2025-26 Retreat Registration
Our 2025-26 retreats are open for registration. If you encounter any problems while trying to register, please call the office at 847-381-1261.
Retreat Schedule
Let the Earth Rejoice - Encountering Our Common Home
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, July 14, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Benjamin Rogers, SJ
Let the Earth Rejoice: A Day of Retreat Centered on Encountering Our Common Home invites participants into a contemplative space to experience the sacredness of creation and deepen their relationship with God through the natural world. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality and inspired by Laudato Si’, the day offers a rhythm of prayer, reflection, silence, and time in nature to foster spiritual attentiveness and ecological awareness. Through guided talks, silent contemplation, and Eucharistic celebration, retreatants will explore how creation reveals God and how they are called to live in right relationship with the Earth. This retreat is an opportunity to listen, be renewed, and go forth with a deepened sense of connection and commitment to care for our common home.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
July 2025 Individually Directed Retreats
Individually Directed Retreats for Adults
July 18 - 26, 2025
Spiritual Directors:
Bellarmine Jesuit Ministry Team and Additional Spiritual Directors
Come to the quiet of Bellarmine and take some time for yourself to get away from the distractions of life so you can read, write, catch up on sleep and pray. Spiritual Direction is available upon request with advance notice at time of registration. Otherwise, the time is yours to pray and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds. You may register for either five or eight days.
Registration requires a $100 deposit.
For a 5 Night Individually Directed Retreat (early discount of $775 total including deposit ended 3/18/25, now $875)
For a 8 Night Individually Directed Retreat (early discount of $1,075 total including deposit ended 3/18/25, now $1,175)
Costs include all meals and spiritual direction. You can view a list of spiritual directors here.
This retreat is full, but we do expect some cancellations. Please call the office at 847-381-1261 to be added to the waitlist.
Sunday, July 27, 2025
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Bellarmine, 1 pm - 4pm. During this unstructured time you can visit your favorite places on the grounds, take a guided tour, chat with a Jesuit, or experience our new prayer labyrinth. Bring family and friends, all ages welcome. Lemonade and cookies will be served.
Program Cost: This event is free, courtesy of Bellarmine. Free will donations accepted. Registrations are still necessary for an appropriate head count.
Spiritual Exercises in the Jubilee Year of Hope
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
September 5 - 7, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, immerse yourself in the grace of the Spiritual Exercises and rekindle the hope that anchors our faith. Through silence, prayer, and reflection, encounter Christ anew—His mercy, His call, His unwavering presence.
Groups Attending: Individuals, Matt Carpenter, Holy Spirit Catholic Church - Naperville, Mazzuchelli’s Men
Healing of the Heart: Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Charismatic Weekend Retreat for Adults
September 12 - 14, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ, Mark Kwaku Nimo, D. Min. & Fr. Keith Romke
Come to praise and worship the Lord, hear inspiring teachings and powerful witnesses. Come with a hungry heart to experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The retreat is open to seasoned charismatics and those new to the movement.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Learning to be Astonished: Moving from Acceptance to Gratitude
An Ignatian, Recovery Weekend Retreat for Women
September 19 - 21, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Rev. Carol Ann Munro
The 12 Steps offer more than sobriety—they guide us to a full, meaningful life. They deepen our bond with a Higher Power, leading to blessings beyond imagination. This journey moves us from acceptance to profound gratitude.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Growing Closer to God through the Changes in Our Lives
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Overnight Retreat for Adults
September 26 - 27, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $280.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Al Gustafson
The reality of change is the only constant in our human experience. Our fall retreat will invite us to trust this is not something to fear but rather to embrace. Drawing from our Christian tradition and Buddhist spiritual practices, we will discover that change is the portal through which we step toward deepening our experience and trust in the love and mercy of God.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Writer's Retreat
An Ignatian, Semi-Slient Extended Weekend Retreat for Adults
October 2 - 5, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $480.00 per person
Retreat Leaders:
Lisa M. Hendey & Dr. Amy Cattapan
Whether you see yourself as a full-time writer or a part-time hobbyist, God calls us to use the gift of the written word to be of service to others. In this retreat, Catholic authors Lisa M. Hendey and Amy J. Cattapan will explore the ways we can discern how God is calling us to write.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Saving the Best for Last: Aging and the Spiritual Life
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, October 6, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Rosanne Coury
At the wedding feast at Cana, Jesus changes water into wine. The wine he provides is superior to what had been served earlier in the celebration. Jesus saved the best for last.
