Find Authentic Retreats in Olympia Washington

"What a beautiful day! We spent time in contemplative prayer together, we forest bathed amongst the trees, we had a wonderful lunch with the Sisters, we shopped in the priory bookstore, and we listened to wisdom on all the many benefits of engaging in centering prayer. The retreat exceeded my expectations. It was everything I needed to start the season calm, rested and at peace. "

"I relaxed completely in this beautiful retreat space. The meals provided were delicious and nutritious. I enjoyed staying in the simple, basic rooms and slept well. "

"Thank you for this great space of peace and tranquility. Life today can be so hectic and stressful. I am glad I decided to step outside my comfort zone to attend your Silent Retreat. I felt at peace the moment I drove onto campus. The residence and room were very clean and comfortable. The weekend's Silent Centering Prayer schedule was very well planned. I love worshipping with the Sisters in chapel and in 20 minutes sit in silence with my fellow retreat participants. Retreat schedule also included Rest and Recreation time to walk around on campus and enjoy nature or just stay in my room to read/relax. The meals were delicious. The weekend ended with attending mass with the Sisters and the community. I am not Catholic, but I felt welcomed and comfortable attending mass. I am definitely planning to attend again! Thank you! "

"Dear St. Placid Priory, I just wanted to thank you again for allowing me to stay at the St. Placid Visitor Center while I attended a Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation training in Olympia. Janice and Val were so welcoming and made me feel right at home. The minute I stepped onto the Priory property, I could feel the quiet, contemplative spirit of the Sisters. The Priory is beautiful and the Visitor Center was just as beautiful. My room was lovely, with handmade quilts on each bed and a cozy rocking chair. My bed was very comfortable and I loved that I had my own sink and mirror right in my room. My room also had a desk which I used every night to do my homework. As the week went on, I met other retreatants who were also so kind and generous. I was allowed to use the community kitchen which had a full oven, microwave and refrigerator so I was able to make my own lunches and dinner each day. Though, I didn't have an opportunity to eat with the Sisters because my classes ended too late, I did hear from other retreatants how delicious the food is at St. Placid. I would definitely recommend staying at St. Placid if you are looking for a calm, quiet, contemplative atmosphere. It was exactly what I had hoped for. Thank you, Sisters for your loving embrace of me and my CGS course. I will always remember you in my prayers. Mary Pat Heelan, Worcester, MA"

"This was my first visit to St Placid Priory and I found the experience a wonderful retreat. It gave me a chance to get some much needed respite. The sisters were very kind, the rooms very nice, and the food was delicious and the grounds are also very nice . I would recommend it to anyone wanted some quiet time. "

"I thoroughly enjoyed the zentangle class with Sister Monica. She is very clear and supportive in her teaching. I really look forward to her class! "

"a welcoming place for solace, silence and restoration. thank you to the nuns and volunteers making this possible. "

"I am an introvert who really needs her alone time. I need to know that I can spend a day or 2 alone with God, to better know Him and myself. Staying at St. Placid Priory Spirituality Center gave me that opportunity. They thought of everything to make sure retreatants have all they need to have a comfortable stay. The room was perfect for me. The grounds are beautiful and the quiet was a gift. The people who gave me a tour were very friendly and made me feel very welcomed. I would definitely stay there again and highly recommend. "

"I participated in a weekend silent centering prayer retreat. It was a truly restful and nourishing time. There was just the right amount of input and guidance from our leader. The atmosphere at the Priory is wonderfully serene and welcoming. The food was fabulous!"

"A beautiful weekend of living the way of beauty - or Hözhö, in the Navajo language. I did not expect to be going outside at 5:15am to greet the dawn and it was a wonderful experience. I found myself challenged to live in a different way. Being at St Placid is restful, peaceful, and yet pushes me to new places. Thank you to our retreat leader, Nancy Joan Brighid nee Muire. "

"I had a wonderful experience. My room was very comfortable, cozy, and quiet. It is special to be with sisters in the chapel for prayers and Mass. The food is definitely delicious. Plus, I shared the three days with a terrific group of people,"

"M Freeman's contemplative rest sessions encourage us to use our memories of events to delve deeper into our interior lives to understand how the Divine moves in us and encourages us to live more fully. I have found that Contemplative Rest has changed the way I view some of the upsetting circumstances of my life into more acceptance and understanding of difficulties I've faced. I encourage you to try this helpful and relaxing time of listening to your life and sharing with others. "

"I really enjoyed Sr. Monika's May 2024 series of Zentangle classes via Zoom. She's a good teacher, very clear in leading us through a drawing and always takes time to answer questions and clarify what she says and does. The process is a way of slowing down and focusing, relaxing the mind, enjoying the moment. The hour goes by before I know it--because I'm so focused. And when we're done, we all have something beautiful. Looking forward to the July Zentangle series!"

"This was my second experience with Sr. Monica's Zentangle classes and it's one of my favourite things in the world. I always look to see when the Prior are offering it. Sr. Monica is an excellent and patient teacher and I've recommended this to my friends."

