Benedictine Center for Spirituality offers a place to be apart, to enjoy the peace of a monastic atmosphere and the warmth of Benedictine community at Saint Walburga Monastery. Through the Center we hope to share the spiritual resources of the monastery with those seeking a deeper relationship with God.

Benedictine spirituality is rooted in the listening to God which occurs
     in Scripture,
     in Liturgy,
     in personal prayer,
     in life together
     and in ministry.
The Center invites others to join in that listening to God.

Coming Soon

Lenten Lectures 2010

Beginning 3:15. Lecture followed by 5:00PM Vespers and refreshments.
Open to the public; no registration or fee required

February 28  - Allan Wright, Husband, Father, Teacher, National Speaker and Author will present  " Bringing Christ into our Hearts and Homes this Lent"

March 14  - Rev. John Catoir, Diocese of Paterson, NJ, author, and former director of the Christophers, will reflect on "The Joyful Season of Lent"

March 28  - Rev. Jane Tomaine, Episcopal priest and author from New Jersey  will speak about "Getting Back on the Wagon: a Lenten Call to Benedictine Stability"

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Reading Series

Thursday Evenings in Lent 7:30-8:30

February 18 & 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25

Reading Thomas Merton - Participants will read selected writings of Thomas Merton and reflect on the spirituality of this Trappist author.
$25 series. 

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Lenten Retreats 2010

Wisdom of the Desert Mothers and Fathers
- February 19-21  - women only - $125
Saturday, February 20 open to all - $30

Lent: A Season for Joy - March 12-14 - women only - $125
Saturday, March 13 open to all - $30

Women's Holy Week Retreat - March 31- April 4

For more information:  Email maritaosb@aol.com or call 908-353-3028

Schedule 2010

Overnight retreats are open to women only.
Day events are open to all and most Saturdays of a retreat weekend
are open to men and women. See list below.

Retreat Weekends for Women
Friday 7 PM - Sunday 1:30 PM

Weekends include:

Private room and meals
Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours with the monastic community
Daily conferences
Opportunity for Silence

Thomas Merton: A Voice Crying Out

On January 31, 2010, Thomas Merton would be 95 years old. What advice would he give us today as we make our way through the 21 st century? $125

Wisdom of the Desert Mothers and Fathers

Sister Marita Funke, OSB &Donna Marlowe, Obl

Explore the sayings of the Desert Mothers and Fathers whose whole-hearted and uncompromising response to the gospel rooted them in God and produced fruits of holiness and freedom. $125

Lent: A Season for Joy

Sister Marita Funke, OSB

Lent encourages us to deepen our commitment to God and prepares us to celebrate Easter with “holy Joy .” $125

Monastic Easter

Retreat Team

This Holy Week retreat for women begins on Wednesday at 7 PM and ends on Easter Sunday at 1:00 PM. The focus is on the Holy Week liturgy. $175

Private Retreat Weekend

Sister Marita Funke, OSB

Join the monastic prayer and meal schedule. No conferences. $125

Mother & Daughter Retreat

Sister Philomena Fleck, OSB

In addition to prayer and input sessions, there will be a service activity with shared reflections. $125

May 21-23

Goin' with the Flow: A Spirituality of Jazz

Special Weekend for Men and Women

Sister Marlene Milasus, OSB

Rhythm, structure, spontaneity, and interactive listening are all part of the jazz experience. How does this parallel our life with God? Retreatants may bring a favorite jazz CD. Musicians are invited to bring instruments that are easily portable $125

Monastic Live-In

Sisters Marlene and Rosemary

Catholic women over 18: live, work & pray with the monastic community for a week. $175

Vocation Discernment Weekend

For women considering Benedictine life

Retreat Days for Men and Women
9:00AM - 3:30PM

Option: Eucharist at 8 AM
The days below that do not have descriptions are part of weekend retreats. See descriptions above. Our overnight accommodations are usually limited to women, but Saturday is available as a day retreat for men and women.
Cost $30, Includes lunch

April 17

Spirituality of Gardening

“One is nearer to God in the garden, than any where else on earth.” Gardeners and non-gardeners welcome. $15

May 1

9 AM-3:30 PM

Change, Letting Go, Acceptance

Sister Arline Zurich, OSB

Listen to St Benedict speaking through his Rule and to the 12 Step program of Spirituality as they apply to your life. $30. Lunch included.

May 21-23

Friday 7 PM -
Sunday 1:30 PM

Goin' with the Flow: A Spirituality of Jazz

Special Weekend for Men and Women

Sister Marlene Milasus, OSB

Rhythm, structure, spontaneity, and interactive listening are all part of the jazz experience. How does this parallel our life with God? Retreatants may bring a favorite jazz CD. Musicians are invited to bring instruments that are easily portable $125

Other Offerings

Reading Thomas Merton

February 18, 25
March 4, 11, 18, 25
7:30-8:30 PM

Sister Marlene Milasus, OSB

Participants will read selected writings of Thomas Merton, and reflect on the spirituality of this Trappist author. $ 25 series

24th Annual Lenten Series                  3:15-5:30 PM
Lectures are followed by refreshments and Vespers. All are invited. No Cost.

February 28  - Allan Wright, Husband, Father, Teacher, National Speaker and Author will present  " Bringing Christ into our Hearts and Homes this Lent"

March 14  - Rev. John Catoir, Diocese of Paterson, NJ, author, and former director of the Christophers, will reflect on "The Joyful Season of Lent"

March 28  - Rev. Jane Tomaine, Episcopal priest and author from New Jersey  will speak about "Getting Back on the Wagon: a Lenten Call to Benedictine Stability"

Desert Days

9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Enjoy God's Presence in the quiet of the monastery church and grounds. Library and other areas are also available for reading and reflection. Bring bag lunch. Call for reservation.

Monastic Easter

March 31- April 4

This Holy Week retreat for women begins on Wednesday at 7 PM and ends on Easter Sunday at 1:00 PM.

Monastic Live-In

July 9-16

For Catholic Women over 18.
The Monastic Live-In is an opportunity to live, work and pray with the monastic community for a week.

Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

It is possible to make the Spiritual Exercises at home if you are willing to commit an hour a day to prayer and to meet with a director weekly from September to May. For details call Sister Marita before September 15.

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction is available for those seeking a companion on the spiritual journey.

A Retreat Day for Your Group

Dates and themes can be arranged to meet the specific needs of your group.

E-mail:

maritaosb@aol.com

Call:

Sister Marita at 908-353-3028

Write:

Benedictine Center
851 N. Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07208

Location:

* Near Exit 13A of NJ Turnpike or Exit 140 of GS Parkway
* 35 minutes by bus or train from NYC