As we grow older, we often lament the wine of our youth. Our health, stamina, appearance, memory and relationships morph over time. With those changes we may well feel loss and grief. So much of our world seems to shrink.
The spiritual life, however, keeps growing. In our later years we can discover opportunities for deep encounter with God. Our inner landscape reveals vistas unseen in our earlier years. Our inner eye recognizes patterns as we recollect, and our deepest heart awakens to new awareness of the Divine.
During this day of shared reflection, we will explore ways spirituality can be fostered at this time of life. Scripture, prayer, presentation, and silence will aid us on our journey. All you need to bring is an open heart and a curious spirit. The God who made you is anxious to show you the spiritual riches of the later years. See how the Lord continues to save the best for last.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (Savary)
October 10 - March 20, 2026
A Virtual Retreat with Fr. Bill Creed, SJ
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola have been a powerful and resilient force in shaping Christian life and spirituality. Saint Ignatius Loyola believed that well-designed spiritual exercises can help improve and renew one’s spiritual life just as well-designed physical exercises can help improve and renew one’s physical life.
Savary states: “The New Spiritual Exercises in the Spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ focuses on the graces and blessings God gives for consciously creating a positive difference in our world. They are based on the scriptural revelation that God has a great project going on - much more than keeping souls from falling into sin and hell - and that we are all invited to become fully and actively involved in this divine project…In The New Spiritual Exercises you are invited to become a co-creator with God with the divine vision formulated by Jesus: “That all may be one.” John 17:21”
As Savary contemplates the text of Ignatius’ Principle and Foundation, he emphasizes “Ignatian indifference’ concerns our deeper openness. Savary presents the challenge Ignatius and Teilhard make to us today when he states that “ultimately, Ignatian indifference is the freedom to meet God and collaborate with God in all circumstances, even if those circumstances are the opposite of what we instinctively want for others and ourselves. This understanding is an integral part of what Teilhard means by the concept of ‘diminishment.’” (page 48) During this retreat we will be asking “where in this present moment are you receiving the grace where you are being freed to meet God and to collaborate with God in circumstances which are the opposite of what you instinctively want for others and for yourself?”
View the syllabus here before registering.
Program Cost: $500.00
Love Never Fails
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Women
October 10 - 12, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Lauren Hackman-Brooks
How do we respond to Jesus’ instruction to love our neighbor during these polarized times? This retreat engages us in the spiritual work of more freely and fully loving God, ourselves, and others—even (and especially!) those whom we find it hard to love.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Veterans "Coming Home" Retreat
A Veteran's Coming Home Retreat for Adults
Sunday, October 19, 2025
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
A Jesuit and a Team of Veterans
Where do you go to unpack the duffle bag of experiences that were part of your military experience? Here at Bellarmine all veterans and their adult family members are welcome for reflection on the gifts and burdens of have served. Whether you're recently discharged or back in civilian life for many years, this is a day of healing, hope, and sharing with others who understand your story. Open to all faith traditions.
Trusting God in Life’s Twists and Turns: The Conversions of St. Ignatius Loyola
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
October 24 - 26, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Michael J. Graham, SJ
Join us as we explore the life of St. Ignatius Loyola, a journey filled with unexpected twists that shaped his path. Like Ignatius, we, too, face changes that call us to reflect and follow where God leads. This retreat invites you to embrace life’s turns with faith and openness.
Groups Attending: Individuals, St. Laurence - Elgin, St. John Neumann - St. Charles , St. Alexander - Villa Park
Celebrating the 4th Week of the Spiritual Exercises
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
October 31 - November 2, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ
Biblical scholar Fr. Mitch continues his insightful teaching with a deep dive into the psalms of glory, exploring their historical context and connection to the 4th Week of the Spiritual Exercises.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Transforming Grief
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, November 3, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Paula Kowalkowski
This day of reflection will help retreatants transform their grief. More details will be posted in the near future.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
There is a Solution
An Ignatian, Recovery Weekend Retreat for Men
November 7 - 9, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Elizabeth Neubauer
There is no hope for recovery without facing the problems of addiction honestly. Together, we will explore how “the design for living” can be applied to most of the challenges that come our way. Thus, opening a pathway to acceptance, peace, and joy.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Ignatian Spirituality and Yoga
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
November 14 - 16, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $480.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Bobby Karle, SJ
This retreat includes gentle movement, group prayer, silent reflection, small group sharing, and spiritual direction. We will explore the four Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus through the lens of both the Christian and Yoga traditions. Relax, and connect with God, nature, self, and others. No prior experience required.