"I love doing zentangle with Sister Monika. She was my spiritual director for a couple of years and it's nice to keep up a connection. I find zentangling to be so helpful in my life and I appreciate being able to be part of a group and learn new ways. "

"Being at St. Placid Priory was such a friendly, hospitable experience. A staff member greeted me warmly, showed me to my room (pointing out the location of the restroom along the way) and explaining the tricks to using the room key. She also escorted me to dinner that evening, showing me the way from one building to another. I chose to eat my dinner at a table with one of the Sisters, who continued the hospitality in a wonderfully joking way. The Sisters had earlier shown another kind of welcome by including me, and the others in my workshop, into their evening prayers. That was a quiet, gentle welcome. I felt so comforted by my experience at the Priory."

"M Freeman's Cinema Divina weekends always help me see the Divine at work in the quotidian events of my life. From making coffee to sitting in front of an open widow enjoying the morning breeze, I am reminded that my life is not spectacular but comprised of simple tasks, enjoyable moments talking to a friend, pain-filled days of back problems and a hundred other things that make up a life well lived. "

"This was a wonderful experience. The retest lead "Denise" was a wonderful facilitator. The group was the perfect size to allow some personal space and some group interaction. Hospitality and the sense of peace at the Priory is unmatched. Thank you for sharing this holy ground with us. "

"This 20 session program (2 hour sessions over 6 months) covered a wide array of topics one can use in their personal prayer life and share with others. Each presenter was very knowledgeable about their topic and made skillful use of the session. A variety of teaching approaches were used, including slides for visuals and textual information, time for practice and group responses/discussion, and resource information. As a Lutheran I felt very comfortable with the other participants and content. I particularly enjoyed having group members from around the region and country. It will take me another 6 months to review each topic and I am looking forward to that!"

"Peace and quiet with no expectations. It was amazing."

"An amazing experience-I was deeply and profoundly moved. Mr. Deleon found the perfect combination of modern images and words of the walk we are taking with the Christ, today. I so deeply thank you! Kim, Great White Owl"

"I just finished the third of three Zentangle classes. I absolutely loved it. The instruction was really clear and easy to understand, and I felt like I learned a lot. It was also really calming for my spirit and was just what I needed. I highly recommend this class! "

"The retreat was the perfect place for our Contemplative Rest workshop. The space as comfortable and equipped with state of the art technology that allowed us to hold a hybrid virtual and in-person meeting. There was also a kitchen in the building with hot water and tea and refrigerator for our lunches. The priory is on a beautiful and quiet wooded property. "

"What a delightful experience. Sister Monica presents Zentangle in such a clear and encouraging way. Zentangle is such a joy to do and these three hours have invigorated and reinsured my use of this wonderful meditative tool. Many thanks. Jo Hussey"

"I very much enjoyed Sr. Monika's teaching during this weekly for 3 weeks Zentangle class. Drawings can look so complex, but she takes participants through the process one step at a time as we all draw--so at the end we each have a delightful drawing mostly done. It's also fun to finish it later since we now know how to do each piece. Thanks for a fun experience of learning a new way to draw and of building confidence to do more! Dorothy"

"This ministry provides support for rest and renewal. Lovely people with space designed to encourage reflection: books, nature, and kitchen for good nutrition. "

"Our group from Unity of South Sound enjoyed yet another weekend retreat at The Priory, staying at the retreat center. Janice was great to work with throughout the arrangement of reservations and flexible with us so that we could determine our exact number before finalizing the arrangements. We know the retreat center from prior trips. We each had our own room and shared a well equipped conference room for parts of three days. The kitchen was easy for us to use for breakfast and snacks. We brought our food from The Priory back to the retreat center because some of the Sisters were isolating themselves with a few having Covid but we still enjoyed our healthy meals back in the kitchen. That was convenient and easy for us. The kitchen also allowed some of us to play games and socialize at night after our formal activities were completed. We even engaged in thoughtful conversation with a few others staying at the retreat center for a program with the Sisters as we shared the kitchen table. The weather was cool and brisk but we still enjoyed an outside walking meditation in nature on the beautiful grounds set in a lowland Douglas fir forest. There are roads and sights and even a walking path in the forest."

"The hybrid contemplative rest retreat led by M Freeman is a wonderful opportunity to dive into the benefit of periods of silence in our busy world. The retreat helps participants develop the habit of daily resting in silence and letting peace wash over them like a cleansing stream. These gatherings will take place monthly, and I highly recommend them to help develop a regular practice of contemplative rest."

"I love staying at St Placid Priory. The Sisters are most gracious and hospitable. They work to meet my needs and I feel blessed. My room is quite comfortable and the food most satisfying. It is a treat to be welcomed to join them for the Daily Office. I look forward to returning. thea"

"Our small group really appreciated being able to meet at the Priory Spirituality Center for a five day midweek meditation retreat. We appreciate the full handicap accessible campus, the individual rooms for accommodations, and, most delightfully, the wonderful meals provided. They were obviously prepared with love. Janice went above and beyond to provide for scheduling and welcoming us. And the sisters in the refectory were also very hospitable and friendly. We were all deeply grateful for such a conducive place for us to focus on our meditation practice and do our spiritual work together. We are coming back."