Frequently Asked Questions

What is a directed private retreat?

A directed private retreat is a private retreat during which you receive structured spiritual direction from an experienced spiritual director, usually daily.

How does this work?‍

You make your own arrangements for a retreat at a location away from home. During your retreat, you will receive daily spiritual direction from me online via Zoom. Each spiritual direction session lasts one hour.

Where should I make my retreat? ‍ ‍

I recommend that you make your retreat at a retreat center or monastery guest house where daily Mass is available. Some other tranquil location that allows for a retreat marked by solitude and silence may be appropriate. ‍ ‍

Be sure that you will have an Internet connection or cell service adequate for video conferencing.

‍ ‍ ‍

How long is the retreat? ‍ ‍

That is up to you. Common retreat lengths are 3 days and 8 days. If you have never made a 3-day retreat, I recommend you start there.

‍ ‍

Does my retreat have to be silent? ‍

I recommend that you avoid unnecessary conversation during your retreat and spend most of your time in solitude and silence. If you choose to make a silent retreat, you will speak during spiritual direction, during Mass and other Liturgies that you attend, and as necessary for your practical needs. To cultivate interior silence, I strongly recommend disconnecting from your phone and other electronics.

‍ ‍ ‍

Will this be an Ignatian retreat?‍

No, this will not be an Ignatian retreat, although some Ignatian principles of discernment may come up during your spiritual direction.

‍ ‍‍ ‍

How will my retreat be structured? ‍ ‍

We will have a scheduled time each day for spiritual direction. You will structure your own schedule for the remainder of each day. Each day you will receive one or more assigned Scripture passages to pray with before our next spiritual direction session. I encourage daily Mass, journaling, rest, exercise, and light recreational activity (think puzzles or coloring) during your retreat.

‍ ‍‍ ‍

What is your approach to spiritual direction? ‍ ‍

Spiritual direction is about your relationship with God, with the aim and goal that you will grow closer to Him. God is always drawing you to Himself, asking you to bring your whole life to Him and to bring Him into your whole life. As your retreat director, my aim is to be a trusted person to accompany you through your retreat experience. You can bring to spiritual direction anything that comes up during your retreat that you want to share. Faith, prayer life, work, vocation, personal life, relationships, struggles, disappointments, gratitude, suffering, and joys are all appropriate topics for spiritual direction. God is in all of these and so they are all pathways to a closer relationship with Him. ‍ ‍

My training is grounded in Benedictine spirituality, with a focus on the relational and Incarnational aspects of God and prayer.

‍ ‍‍ ‍

Do you only direct retreats for Catholics? ‍ ‍

These retreats are not restricted to Catholics; however, I offer spiritual direction rooted in the Catholic understanding of spirituality and Christian life.

‍ ‍

How much does it cost? ‍ ‍

The cost is $50 per day (one one-hour session) with a 3-day minimum. ‍ ‍

Catholic priests and religious: please contact me for fee waivers and alternate pricing. ‍ ‍

Payment is made online when you book your retreat. A full refund will be issued for cancellations with 7 days’ notice. For cancellations on less than 7 days’ notice, you will receive a refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.   

‍ ‍ ‍

How should I prepare for my retreat? ‍

You have the option of a 15-minute pre-retreat meeting with me to discuss preparation for the retreat (included in the cost of your retreat).‍ ‍

The most important preparation you can do for your retreat is to make a true retreat possible. Make arrangements at home and at work that will allow you to leave without worry about what will be going on in your absence. ‍ ‍

You will need to use a device or smartphone for our Zoom meetings. Except for our meetings, I recommend that you stay off your devices and keep your phone off, unless you have obligations that don’t make this possible. I recommend that you use a filter on your phone so that you will see only truly necessary notifications during your retreat.

‍ ‍

What should I take with me? ‍

• Bible‍

• Journal‍

• Spiritual reading (I recommend taking only one book—or at most two short books—for retreats of 8 days or less) ‍

• Printout of the daily Mass readings for each day of your retreat (this is so that you can read them before Mass without going online) ‍ ‍

• The things you need for one or two light activities: I recommend that you select activities that don’t require an electronic device and that won’t mentally take you out of your retreat—examples: puzzles, coloring, knitting, running, solitaire, Sudoku/crossword    ‍ ‍

• Optional: rosary ‍ ‍

• Walking shoes‍ ‍

• Comfortable clothes

‍ ‍

What should I leave at home? ‍

• Plans for your retreat ‍

• Work ‍

• Reading or anything else that you want to get caught up on‍ ‍

• Planners, to-do lists, schedules

• Electronics unless necessary for essential communications (e.g., emergency contact, communication about care of family members) ‍

• Instructions to family and friends to contact you only in an emergency

‍

What are some books you recommend for spiritual reading during a retreat?‍ ‍

If you're not sure where to begin, I especially recommend Interior Freedom, Searching for and Maintaining Peace, or Time for God for most retreatants.‍ ‍

If you're looking for more reflective or substantial spiritual reading, consider The Hermitage Within, The Story of a Soul, or Poverty of Spirit.‍‍

• Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Philippe

• Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe‍ ‍

• Time for God Fr. Jacques Philippe

• The Hermitage Within by A Monk‍ ‍

• The Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse of Lisieux‍ ‍

• Poverty of Spirit by Johannes Baptist Metz

• Personal Prayer by Fr. Thomas Aklin and Fr. Boniface Hicks  

• Through the Heart of St. Joseph by Fr. Boniface Hicks

• Into Your Hands, Father by Wilfrid Stinissen

• Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence by Rev. Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure and St. Claude de la Colombière‍ ‍

• Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Frances de Sales

‍ ‍ ‍

What is your training? ‍ ‍

I received my Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Institute for Ministry Formation at Saint Vincent Seminary. I expect to earn my Masters in Ministry with Specialization in Spiritual Direction Degree in December 2026.

‍ ‍ ‍

What if I have questions or am not sure if this would be a good fit for me? ‍

Please use one of the options below to schedule a free 15-minute consultation or contact me with questions.

‍