Groups Attending: Individuals
In Gratitude for our Mind, Body, and Spirit
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Overnight Retreat for Women
November 21 - 22, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $280.00 per person
Retreat Leaders:
Erin Maiorca & Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
St. Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises suggest care for both soul and body. During this retreat we will celebrate the double gifts of our bodies and souls. We will unify our prayers with our breath, and our breath with our movements. We will have sessions to nourish the mind and sessions where we practice Tai Chi. Beginners welcome.
Groups Attending: Individuals
How the 12 Steps Heal
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, November 24, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Rev. Carol Ann Munro, Elizabeth Neubauer & Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ
12-Step spirituality has had a dramatic impact on spiritual practice over the past ninety years. We will explore how the 12-steps help us enrich our relationships with God. If you curious about the 12 steps, work or live with people in recovery, or experience attachments, compulsions, or addictions, you will find this time enlightening.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
November Personal Retreat Days
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
November 24 - 26, 2025
Come to enjoy the quiet of Bellarmine this fall. Spiritual Direction is available upon request if scheduled far enough in advance. Otherwise, enjoy the time to pray, rest and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds.
Registration deadline: November 19
Single Night Cost: $175.00
Two Nights or more: $160.00 per night
Morning of Prayer with the Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Bill Creed, SJ
Here are a few words: A morning of Advent Prayer invites us to prepare to welcome Christ’s birth today in our world and in us. Pray with the Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins and his hope-filled words: “the world is charged with the grandeur of God,” “the Holy Spirit over the bent world broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings,” “I am all at once what Christ is…immortal diamond.”
The afternoon will allow retreatants to enjoy Bellarmine's grounds in silent reflection.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
A Retreat with St. Peter: Growing from Sinner to Saint
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
December 5 - 7, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
Experience the Spiritual Exercises by taking a deep dive into the life of Simon, named Peter, the rock, by Jesus. Just as he has two names, so he has two distinct sides to his personality. He is gentle, but bold; foolish, yet wise, and human. Together we’ll pray about what it means to belong to a Church that is larger than the sum of its members.
Groups Attending: Individuals, Holy Spirit (Naperville)
Practice Makes Progress
An Ignatian, Recovery Weekend Retreat for Men
December 12 - 14, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Tom Weston, SJ
Discover the wisdom of the 12 Steps as a pathway to a more peaceful and joy-filled life. This retreat offers practical tools and spiritual insights to help us live with grace, humility, and gratitude—one day at a time. Step away from the noise and deepen your connection with God.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Christmas Tea: Fr. Michael’s Stories of the Birth of Jesus
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, December 15, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ, Terri Davis, Dev Kennedy & Paula Kowalkowski
An Advent favorite for many years now, Fr Michael and his talented friends Terri, Dev, and Paula reprise his imaginative retelling of the Christmas story. Back from popular demand, this day of prayer, songs, and stories is sure to touch your heart, tickle your funny bone, and deepen your appreciation of what this holy season is all about.
Program Cost: $100.00 (includes Lunch)
December Personal Retreat Days
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
December 15 - 18, 2025
Come to enjoy the quiet of Bellarmine this Advent. Spiritual Direction is available upon request if scheduled far enough in advance. Otherwise, enjoy the time to pray, rest and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds.
Registration deadline: December 10
Single Night Cost: $175.00
Two Nights or more: $160.00 per night
Knowing Christ
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
January 2 - 4, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Christopher Manahan, SJ
If I desire to follow Jesus Christ in my life, I have to come to know him. On this retreat, we will follow in the footsteps of St. Ignatius of Loyola in seeking to be a companion of Jesus.
Groups Attending: Individuals, Four Shepherds
Putting Things Right
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
January 9 - 11, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Keith Muccino, SJ
”All creation groans, longing for restoration” (Romans 8:22). In this retreat, we seek the God of justice, who makes all things new. Drawing on the wisdom of N.T. Wright, we will explore how God is ever at work, reconciling the world to Himself—restoring justice, healing brokenness, and calling us into right relationship with Him and one another.
