Last Chance

Top Rated

A Prayerful Pause: An Ignatian Evening of Reflection and Renewal

Name: A Prayerful Pause: An Ignatian Evening of Reflection and Renewal
Start: 2025-07-29
End: 2025-07-29
Location: St. Placid Priory
Rating: 4.85

4.85266 reviews

500 College Street Northeast, Lacey, WA, USA

July 29, 2025

Retreat Highlights

0:00–0:10 | Welcome and Centering | Opening prayer, brief introductions, setting intentions, and guided breathing to settle in.
0:10–0:30 | Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality | Brief talk on St. Ignatius, key concepts (finding God in all things, discernment), and the Examen’s history and relevance. Includes Q&A if time allows.
0:30–0:40 | Preparing the Heart | Guided body awareness or breathing exercise followed by journaling prompts to invite personal reflection on the year so far.
0:40–1:10 | Guided Mid-Year Examen (Adapted) | Step-by-step slow guided Examen prayer with pauses for journaling or silent reflection. Each of the five movements explained and experienced.
1:10–1:30 | Optional Sharing & Group Reflection | Small group or full group sharing of insights, surprises, or intentions arising from the Examen experience. Optional to respect participants’ comfort.
1:30–1:40 | Closing Prayer and Sending Blessing | A short prayer or blessing (such as a Psalm or a poem), invitation to continue the practice, and distribution of take-home materials/resources.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

William

Details of this retreat

This retreat offers participants a sacred pause—a reflective space at the midpoint of the year to slow down, look inward, and listen deeply to the Spirit’s movement.

Grounded in the wisdom of Ignatian spirituality, we will briefly explore the life and legacy of St. Ignatius of Loyola, whose 16th-century spiritual insights remain deeply relevant for modern seekers.

At the heart of this evening is the Examen, a simple yet profound practice of prayerful reflection that helps us recognize God's presence in daily life and respond with freedom and intention.

Together, we’ll journey through a guided, immersive variation of the Examen—designed not only as a personal prayer but as a communal experience of reflection and renewal.

Through gentle teaching, quiet time, journaling, and optional sharing, this evening of reflection seeks to realign the heart, rekindle inner awareness, and offer practical tools for spiritual discernment.

This retreat is open to anyone seeking a prayerful space to pause, reflect, and reconnect—regardless of familiarity with Ignatian spirituality. It is especially meaningful for spiritual seekers, retreatants, discerners, ministers, educators, caregivers, and those at a crossroads or transition point. Whether you're new to the Examen or returning to it, this mid-year retreat offers a gentle and grounded way to reflect and realign.

https://towardnewheights.com/

Getting Here

St. Placid Priory, 500 College Street Northeast, Lacey, 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.

Program Price

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

A welcoming, contemplative environment rooted in Benedictine hospitality.
A brief introduction to St. Ignatius and the foundations of Ignatian spirituality.
An extended, guided experience of the Examen, adapted for a mid-year reflection.
Opportunities for journaling, silence, and optional sharing.
Gentle prompts to help you discern patterns, invitations, and next steps for the months ahead.

Customer Reviews

4.85 out of 5.0 average rating

Bonnie • Jul 17, 2025

5.0

Verified

God the Artist was fabulous!

We spent the day in Shelton at an artists private studio. We were able to create three beautiful pieces. I used ferns and Japanese maple leaves in my pottery. We could choose what to make and were given individual guidance and suggestions. Lunch was under a tree in his garden. It was a perfect day. Creativity is a spiritual practice.

Carol • Jul 10, 2025

4.0

Verified

Perfect Place for a Silent Retreat

I recently lost my husband suddenly through a vicious disease. It upended my world. I had been
on a silent retreat many years ago and knew that it would be helpful to get away from all of the external pressures and focus on the internal feelings of grief and loss. Luckily The Priory allowed me to have a five-day silent retreat in my well-furnished room plus a private dining space for silence.
My need for silence was respected by everyone there. The surroundings were lovely and peaceful.
It was just what I needed.

Ann • Jun 30, 2025

5.0

Verified

Zentangle with Sister Monika

I love the zentangle classes with Sister Monika! She starts and ends the classes with thankfulness for the day, for the paper and drawing tools and then gently leads us into creating zentangles. I have been taking her classes for a long time and continue to learn so much.

Michele • Jun 28, 2025

5.0

Verified

Retreat

Everything one needs for quietude, rest and time out for reflection is at St. Placid’s. The grounds for walking are inviting, the food is healthy, everyone is welcoming, the accommodations are clean and comfortable.

Marcia • Jun 13, 2025

5.0

Verified

Serenity

When I need time to quietly be, to regain my serenity from living in a world of turmoil, St. Placid Priory is my choice. Here I can simply be, listen to the birds, listen to God.

A Prayerful Pause: An Ignatian Evening of Reflection and Renewal

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

William Warrick

Details of this retreat

Getting Here

Directions

Accommodation

Venue & Amenities

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

Customer Reviews

Bonnie • Jul 17, 2025

God the Artist was fabulous!

Carol • Jul 10, 2025

Perfect Place for a Silent Retreat

Ann • Jun 30, 2025

Zentangle with Sister Monika

Michele • Jun 28, 2025

Retreat

Marcia • Jun 13, 2025

Serenity

Select your options

Have a question for your host?

Similar retreats

Private Overnight Retreat

Summer P.A.U.S.E. Weekend retreat: Christian Contemplative Prayer, Holistic Healing, and Faith

Zoom: Prayer Practices Certification Program 2025-2026

Oasis 2025-2026

Spiritual Direction Certificate Program: Application

Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life

Private Sedona Spiritual Retreat

Come Rest & Renew

Sponsored or Personal Day of Prayer

Desert Day

Day of Prayer (no overnight)

Silent Overnight Retreat