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A Prayerful Pause: An Ignatian Evening of Reflection and Renewal
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A Prayerful Pause: An Ignatian Evening of Reflection and Renewal

4.86264 reviews
Location icon
500 College Street Northeast, Lacey, WA, USA
Date
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

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.

Getting Here

Location icon 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

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

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

4.86 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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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.

5.0
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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.

5.0
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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.

5.0
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A very special place
St. Placid Priory feels so warm and welcoming. Such a wonderful place to get away from the hustle and bustle for a bit.

5.0
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Quiet Welcome
My time at the Priory provided me with the much-needed rest and pause for my sabbatical. The grounds breathe with a Spirit-filled serenity that I continue to carry with me, even after I've left. The best part is the welcome by the Sisters and Janice who are willing to open up their home and lives to their guests.

Select your options

Available Dates
July 29, 2025
  • $25.00
    Program Price
Book Now

Policy Info Refund & Cancellation Policy

The event is 100% refundable for cancellation 60+ days before the event start date. The event is 50% refundable if cancelled 30-59 days before the start date.

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