Groups Attending: Individuals, St. Mary - Lake Forest
Trusting God in Life’s Twists and Turns: The Conversions of St. Ignatius Loyola
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
January 16 - 18, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Michael J. Graham, SJ
Life rarely follows a straight path. Unexpected joys, sudden losses, new opportunities, and unforeseen challenges all shape our journey. In these moments of uncertainty, we are invited to pause, reflect, and seek where God is leading us.
This retreat offers a sacred space to explore the ways in which life’s detours and disruptions are not obstacles, but invitations—callings to trust, to grow, and to deepen our relationship with God. Through guided reflections rooted in Ignatian spirituality, personal prayer, and quiet contemplation, we will consider how God is present in the unexpected, gently guiding us toward a future filled with grace.
Come with an open heart, ready to listen to the stirrings of the Spirit. Together, in the silence and beauty of retreat, we will discern how life’s twists and turns are shaping us for something greater—leading us ever closer to God’s loving embrace.
Groups Attending: Individuals, St. Vincent Ferrer - River Forest, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Men - Glenview, Ken Murphy Group
The Spiritual Exercises and Hope
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
January 23 - 25, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
Experience the transformative power of the Spiritual Exercises, where hope takes root and faith is renewed. Through prayer, reflection, and silence, encounter Christ’s presence in your journey. Come, rest in God’s love, and rediscover the hope that sustains us.
Groups Attending: Individuals, Roche/Zera, Sts Faith Hope & Charity - Winnetka
A Retreat with St. Peter: Growing from Sinner to Saint
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Women
January 30 - February 1, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
Experience the Spiritual Exercises by taking a deep dive into the life of Simon, named Peter, the rock, by Jesus. Just as he has two names, so he has two distinct sides to his personality. He is gentle, but bold; foolish, yet wise, and human. Together we’ll pray about what it means to belong to a Church that is larger than the sum of its members.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Couple's Evening of Reflection
An Evening of Reflection for Couples
Friday, February 6, 2026
4:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
This evening will allow sacramentally married couples to renew their wedding vows before Valentine's Day. A short social, Mass, and a wonderful dinner will allow couples to enjoy an evening together and reflect on their marriage on our sacred grounds.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Dinner)
Where Two are Gathered: Nurturing a Strengths-Based Relationship
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Saturday, February 7, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Molly Henry
Whether engaged, newly married or approaching a milestone anniversary, whether looking to develop a richer committed relationship, friendship or connection with a family member, our day together will help to strengthen this important partnership and increase gratitude and joy in both of your lives.
Through the principles and practices of Ignatian spirituality and strengths-based development, you will gain awareness of and appreciation for your God-given talents and those of your partner. You’ll also discover the value you each bring and what you need to thrive. Together, you will determine how to intentionally bring out the best in each other and make the most of your relationship.
Prior to the retreat, you will each complete a research-based online assessment to discover your greatest talents. The registration fee includes the cost of the assessments.
The deadline to register for this retreat is Friday, January 16, 2026. Participants will need to complete a CliftonStrengths Online Talent Assessment by January 22nd, so that they can discuss them with their partner during this day program. The cost of the online assessment is included in this program.
Please note, that this retreat will involve partners talking to each other and has more time discussion than a usual Bellarmine day program.
Program Cost: $100.00 (includes Lunch)
Ash Wednesday: Between Promise and Fulfillment
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ
We await the birth of Christ Incarnate—the Word made flesh, the Light breaking into our darkness. In this sacred season of Advent, we are invited to listen deeply to the ancient songs and prophetic voices that echo with longing and hope. The scriptures stir our hearts, shaping the contours of our prayer with images of endings and beginnings.
Advent does not simply anticipate a birth—it announces a breaking open. The world as we know it, built on self-sufficiency, endless striving, and the illusion of earning love, begins to crumble. The voice in the wilderness calls us to let go, to make straight the path for something radically new: a God who comes not in power, but in vulnerability.
