Programs
Silent Directed Retreat - Online Option
With Jaclyn Newns, Sister Margaret Scott, aci and Linda Robinson
Several times throughout the year, St. Raphaela Center offers multiday Ignatian retreats directed by the Center staff and visiting directors. This is a unique opportunity to spend time in silence and tranquility in order to listen more deeply to the quiet voice of God that speaks to each of our hearts. Our experienced spiritual directors […]
A Practicum in Giving the 19th Annotation 2023-24
With Linda Robinson
This Practicum (available in a hybrid format; participants can choose to join online or in-person) will explore the content, graces and dynamics of the 19th Annotation: Retreat in Everyday Life. It will provide assistance and support to spiritual directors as they give the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. This Practicum will deepen one’s experiential understanding […]
La Salle Academy Faculty Retreat
An Online Practicum in Giving the 19th Annotation 2022- 2023
With Sister Karen Doyle, SSJ and Nan C. Bouché
This Practicum will explore the content, graces and dynamics of the 19th Annotation: Retreat in Everyday Life. It will provide assistance and support to spiritual directors as they give the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. This Practicum will deepen one’s experiential understanding of the weeks of the Spiritual Exercises as they unfold in the everyday […]
Group Inquiry
St. Raphaela Center offers the use of our facilities to many different types of groups for a variety of gatherings. By providing us with the information in the form below, we will be able to begin the planning process for your group's stay at St. Raphaela Center.
Host Your Retreat - Overnight
St. Raphaela Center provides the perfect atmosphere in which individuals or groups of any religious tradition can come together to think, plan, pray, reflect, and grow. We are able to host groups that range in size from 2 to 80 people. Many parishes use our facilities, and we also host a variety of programs and days of […]
Host Your Retreat - University groups
St. Raphaela Center provides the perfect atmosphere in which individuals or groups of any religious tradition can come together to think, plan, pray, reflect, and grow. We are able to host groups that range in size from 2 to 80 people. Many parishes use our facilities, and we also host a variety of programs and days of […]
Host Your Retreat - Elementary, Middle and High School
St. Raphaela Center provides the perfect atmosphere in which individuals or groups of any religious tradition can come together to think, plan, pray, reflect, and grow. We are able to host groups that range in size from 2 to 80 people. Many parishes use our facilities, and we also host a variety of programs and days of […]
Sponsored or Personal Day of Prayer
We have one day set aside each month for individuals to come and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Center. The retreat begins with a common opening prayer to set the tone for the day, after which retreatants are free to spend their time in personal prayer or quiet reflection. The Center is also […]
Centering Prayer
We have one day set aside each month for individuals to come and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Center. The retreat begins with a common opening prayer to set the tone for the day, after which retreatants are free to spend their time in personal prayer or quiet reflection. The Center is also […]
Handmaid Feast Days
Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life
The 19th Annotation This retreat follows the entire 30-day Spiritual Exercises retreat, but is adapted to be made during “daily life”, that is, without taking a month off of work or studies or family. Retreatants meet once a week with their spiritual director to review their prayer and to receive material for the following week […]
Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life Inquiry
With Sister Lyan Tri, ACJ, Linda Robinson, Leigh Murray and Sister Pat Mensing, SSJ
The 19th Annotation This retreat follows the entire 30-day Spiritual Exercises retreat, but is adapted to be made during “daily life”, that is, without taking a month off of work or studies or family. Retreatants meet once a week with their spiritual director to review their prayer and to receive material for the following week […]
Desert Day
We have one day set aside each month for individuals to come and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Center. The retreat begins with a common opening prayer to set the tone for the day, after which retreatants are free to spend their time in personal prayer or quiet reflection. The Center is also […]
Shawl Ministry
Spiritual Direction Office Reservation
Spiritual Directors associated with St. Raphaela Center may use this form to request the use of a Spiritual Direction office. Even though the dates specify an overnight stay, the "Check In" date is the date understood for your reservation. If you want to reserve an office over the course of consecutive days, please specify that […]
Busy Person's Retreat
With Fr. Joe Schad, SJ, Sister Kathy Benham, IHM and Sister Carmen Cabrejos, ACJ
The Busy Person’s Retreat is an experience designed to support you to connecting with God in your daily, ordinary life. During these days, you will be encouraged to take the time to pray on your own for about 30 minutes each day. Daily 30 minute meetings with your spiritual director either in-person or via Zoom […]
Personal Overnight Retreat
An individual may make a retreat at the Center for a few hours, for a few days, or for an extended period of time. During this time, the retreatant may meet with a spiritual director or just spend some time in personal prayer or quiet reflection.
