Sabbaticals
At the Christine Center there are two kinds of sabbaticals available namely, a sabbatical for spiritual seekers, women/men religious, and ministers or a creative sabbatical for writers, dancers, and visual artists. Come for a month, 3 months, 6 months or more, and be transformed by the process.
Sabbatical for Spiritual Seekers, Women/Men Religious, and Ministers:
Ever since St Francis, like Jesus, went apart to pray and to discern, Franciscans have cherished the contemplative. Spiritual seekers are invited to find God in the natural sanctuary and holy rhythm of the Christine Center. This Sabbatical Program offers an opportunity for religious men/women, ministers, and spiritual seekers to take time away from formal ministry or work to rest, renew, study, create or arrange their schedules as best suits their needs. Be renewed, meditate, study and enjoy nature's beauty in one of our hermitages nestled on 125 acres of wooded lands.
Our focus is on meditation, mysticism, and the contemplative life. We embrace the essential unity and diversity of all mystical traditions. You may join us for our natural foods, vegetarian meals or you can prepare your own food in a hermitage with a kitchenette.
A variety of recreational activities can be enjoyed at the center or nearby.
Spiritual direction, bodywork, and a wood-fired sauna are available for your use. A 50% discount applies to staff-offered retreats and seminars for those persons on a 3 month or longer sabbatical.
Catholic Liturgies and Church Services are available in Willard and nearby.
Creative Sabbatical for writers, dancers, musicians, and visual artists:
In the Franciscan tradition, creativity is the highest form of spiritual work. Create, be renewed, meditate, and enjoy the natural setting at The Christine Center. The Center offers a safe, peaceful, beautiful, and conducive environment for creativity. We offer a unique sabbatical opportunity for visual artists working in watercolor painting and/or pencil drawing. Our grounds lend themselves to the art of video, film, photography, and music. Dancers may use our 2,000 sq. ft. meditation room as available.
Our focus is on meditation, mysticism, the creative process and the contemplative life. Creative sabbatical participants are welcome to join us for times of meditation or flow with their own creative schedule. You may join us for our natural foods, vegetarian meals or you can prepare your own food in a hermitage (cabin) with a kitchenette.
A variety of recreational activities can be enjoyed at the center or nearby.
Spiritual direction, bodywork, and a wood-fired sauna are available for your use. A 50% discount applies to staff-offered retreats and seminars for those persons on a 3 month or longer sabbatical. Please bring your own supplies and equipment.
Private Sabbatical:*
Rustic: $1,329 per month
Modern: $1,807 per month
(Prepare own meals = deduct $720 from modern)
Semi-Private Sabbatical:*
(3-1/2 hours of work - 5 days a week)
Rustic: $919 per month
Modern: $1,398 per month
(Prepare own meals = deduct $720 from modern)
*Prices subject to change.
Testimonials from our Retreatants, Work/Study & Seminar Attendees:
"I loved the weekend. It made my spirit soar and was such a wonderful way to begin the new growth of spring. I went home with such a deep sense of peace and purpose. Every year has been a delightful surprise. No matter what activities we have engaged in, I felt a spiritual connection and uplifting. And each time I return I seem to go deeper into that contemplative silence." Kristine Rued-Clark, Writer
"The content of the retreat was powerful and timely for me in my life journey right now. It helped me tap into a deeper part of myself, and also led me to articulate things in myself that now have greater clarity, with a quiet peace. Thanks to all here." Madlyn Pape, CDP, Musician and Liturgical Choral Director
"Thank you for welcoming me into the Christine Center community. . . . I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work and play alongside each of you. Every person has taught me something valuable that I take with me on my journey. It has been a great joy living intimately with this land and witnessing the gifts of each moment through the changing seasons." Carrie Stellpflug, Work/Study, six months.