Frequently Asked Questions

A two-night weekend or midweek Catholic Spiritual Retreat consists of a balance of group activities: Prayer Services, Mass, Retreat Conferences (30-minute presentations on a specific topic related to the retreat theme), meals, AND free time for rest, reflection, personal prayer, reading, walking or sharing with other retreatants. The hoped-for (and often met) result is allow retreatants to recharge mentally, spiritually and physically, sending them back to the 'real world' with renewed hope, joy perspective and faith assisting them in navigating and enjoying life. 

The nature of a retreat is to withdraw from the distractions of our everyday routines allowing us to focus our time on our relationship with God. The time that you are here on retreat is YOUR time and we encourage you to honor the body and the Spirit. By that we mean that if you are tired, perhaps your body is telling you that you need rest, and you may need to miss one of the activities on the retreat program. Maybe your personal prayer is leading you to a deeper point of reflection and you need to see that moment to its completion, or maybe the words of a retreat presenter have led you to a moment of prayer or reflection. It may be a good idea to stay with the moment, rather than going to the next activity.

The following web pages will provide you with further details on our retreats:

Our Calendar provides a list of the dates and types of our future retreats.

The Women’s Retreat, Men’s Retreats, Married Couples, Silent Retreats, Serenity AA & Al/Anon Retreats, Friends of Francis, Prayer Shawl Retreat, Retreat for those in Grief, Individual Private Retreat and Directed Retreat pages have explanations of the various types of retreats we offer at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center.

A non-refundable, registration fee of $35 per person is required and must be received in order to reserve a room for our Catholic Spiritual Retreats.

The $35 registration fee is in addition to the $190 suggested donation for our Weekend and Midweek retreats.
The suggested donation for our weekend and mid-week retreats is $190 (includes programs, meals and private room with shared shower/toilet). The retreat actually costs far more than that. We ask so little because so many generously support Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center throughout the year and we want to keep the Catholic Spiritual Retreats affordable to a broad group of retreatants. Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center is not subsidized by any diocese or religious community. We rely on retreat fees and donations from friends and benefactors.

We accept donations via MasterCard, Visa or Discover credit cards as well as cash and check donations.

While our retreats are formed and informed by the Roman Catholic tradition, we welcome all people who are seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord. Retreats are also a great spot for spiritual 'seekers' who are exploring their spirituality in a meaningful way for the first time, or for those considering returning to the church after an absence. 

Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center provides retreatants with a safe and sacred environment in which to deepen their relationship with God. We offer a balance of opportunities for silence as well as sharing with others during our retreats. Some people find it helpful to share and discuss their spiritual journeys with others. Others find that they are led to quiet contemplation and solitary prayer. While we ask for respectful quiet among our retreatants, especially in the bedrooms, halls, and the chapel, we do not require complete silence throughout our retreats.

We do offer four fully silent retreats for those who prefer silence throughout their entire retreat.

You can register for a retreat by the following methods:

1. Look at our calendar to find a retreat that works for you and click the link to register from there.

2. Call Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center at (952) 447-2182 and provide us with your name, address, phone number, and the date of the retreat you would like to attend. If you call outside of our office hours and no one is available to take your call, press 10 and leave a message with one of our office staff.

3. Contact Us for further information.

If there are openings on the retreat you would like to attend, we will send you an e-mail and/or a postcard confirming your place on that retreat. We will let you know immediately if the retreat you have requested is full so that you may choose another retreat date.

Please check our Calendar for the dates and types of future retreats.

The friars and women on our Staff are available for private spiritual direction during our retreats. Spiritual direction is an opportunity to share your spiritual journey with a discerning guide and compassionate listener. If you wish to talk to someone about how your retreat is affecting your relationship with God and others, spiritual direction provides a sacred time and space to do so.

Please consult the Calendar page for our retreat schedule.

Click on the following web pages for explanations of the various types of retreats we offer at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center. The Women’s Retreat, Men’s Retreats, Married Couples, Silent Retreats, Serenity AA & Al/Anon Retreats, Friends of Francis, Prayer Shawl Retreat, Retreat for those in Grief, Individual Private Retreat and Directed Retreat.

Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center provides you with a comfortable room and delicious, well-balanced meals. We recommend that you bring casual clothes appropriate to the season. You may want to bring a book, journal or other spiritual material for reflection. We have a library with many items you may find of interest. Beverages and snack items are available for purchase in the Hospitality Room and the Marian Lounge. Our Hospitality Room also has items such as alarm clocks, toothpaste and other sundry items you may use during your retreat in case you forget to bring them.

Please notify us if you have special medical dietary needs. Contact Us.

We have 58 comfortable semi-private rooms arranged in 29 suites. Each room has a full or queen sized bed, linen, a sink, towels, and a small closet. Many of the rooms have writing desks for your convenience. Each suite has a shower and a toilet. The two rooms of each suite are separated by a folding wall. Married couples and family members usually open the wall to share the large space together. Individuals leave the wall in place.

See our Photo Tours pages for slideshows of our chapel, building and rooms and the grounds.

We do everything we can to assist people with special needs.
We have an electric wheel-chair for our guests and several of the rooms have adjustable (hospital) beds.
Please notify us if you have special needs. Contact Us.

Click on the Make a Gift page to make a secure donation via our website.

You may wish to join the Apostle’s League, which supports Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center throughout the year by making a donation of $1.00 or more per week.

We have recently established an Endowment fund for the perpetual support of Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center.

Please remember Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in your will.

We do not sell or trade any of the personal information you share with us. It is solely used for retreat registration and retreat promotion purposes of the Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center and the Province of Our Lady of Consolation.