Franciscan Retreats: Welcome

Welcome to Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center

Situated on 60 acres of land near the communities of Prior Lake and Savage, Minnesota, and about 40 minutes southwest of Minneapolis or Saint Paul, Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center is a spiritual oasis for people of all faiths who are seeking a deeper relationship with the Almighty. Our lovely grounds, beautiful chapel and comfortable accommodations, along with the care and concern of the friars and staff provide a quiet and reflective environment for personal prayer and reflection.

For over forty years, the Conventual Franciscan Friars and staff of Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center have provided quality programs of spiritual renewal within a One-Day, Midweek (Tuesday-Thursday) and Weekend (Friday-Sunday) format. Consult Retreat Schedules for a sample of our Weekend and Midweek Daily Schedules. Check our Calendar page for a schedule of upcoming retreats.

Midweek and Weekend Retreats usually contain the following elements: Retreat Conferences which are centered around the theme of the retreat (Our 2009 Theme is Meeting Jesus Today), Prayer Services, opportunities to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation or the Sacrament of the Sick, as well as daily or Sunday Mass. Woven throughout our retreats are ample times for quiet and reflection, for walking, resting, reading or seeking out a member of Our Staff for Spiritual Direction.

Retreatants may also gather in the common areas of the retreat house to informally discuss or share their thoughts about a retreat conference, a homily or a prayer service. We try to strike a balance of group activities and personal time. (See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more detailed information about retreats).

For our Midweek or Weekend Programs, retreatants are housed in private rooms with a shared bathroom and shower. (Each room has its own sink.) Towels are provided as well. Retreatants need only bring comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and personal items. Should a retreatant have food allergies, they should alert us prior to the retreat.

Our grounds afford many opportunities for enjoying the beauty of creation and all of God’s creatures. It is not uncommon to see several deer or wild turkeys on the grounds, as well as other wildlife. Please bring your walking/hiking shoes, and perhaps, a pair of binoculars. See Photo Tour: People, Photo Tour: Grounds, Photo Tour: Building and Photo Tour: Chapel for slideshows of Franciscan Retreats.

The retreat experience is greatly enhanced by the superb culinary skills of our kitchen manager and head chef, Judy Miller, and her able staff. (See Our Staff for further details).

You may Register for a retreat on our website.

Click on How To Get Here and consult a Road Map for directions to Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center.

Should you have further questions, please call us at 952-447-2182, contact us via e-mail: secretary@franciscanretreats.net or via our website at Contact Us.

                       We welcome you to this beautiful and sacred space,
                            a space of prayer, of healing, of rest and renewal.
                                               We hope to see you soon!