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Intensive and Post Intensive Centering Prayer 8 Day Retreat

8 Day Silent Intensive & Post Intensive Retreat

July 6 – 3:00 PM to July 13 – 12:30 PM

at Mercy Conference and Retreat Center – St. Louis, MO

Registration Now Open

July 6th – 13th, 2026

Sponsored by Contemplative Outreach St. Louis

Come rest in silence with other contemplative companions, away from the busyness of daily life, and allow the mind, body, and spirit to surrender to God’s presence and action within.

This 8 day retreat offers a more in-depth experience of silent prayer for those who already have an established practice of Centering Prayer of 6 months or more. It is an opportunity for deeper union with God through a communal sharing of silence and stillness. For those making their first weeklong silent retreat, the Intensive, we will be using the video series by Thomas Keating, The Spiritual Journey. The simultaneous Post Intensive track includes additional time in silent prayer instead of video presentations for those who have previously made an Eight Day Intensive Retreat.

This retreat offers a double track simultaneously: Intensive I and Post Intensive. If this is your first Centering Prayer retreat of this length the Spiritual Journey Videos are shown in Intensive I. They lay a necessary foundation for the practice for life and especially intensive retreats.

Intensive I: There will be 3 sets of two 30-minute periods of Centering Prayer daily and 2 sessions of watching video talks from Fr. Thomas Keating’s Spiritual Journey series with optional discussion.

Post-Intensive: There will be 3 sets of two 30-minute periods plus two additional 30-minute periods of Centering Prayer daily.

Lectio Divina and a optional contemplative Eucharist will be offered daily for everyone, as well as optional soul-friending with staff.

The retreat will be facilitated by Contemplative Outreach staff: Father Bill Sheehan, OMI, Marty Badgett, Mary Beth Rhiner, Jim McElroy, Kristina Frank and Susie Brent.

To Support Your Retreat Experience:
A daily practice of Centering Prayer for 6 months or longer is recommended.

Schedule:

  • Arrival: Monday, July 6th, 3:00pm
  • Centering Prayer Sit (Optional) at 5:00pm
  • Dinner at 5:30 pm
  • Retreat ends: Monday, July 13th after lunch at 12:30pm

For more information:

retreats@centeringprayerstl.com

Traveling to Mercy Conference and Retreat Center (St. Louis, MO):

Airport transportation may be available from St. Louis Airport for participants arriving on Monday, July 6 between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and departing on the final day between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Travel outside these timeframes can be arranged via Uber or other ride services.
On-site registration begins at 3:00 PM.

Retreat Price:
See retreat prices and room types below.

In the spirit of shared generosity, limited scholarship funds are available to assist those who would otherwise be unable to attend. These funds are made possible by Contemplative Outreach Ltd., COSTL, and generous donors.

Chairs

Join this silent retreat to deepen your understanding and practice of Centering Prayer, reconnecting with the Divine Mystery at the heart of all religious experiences.

Retreat Details – Monday, July 6th – Monday, July 13th

  • Arrival:  3:00 pm on Monday, July 6th
  • Centering Prayer Sit (Optional) at 5:00pm
  • Conversation and  buffet dinner at  5:30-6:30pm 
  • Optional Lectio Divina and contemplative Eucharist daily
  • Departure: after lunch at 12:30 pm, Monday, July 13th

Retreat Location

Mercy Conference and Retreat Center

Address

2039 North Geyer Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63131

Website: mercycenterstl.org

Retreat Director

Fr bill sheehan feb2023

oblate

Father Bill Sheehan


Fr Bill Sheehan, OMI, has served in numerous leadership roles in his Oblate community. He was an integral voice in the earliest days of the centering prayer movement and the eventual founding of Contemplative Outreach by Fr. Thomas Keating, OSCO. For over four decades he has continually offered his gifts of wisdom and presence to the Centering Prayer community, directing retreats throughout the US. We joyfully welcome him back to Missouri to lead us as we pray together in the spacious natural beauty of Mercy Conference Retreat Center.

“The ideal disposition for the divine encounter is the gathering together of one’s whole being in silent and alert attentiveness.”
Fr. Thomas Keating

All inclusive Retreat Pricing

This is an overnight, residential retreat experience. 

All accommodation prices below include:

Optional Lectio Divina, contemplative Eucharist daily, Centering Prayer Sessions and soul friending session
Access to yoga sessions
7 nights stay at this welcoming retreat center in the chosen room* See link below
7 days of buffet meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Access to the natural beauty of 72 acres around Mercy Conference and Retreat Center, including the Labyrinth, a half mile Cosmic Walk with booklet, Stations of the Cross, an exercise room, multiple lounges, dining room and a chapel.

Retreat Accommodation Options & Fees


Registration closes on June 22nd, 2026*
*(MCRC may allow retreatants after this date email retreats@centeringprayerstl.com )


* Prices listed are for early bird pricing. There will be a $50.00 increase in room price on March 1st.

Double Occupancy per person and  Private Bath

$1,040.00

Single Room and Shared Bath (Jack and Jill Style bath)

$1,125.00

Twin Single and Private Bath

$1,225.00

Queen Single and Private Bath

$1,225.00

Waitlist available when retreat fills up. Space is limited.

Refund Policy

To View Pictures of Rooms, Click Here

For more information please email retreats@centeringprayerstl.com Partial scholarships are available inquiries at the same link. retreats@centeringprayerstl.com Thank you!

NOTE: If you are interested in adding one or two extra self directed days after our retreat, please contact Kristin at Mercy  kgoldkamp@mercycenterstl.org

Registration Form

Please list dietary concerns or assistance needed on the registration form below. 

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