Top Rated

Oasis 2025-2026

Name: Oasis 2025-2026
Start: 2025-09-18
End: 2026-03-20
Location: St. Placid Priory
Rating: 4.86

4.86271 reviews

Up to 25 in group

September 18, 2025 - March 20, 2026

Retreat Highlights

2 --2 overnight Retreats
8 Spiritual Direction Sessions
8 Day retreats

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Paz

Monika

Anna-Camille

Sonja

Laura

Julian

Paz Vital, OSB, PhD

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.

Monika Ellis, OSB, MA, Education

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

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.

Sonja Weber, OSB

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.

Laura Swan, OSB

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.

Julian Cleary OSB

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 TBD
May 21: Book Overview Sr. Anna-Camille

View and/or print the BROCHURE.

Getting Here

St. Placid Priory

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.

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

4.86 out of 5.0 average rating

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.

Terry • Aug 08, 2025

5.0

Verified

Contemplative Rest

I've already recommended this class and the instructor to other clergy in Thurston County, as well as members of my own ministry. The instructor led with a sense of calm and respect for all participating, leaving me with a desire to seek more opportunities to be with them. M was well organized, yet they were so present to the participants that they pivoted with a flexibility that was admirable. I deeply enjoyed my time and have already incorportated this process into my own spiritual practice.

Ann • Aug 07, 2025

5.0

Verified

Contemplative Rest: Nurture resiliency and peace in ourselves and the world

M Freeman took me to a place unexpected. Illuminious. Somewhat magical. Definitely healing. If you're seeking a new way of finding yourself, this is a good one. Thank you M for all the nicknames and memories that are bringing me more joy and liberation.

Anonymous • Aug 06, 2025

5.0

Verified

Zentangel at the priory with Sister Monica

I always enjoy this class at the Spirituality Center The exercize helps with my focas and concentration and coming to the Spirituality Center lets me experience the spiritual calmness as well.

Oasis 2025-2026

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Paz Vital, OSB, PhD

Monika Ellis, OSB, MA, Education

Anna-Camille Wooden, OSB

Sonja Weber, OSB

Laura Swan, OSB

Julian Cleary OSB

Details of this retreat

Getting Here

Directions

Accommodation

Venue & Amenities

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

Peaceful and Restorative Place I Cherish Most in the Seattle Area

Beautiful & Serene Experience

Contemplative Rest

Contemplative Rest: Nurture resiliency and peace in ourselves and the world

Zentangel at the priory with Sister Monica

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