Writing as Witness

5.002 reviews
Location icon
Our Lady of Angels Convent, 609 Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014, USA
Users icon
Up to 10 in group
Date
October 25, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Time for reflection -- individually and in community
  • Peaceful time to write
  • Located between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE
  • On the grounds of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia motherhouse

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

“There is a door we all want to walk through, and writing can help you find it and open it. …it can get you to start paying attention, can help you soften, can wake you up.” Anne Lamott in Bird by Bird

Come explore the joys of writing as a spiritual practice. Discover how writing tunes attention and deepens faith while gaining encouragement for your own writing practice. Time will be spent in group sharing as well as private reflection and writing practices. Whether you have a regular writing practice or are simply feeling the nudge to try something new, this retreat is open to you. Participants will want to bring something to write in, writing utensils, and a curious and open spirit.

Schedule

10am Morning Session
11:30am Lunch
1pm Afternoon Session
3pm Depart
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Franciscan Spiritual Center, Our Lady of Angels Convent, 609 Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014, USA

Directions

From North or South on I-95,

*exit at the Market Street Exit, Route 452 North toward Aston. At the 5th light (5-Point intersection) make a left onto Concord Road. At the next traffic light, turn right onto Convent Road. The convent is ahead on your right. (It is a large building with a large red dome.)

From North or South on Route 1,

** turn onto 452 South. Follow 452 South to Glendale Boulevard (at Barnaby’s Restaurant). Turn right and at the stop sign, cross Legion Road. Continue through the next stop sign when Legion Road becomes S. Convent Road. The convent is ahead on the left.

Coming East on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, exit at Downingtown (exit 23). Turn left at the end of the ramp and follow signs to 202 South (Route 100 merges into 202 South). Follow 202 South to Route 1 North. Take Route 1 North **

Coming West on the Pennsylvania Turnpike exit at Mid-County (exit 25A). Follow 476 South to the Lima/Springfield exit (Route 1 South). Take Route 1 South.**

Coming from the New Jersey Turnpike or I-295 – take exit 2 from the Turnpike or take the Commonodore Barry Bridge Exit if on 295, follow 322 West and cross the Commodore Barry Bridge Continue on 322 West to 452 North. Continue with directions * above

Accommodation

(includes lunch)

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

Meals

Menu Types

What's Included

  • Quiet time to think
  • Supportive community

What's Not Included

  • Transportation

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
Verified logo
Weekend at Franciscan Hermitage
From start to finish, my weekend was wonderful. I was filled by the beauty of nature, the silence, and solitude! The comfortable furniture and small but well- equipped kitchen added to my experience. By Sunday I felt rested and renewed by this sacred time with God.
I was grateful!

5.0
Verified logo
Wonderful restful and peaceful retreat close to home
The hermitage at the Center was simple, clean, and comfortable. And beautiful because of that. I sat on the balcony in the comfy chair and looked out onto the woods and listened to the birds. I sat there during a rainstorm. I read and wrote and felt the surroundings put me at ease.
Everything was well organized. The Sister who checked me in was attentive, and then left me to my privacy. Perfect balance of care and solitude.
I'm definitely going back!

Similar retreats