Top Rated

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

Name: Fall P.A.U.S.E. retreat: Christian Contemplative Prayer, Well-Being, and Embodiment
Start: 2025-11-07
End: 2025-11-08
Location: St. Placid Priory
Rating: 4.85

4.85274 reviews

500 College Street Northeast, Olympia, WA, USA

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

Kathy

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

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. 2 people

Commuter, presentations, and meals

Commuter, only presentation

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

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

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

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

4.85 out of 5.0 average rating

Lorraine • Sep 06, 2025

5.0

Verified

What a blessed day!

This was indeed a blessed day for me. I loved how Sr Angela started our time with Lectio. Working outside with the group felt like prayer in action. We came back pink cheeked, glowing from exertion, and rejoicing in God's nature, community, and life. Thank you, Sr Angela.

Ana • Aug 21, 2025

3.0

Verified

Zentanles

The workshop offered a calming and meditative introduction to Zentangle art, with slow pace instruction that made the experience feel restorative. However, given the length of the session—from 10 AM to 3 PM—I had hoped for a bit more depth. We only explored five basic shapes to build patterns, which felt limiting considering the time investment and the vast variety of shapes used in this artform. A broader range of techniques or more complex designs would have added richness to the learning.

It’s possible that the hybrid format, with the instructor needing to move between rooms, impacted the flow and reduced opportunities for extended practice and sharing. A more centralized setup might help future sessions feel more cohesive. Additionally, providing handouts with shape variations and space for guided practice could support different learning styles and enhance engagement.

Lunch was a bit of a letdown this time. Having previously enjoyed a delicious salmon meal at the monastery, I was surprised to find the only protein option was cold cuts. The contrast made the meal feel less satisfying than expected.

That said, I’m truly grateful for the presenter, who was the heart of the experience—kind and knowledgeable. Their gentle guidance created a welcoming, stress-free environment, and their passion for Zentangle was evident throughout.

Peter • Aug 21, 2025

5.0

Verified

A Potent Retreat

My time at St. Placid's did not disappoint. The Sisters' hospitality was wonderful and palpable. The place is simple, quiet, beautiful. I was able to "unplug" more than I expected would be possible and was "met" in my quiet and solitude in a profound way. I shall return.

Anonymous • Aug 11, 2025

5.0

Verified

Peaceful and Restorative Place I Cherish Most in the Seattle Area

I truly love this place. The staff at the spiritual center—especially Janice—are warm, attentive, and genuinely caring toward those participating in the retreat. The presence and deep spirituality of the sisters here gently guide participants into a richer, more intimate walk with God. The facilities are clean and well-maintained, and I especially enjoy the walking path that circles the center—it’s perfect for unhurried reflection and prayer.

Susan • Aug 08, 2025

5.0

Verified

Beautiful & Serene Experience

This is the perfect place to escape to for a few days when you need rest and quiet time. There are no distractions and the rooms are very comfortable, clean, simple and quiet. I love the opportunity to have meals with the Sisters - as well as to worship with them daily. I am grateful they make rooms available for this type of individual time away - as I was not a part of an organized retreat.

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

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Kathy Holley, PhD

Details of this retreat

Getting Here

Directions

Accommodation

Venue & Amenities

Meals

Menu Types

Customer Reviews

Lorraine • Sep 06, 2025

What a blessed day!

Ana • Aug 21, 2025

Zentanles

Peter • Aug 21, 2025

A Potent Retreat

Anonymous • Aug 11, 2025

Peaceful and Restorative Place I Cherish Most in the Seattle Area

Susan • Aug 08, 2025

Beautiful & Serene Experience

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