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Fall P.A.U.S.E. retreat: Christian Contemplative Prayer, Well-Being, and Embodiment
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Fall P.A.U.S.E. retreat: Christian Contemplative Prayer, Well-Being, and Embodiment

4.86242 reviews
Location icon
500 College Street Northeast, Olympia, WA, USA
Date
November 7 - 8, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Winter P.A.U.S.E. Retreat Highlights
  • • Deepen Your Understanding of Spiritual Formation
  • • Recognize the Manifestation of Spiritual Formation
  • • Explore Christian Contemplative Prayer
  • • Experience God in Nature

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Fall P.A.U.S.E. retreat:
Christian Contemplative Prayer, Well-being, and Embodiment
About our 4 seasonal P.A.U.S.E. retreats
(P.A.U.S.E.—­Prayer and Understanding Silent Experiences)

We warmly invite you to our 4 seasons of P.A.U.S.E. retreats—sacred opportunities to appreciate the seasons, rest, reflect, and nurture your connection with God. These retreats center on Christian contemplative prayer, offering space for spiritual formation, soul care, holistic healing, and deepening faith. Guided by the words of Psalm 46:10, “...Be still, and know that I am God...,” our seasonal P.A.U.S.E. retreats explore unique aspects of spiritual growth and renewal.

While quiet moments of prayer are at the heart of our retreat, we also embrace times of fellowship, learning, and holistic nourishment—a rejuvenating pause amidst life’s busyness.

Fall P.A.U.S.E. Retreat Highlights

Our retreat, Christian Contemplative Prayer, Well-being, and Embodiment offers time to:

Deepening Contemplative Prayer

Explore the transformative power of Christian contemplative prayer and its deep connection to holistic well-being—body, mind, and spirit.

Cultivating Stillness in God’s Presence

Opportunities to be still and present in God’s presence, enriching your relationship with Him (Psalm 46:10).

A Sacred Pause from Life’s Busyness

Pause from the demands of daily life to reconnect with inner peace and stillness. (Ecclesiastes 4:6).

Experience God’s Presence in Nature

Enjoy a shortened Forest Therapy walk, combining Christian contemplative prayer with time spent in nature, experiencing God's presence in the beauty around you (Romans 1:20).

(Note: You may sign up for full-length Forest Therapy walks on up-coming dates at  St. Placid Priory.)

We invite you to join us this fall as we seek to grow in our understanding of Christian contemplative prayer, embrace precious times of quiet, and rest in God’s presence.
~Be blessed and strengthened in the stillness of God’s presence~
(Isaiah 30:15a; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NIV)

Getting Here

Location icon St. Placid Priory, 500 College Street Northeast, Olympia, WA, USA

Directions

Traveling north from Portland, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn left onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at second light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Traveling south from Seattle, on I-5:
Take Exit 109
Turn right onto Martin Way at end of exit
Stay in the far right lane
Turn right at the light onto
College Street NE
Turn right at St. Placid sign
(second possible right turn)

Accommodation

We have ten retreat bedrooms, most of which are equipped with two twin beds. The rooms may be shared if you are coming with a friend or partner, but generally there is just one person per room. Our building is set back among the trees so the rooms stay fairly cool. There is heat in each room for the colder nights. Each room has a sink, mirror, chair, desk, and small closet area. Towels and linens are provided, but please bring your own toiletries. Bathrooms are shared and showers are available. Retreatants are welcome to join the Sisters for Mass, Praise, and meals. There is wi-fi available in the Priory Library from 8:30am-8:00pm everyday. The Priory Store is also open on Fridays and Saturdays. Plenty of walking trails wind around the Priory's property and are open to retreatants. Spiritual Direction is available upon request at an additional charge.

Single Occupancy, 1 person
Double occupancy, shared room
Commuter, presentations, and meals
Commuter, only presentation

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
The Priory Spirituality Center is an ecumenical Christian ministry that encourages those of all faiths to discern the voice of God in their lives and in the world. A ministry of St. Placid Priory we reflect Benedictine values: peace, hospitality, community, learning and prayerful discernment.

