Sister Paz has a MA Theology and Ministry at Catholic Theological Union. She is a Spiritual Director and a Retreat and Workshop presenter. Sister Paz loves to share her Mexican traditions, especially her experiences on the Day of the Dead. She is an Oasis & Prayer Practices Facilitator.
Sister Monika, OSB, MA Education, is a member of St. Placid Priory since 1971, is a retreat and spiritual director, musician and artist. She is an enthusiastic teacher who loves to pass on what she knows about craft.
Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB is St. Placid Priory's sub-prioress, Oblate Director, a program presenter, and helps care for the monastery cat. She has a long time Centering Prayer practice, is a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer, an experienced retreat leader, and is on the Contemplative Outreach Northwest Leadership team.
Sr Sonja Weber, OSB, enjoyed art throughout her life, and later focused mostly on iconography, combining her desires for contemplation and creativity. She is a Prayer Practices, Oasis, and Retreat Leader.
Sr. Laura Swan, OSB, is a writer and spiritual director, who also serves St Placid community as Formation Director. She is the author of numerous books, including The Forgotten Desert Mothers and The Wisdom of the Beguines. Sister Laura holds many different hats she is a "YouTube star” too.
Sr Julian Cleary, OSB, has practiced disability law for about 25 years. More recently she has engaged in immigration work. To Sr. Julian the Reverend Howard Thurman has been a model and a mentor in absentia of inner transformation, peaceful advocacy, and a purveyor of dignity and respect to all.
Details of this retreat
Do you yearn for rest, prayer and nurturing in your busy schedule? What would your life look like if you gave yourself or/& to a beloved one two retreat opportunities at the Center, plus six quiet afternoons during the year? Silence, spiritual direction and Lectio Divina are available to aid your reflection.
Every Third Thursday of the month, 1:30 pm- 7:15 pm --at the Spirituality Center or Zoom
Sep 18: Ch.1 The Gift of Winter and Darkness —Sr. Laura
Retreat: Oct 15-17 Wednesday, 7:15pm - Friday, 1:00pm @ Spirituality Center
Oct 16: Ch.2: Spiritual Bypassing and Shadow Work —Sr Paz
Nov 20: Ch. 3 Grief as Holy Path —Sr. Sonja
Jan 15: Ch. 4 The Apophatic Path or Way of Understanding —Sr Anna Camille
Feb 19: Ch. 5 The Compassionate, Fierce, Dark Feminine —Sr. Julian
Retreat: Mar 19-21: Wednesday, 7:15pm—Friday, 1:00pm @ Spirituality Center
Mar 19: Ch. 6: The Transformative Mythic Journey —Sr. Monika
April 9: Sr. Lucy Wynkoop
May 21: Book Overview Sr. Anna-Camille
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.
Program Price, Include 2 retreats at the center, meals, and Spiritual Direction in each 6 sessions
Zoom Option Only
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
What's Included
Sep 19: Ch.1 Learning to Pray in Silence —Sr. Lucy
Retreat: Oct 16-18 Wednesday, 7:15pm – Friday, 1:00pm at the Center
Oct 17: Ch.2: The Homing Instinct of the Human Heart —Sr Anna-Camille
Nov 21: Ch. 3 The Mystic in All of Us —Sr. Paz
Jan 16: Ch. 4 Alive in Body, Mind, & Spirit. Learning to Pray in Silence —Sr Sonja
Feb 20: Ch. 5 Encountering God through the Senses —Sr. Monika
Retreat: Mar 19-21: Wednesday, 7:15pm—Friday, 1:00pm at the Center
Mar 20: Ch. 6: Cultivating Grateful Joy —Sr. Monika
Apr 24: Ch. 7 Attuned to the Dynamic Order of Love —Sr. Lucy
May 15: Ch. 8 Standing on Holy Ground —Sr. Laura
Customer Reviews
4.85 out of 5.0 average rating
5.0
Verified
Much Needed!
This was my first personal retreat at St. Placid, and it couldn't have come at a better time! Besides my full time work in a local church, I also provide in home care to my parents who are 95 and 96 and who both have dementia. Self care is important to those who care for others, and this time was much needed for me. The two nights and three days I spent at St. Placid were restful, tranquil, and rejuvenating. From the moment I arrived until I left, I was offered warm welcome and hospitality. The food was excellent. The sisters are all interesting conversation partners at meals. My room and facilities in the Spirituality Center were comfortable and well equipped. The grounds are beautiful in a forested location, and I was able to take walks, enjoying the Autumn colors, around the local area. You can pretty much make your personal retreat at St. Placid what you need it to be, whether it's silence, meditation, and prayer, reading or study in their wonderful library, or just a time of rest and fellowship. I plan to be back in the future!
5.0
Verified
Great Place For A Quiet Retreat
This was my first time at St. Placid Priory and I would definitely return for another retreat. Comfortable, quiet accommodations, very clean, delicious meals served by the in house chef, if you choose to include some meals in your stay, shared kitchen for making your own meals has what is needed and breakfast items included in the kitchen! Areas outside your room for quiet - a small parlour, the "Julian room," the chapel in the main building. Large trees all around and paths for walking - beautiful grounds. Just off the Interstate and easy to access. You can join the sisters for worship if you desire. A good experience. Those coming for retreat should perhaps be aware that both women and men can be guests, should the assumption be that only women will be here on retreat.
5.0
Verified
Exactly what I needed
I was frazzled from a month of intense activity and had another busy month coming up so a retreat was a perfect way to rest, redirect, recharge. The wooded setting, silence, liturgy along with the calm presence of the Sisters was a balm.
5.0
Verified
Learning about my shadow
To Sister Paz Vital: I am so grateful for you and for the workshop you gave us this weekend. I learned so much, much I didn't know or didn't understand, even after years of reading Jung and others' work about the shadow. You took us step by step, in such a short time, into deeper understanding. You presented the information in an engaging and enlightening way, and your quick understanding and intelligence shone in every question you addressed. I loved especially the story of the two wolves. That is how my mind was finally opened to the necessity of feeding and attending to my shadow. Thank you!
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.
Select your options
Available Dates
September 18, 2025 - March 20, 2026
Select a Room
$1,460.00
Program Price, Include 2 retreats at the center, meals, and Spiritual Direction in each 6 sessions