Dinner at the Center
Women's Weekend: Wise Women Journey in Hope
With Linda Robinson and Sister Oanh Vo, aci
Before the magi arrived, wise women were already present, traveling to tend to a laboring mother and then to her newborn son. Their gifts were simple yet practical- water, blankets, nourishment. The magi, under the guidance of a star, arrived after the birth, bringing gifts intended for a royal ruler. All journeyed in hope- for […]
Winter Directed Retreat Weekend 2026
With Sister Clare A. D’Auria OSF, Lisa Hibberd and Sister Pat Mensing, SSJ
A directed retreat at St. Raphaela Center is a time of quiet in order to enhance attentiveness to God's voice within you and in your life. A reverent silence is maintained throughout the Retreat Center at all times including during meals. Each retreatant meets with his/her director daily for approximately 45 minutes. Our Spiritual Directors on staff will […]
Winter SoulCollage® and Tea
With Kathy Garrett, Ph.D
You are invited to join a small group on a Sunday afternoon for Soul Collage and community. Practice making collage cards that reveal your own inner wisdom and engage in inner dialogue to hear the movement of the Spirit within. Reflect on questions like: How can I nurture the quiet inspiration of winter? What is […]
Lent Day of Prayer
With Fr. Joe Schad, SJ and Michelle Gomez
During Lent, we journey as a faith community toward Calvary. Join us for a retreat experience on this theme, which will include short presentations, grounded in Scripture, as well as opportunities for personal sharing, prayer and reflection. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be offered, and we will conclude our time with Eucharist and Lenten […]
Escuchando a Dios como Ignacio: Spanish Weekend Retreat
With Sindy Collazo
Listening to God like Ignatius ~ Escuchando a Dios como Ignacio Spanish Ignatian Weekend Retreat Objective: The Hispanic Ministry Team of OIS (Office of Ignatian Spirituality), designed “Escuchando a Dios como Ignacio” as an experience of Ignatian Spirituality for beginners. Duration: It is a weekend retreat, starting Friday night and ending Sunday afternoon with the […]
Koinonia: A Respite for the LGBTQ+ Community
With Joshua Barrett Tracey
Koinonia celebrates the luminous side of queer Christian life — the joy, creativity, and deep spirituality of those who live at the often-fraught crossroads of faith and identity. It offers an ecumenical, unhurried, and spacious environment for rest and renewal. This retreat is for those who are LGBTQ+ and are Christian, Christ-haunted, or still finding their […]
Umwelt: Expanding Our Vision, Exploring Our Senses
With Grace Cipressi
How does Jesus speak to us through our senses? "Umwelt" is a term used to describe how an organism's world is created through how they perceive it. Using our God-given senses in this retreat we will explore how Jesus meets us where we are at in connecting with our sensory experience. Together we will explore […]
Spiritual Directors Circle: Somatic Spirituality
The Spiritual Directors Circle of the Philadelphia Region presents, Somatic Spirituality: An Introduction to Integrating the Body in Your Sessions How do we help others encounter God not just in their thoughts and emotions—but in their bodies? In this one-hour introduction, we’ll explore how the body holds spiritual experience, how stress and trauma can shape […]
Awaken Your Spiritual Story
With Kathy Garrett, Ph.D
Awaken the deeper wisdom within your own life story through a gentle spring day of creative contemplative practices. Our stories carry joy and mystery, challenge and sorrow. With creativity and reflection, you can deepen your understanding of the sacred threads that shape and guide your life. In this one-day retreat, you will be invited to […]
To Human
With Sister Oanh Vo, aci and Dan Chen
We often find ourselves with a never-ending task list, created and fueled by this insidious and invisible need to be worthy and valued. We are encouraged to be machines rather than humans, hailed for our ability to run on fumes rather than being fully nourished. What does it mean to honor being human? How do […]
Writing Retreat: for those laboring for Justice in our world
With Tricia Way
This is a writing retreat for artists, activists, community organizers, scholars, educators, students, practitioners, and nonprofit leaders in the fields of restorative or transformative justice, criminal legal defense, justice studies (racial justice, gender justice, climate justice), or social justice advocacy who have a writing project of some sort—a book, thesis, dissertation, article, grant proposal, newsletter, […]