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Holy Spirit Retreat Center was built by Jack and Peggy
Sexton in response to a call from God to provide a place
of prayer and community. Grounded in the Gospel as
expressed in the Franciscan Spirit, the retreat center
offers opportunities for personal and spiritual growth
for individuals and groups within an environment of
natural beauty and solitude.
Owned and staffed by the Sisters of Saint Francis
since 1996, Holy Spirit Retreat Center, set in thirty
acres of woods on Lake Elysian, welcomes people of all
faiths to come for awhile to listen and respond to the
Spirit of God speaking within. The Franciscan mission
and values enhance the ministries of hospitality and
spiritual direction at Holy Spirit Retreat Center.
HERMITAGE
Be still and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:11)
La
Foresta Hermitage is such a place of silence and
prayer. For Francis of Assisi, La Foresta was a humble
hermitage and one of the remote places in central Italy
sought out by Francis for solitude. Its remoteness
beckoned him and calls us to come apart from the
tensions and anxieties of daily life to sit with God in
the silence of solitude.
Jacoba
hermitage is named after a Roman widow who gave so much
care and support to Francis of Assisi. As he was dying,
he asked that she come and make his favorite cookies.
It is our prayer that Jacoba’s spirit of tenderness will
envelope those who stay here.
La
Foresta and Jacoba Hermitages at Holy Spirit Retreat
Center are modern one-room cabins, Jacoba Hermitage
is handicapped accessible. Both hermitages are
located on 18 acres of wooded land jutting into Lake
Elysian. The large windows open onto a tree-lined lake
front and a wooded area. This setting of natural beauty
invites the soul to quietly unfold before the presence
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SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Spiritual Direction is an interpersonal relationship
in which an individual meets regularly with a trained
spiritual director (listener) to reflect on his/her
faith journey. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit is the
Director. The trained listener companions the one
seeking direction and helps him/her listen to the voice
of God within while being attentive to the presence of
God and God's action in one's life. Two or three sisters
are regularly available as spiritual directors at Holy
Spirit.
LABYRINTH
The labyrinth is a tool for people of all faiths to
share a common spiritual experience and can be described
as a walking meditation. Relationships with God, self,
others and all creation are nurtured while walking the
labyrinth. A seven-circuit labyrinth, mowed in the
grass, is available here at Holy Spirit Retreat Center.
Many find the labyrinth a way to allow God to speak.
It can be a healing and sometimes a very profound
experience or it can be just a pleasant walk. Each time
one walks the labyrinth the experience is different, yet
one becomes empowered to find and do the work for which
one's soul is searching.
LOWER LEVEL
The Lower Level is a four-bedroom apartment located
in the lower level of the Sisters' Residence and is
available for individuals or up to four persons for a
time of retreat/solitude.
This space has a private entrance, view of Lake Elysian,
living room, dining room and kitchen. Retreatants and
small groups bring their own food and a donation.
OFFERING
The hermitages were
built with the hope of offering all persons a place to
spend time with God. We ask retreatants to determine
their donation through prayerful consideration in
justice to themselves and to the Center. A suggested
donation is $30-40 per night.
To receive information or to schedule the use of the
Hermitage, Retreat Center, Labyrinth or Lower Level,
contact:
Holy Spirit Retreat Center
3864 420th Ave
Janesville, MN 56048
507/234-5712
retreat@frontiernet.net
Retreat Schedule
Directions |