We offer a peaceful and contemplative setting for personal reflection. We encourage and challenge people to know the presence of God in their lives through classes, workshops, retreats and individual spir

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan icon Vegan
Vegetarian icon Vegetarian
Pescetarian icon Pescetarian
Ayurvedic icon Ayurvedic
Includes Meat icon Includes Meat
Organic icon Organic
Gluten Free icon Gluten Free
Dairy Free icon Dairy Free
Nut Free icon Nut Free
On-your-own breakfast: Center Kitchen. Eggs, milk, bread, cereal, fruit provided. Your own food welcome, may be cooked in Kitchen. Lunch/Dinner served, main dish+salad bar. Sun coffee hour after Mass

Customer Reviews

4.86 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Pause Retreat
What a beautiful day! We spent time in contemplative prayer together, we forest bathed amongst the trees, we had a wonderful lunch with the Sisters, we shopped in the priory bookstore, and we listened to wisdom on all the many benefits of engaging in centering prayer. The retreat exceeded my expectations. It was everything I needed to start the season calm, rested and at peace.

5.0
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Beautiful Retreat Venue
I relaxed completely in this beautiful retreat space. The meals provided were delicious and nutritious. I enjoyed staying in the simple, basic rooms and slept well.

5.0
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Great spiritual experience!.
Thank you for this great space of peace and tranquility. Life today can be so hectic and stressful. I am glad I decided to step outside my comfort zone to attend your Silent Retreat. I felt at peace the moment I drove onto campus. The residence and room were very clean and comfortable. The weekend's Silent Centering Prayer schedule was very well planned. I love worshipping with the Sisters in chapel and in 20 minutes sit in silence with my fellow retreat participants. Retreat schedule also included Rest and Recreation time to walk around on campus and enjoy nature or just stay in my room to read/relax. The meals were delicious. The weekend ended with attending mass with the Sisters and the community. I am not Catholic, but I felt welcomed and comfortable attending mass. I am definitely planning to attend again! Thank you!

5.0
Verified logo
Perfect Place to Contemplate God
Dear St. Placid Priory, I just wanted to thank you again for allowing me to stay at the St. Placid Visitor Center while I attended a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation training in Olympia. Janice and Val were so welcoming and made me feel right at home. The minute I stepped onto the Priory property, I could feel the quiet, contemplative spirit of the Sisters. The Priory is beautiful and the Visitor Center was just as beautiful. My room was lovely, with handmade quilts on each bed and a cozy rocking chair. My bed was very comfortable and I loved that I had my own sink and mirror right in my room. My room also had a desk which I used every night to do my homework. As the week went on, I met other retreatants who were also so kind and generous. I was allowed to use the community kitchen which had a full oven, microwave and refrigerator so I was able to make my own lunches and dinner each day. Though, I didn't have an opportunity to eat with the Sisters because my classes ended too late, I did hear from other retreatants how delicious the food is at St. Placid. I would definitely recommend staying at St. Placid if you are looking for a calm, quiet, contemplative atmosphere. It was exactly what I had hoped for. Thank you, Sisters for your loving embrace of me and my CGS course. I will always remember you in my prayers. Mary Pat Heelan, Worcester, MA

5.0
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First Visit
This was my first visit to St Placid Priory and I found the experience a wonderful retreat. It gave me a chance to get some much needed respite. The sisters were very kind, the rooms very nice, and the food was delicious and the grounds are also very nice . I would recommend it to anyone wanted some quiet time.

Select your options

Available Dates
November 7 - 8, 2025
  • $235.00
    Single Occupancy, 1 person
  • $395.00
    Double occupancy, shared room
  • $150.00
    Commuter, presentations, and meals
  • $120.00
    Commuter, only presentation

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