my God. I so appreciated Joe’s poems, short talks, and especially the Ecological Stations of the Cross. Other times are for participant sharing, but not so much during this Holy time.
Grateful for everything, including Jen’s delicious meals! 👍😋
Elaine

5.0
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6 day silent guided retreat April
I had a very much needed quiet time. Genesis is always the place. My "guru" was exceptional. After just one session, I felt like we've known each other for years. The simplicity of the scheduled sessions with her were so beneficial. Along with the food and the accomodations, I left truly invigorated.
As an AA, I was also able to attend mtg while there ...downstairs!
I'm referring my friends to Genesis.

5.0
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Verses of the Soul: A Virtual Poetry Journey
This was a new experience for me. I signed up for this program because I love and also write poetry. The selections that JoAnn chose were varied and thought-provoking. Although we were a small group, the sharing was very meaningful. Hopefully this kind of program will be offered again.

5.0
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Poetry
I loved the hour midday to refresh and get quiet with several beautifully selected poems. My schedule prevented me from attending all three sessions, and as can happen in small groups, one or two participants shared at length, but the leader offered rich, varied creative work for us to contemplate.

5.0
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Lenten Supper Series
The Lenten Supper series is a meaningful and affordable way to unplug from the busyness and stressors of life for a few hours of intentional time to recenter and refresh during the season of Lent.

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