On this Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection, we will rest in the silence of sacred space and let the Word of God awaken us. Through Ignatian prayer and stillness, we will explore how the Advent scriptures prepare our hearts to receive Emmanuel, God-with-us, who comes as gift, not reward.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Spiritual Reset: A Winter Respite to Calm Our Minds & Hearts
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Overnight Retreat for Adults
February 20 - 21, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $280.00 per person
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ & Elizabeth Neubauer
Take time away from the frenetic pace of life to catch your spiritual breath. During this mini-retreat we will delve into the timeless wisdom of the Spiritual Exercises and the deep calm of mindfulness and centering prayer. Together, these spiritual practices can help restore balance in your heart and mind.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Trusting God in Life’s Twists and Turns: The Conversions of St. Ignatius Loyola
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
February 27 - March 1, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Michael J. Graham, SJ
Life is a journey filled with unexpected turns—some joyful, some challenging, and many that leave us wondering where God is leading us. In these moments of uncertainty, we are called not only to adapt but to listen more deeply to the voice of God guiding us forward.
This retreat invites you to step away from the noise of daily life and reflect on how life’s surprises—both welcome and unwelcome—shape your spiritual path. Through Ignatian prayer, quiet contemplation, and shared wisdom, we will explore how God is present in the unfolding of our lives, constantly inviting us into deeper trust and transformation.
Where is God calling you now? How can you embrace the unknown with faith? Together, in the stillness of retreat, we will seek clarity, peace, and the courage to follow where God leads.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Gospel Parables and the Spiritual Exercises
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
March 6 - 8, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Jim Flaherty, SJ
Jesus’ parables invite us to see with new eyes, to listen with open hearts, and to step deeper into God’s story. This retreat weaves together the wisdom of the Gospel parables with the rich spirituality of the Spiritual Exercises, helping us to encounter Christ in a personal and transformative way.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Lent as Pilgrimage: The Journey Toward God
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, March 9, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Rachel Forton & Paula Kowalkowski
The call to leave one’s familiar surroundings and go to sacred places has been a part of the human experience for thousands of years. St. Ignatius referred to himself as a pilgrim viewing life as a journey toward heaven. Come and see what pilgrimage is through the eyes of retreat leaders Nancy Hulsebosch and Paula Kowalkowski who have recently walked part of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. There will be time to explore the beautiful grounds at Bellarmine and walk the labyrinth with instruction from retreat leader Rachel Forton.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Opening the Doors to Recovery
An Ignatian, Recovery Weekend Retreat for Men
March 13 - 15, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Ruth Hoenick
Within each of us is a sacred doorway—one that leads to deeper understanding, healing, and transformation. This retreat invites you to gently open that door, to glance back at the path you have traveled, and to step forward into a new way of living with God at your side.
Together, we will look upon our relationship with God with fresh eyes, embracing creativity and openness as we discern where the Spirit is leading us next. In this sacred time, may we find the courage to step through the threshold of our hearts into a life of deeper faith, freedom, and love.
Groups Attending: Individuals
The Trauma-Informed Spiritual Exercises: Growing Your Ignatian Spiritual and Pastoral Caregiving Skills
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
March 20 - 22, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Rob McChesney, SJ
The American Psychological Association calls trauma “an emotional response to a terrible event.” Research indicates that about 70% of people worldwide have been exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lives: suffering injuries to body, mind, brain, and spirit. In the Christian tradition, these human components do not function separately but are understood holistically as the “soul.”
Most people are familiar with the term “posttraumatic stress disorder” (PTSD). However, the ancient Greek word for trauma means a wound—not a disorder—inflicted upon the body by an act of violence. God’s people are wounded, and those entrusted with the care of souls are called to respond.
This weekend offering is designed for the personal and professional development of Ignatian spiritual and pastoral caregivers—including those in parish, educational, or healthcare settings—who are seeking to grow their trauma-informed self-awareness and skills. Grounded in Fr. McChesney's book on mental health and Ignatian spirituality, it will: 1) situate Saint Ignatius in light of contemporary trauma theory; 2) examine the significance of "soul-healing"; in Christian and Ignatian tradition; and 3) identify and discuss particular Ignatian spiritual insights and practices adapted to noticing and caring for the wounded among us, many of whom are journeying through posttraumatic growth in the wake of “moral injury trauma” or “spiritual injury trauma.”
A hybrid workshop/retreat, it will include input and exercises from the facilitators, dialogue and faith sharing among participants, and time for both liturgical and personal prayer.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Ignatian Contemplation and Our Interior Life (Palm Sunday)
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
March 27 - 29, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Jeff Putthoff, SJ
During this retreat, we will step into the sacred stories of Scripture with the gift of imagination, allowing the Word to come alive in a deeply personal way. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, our journey will invite us into intimate prayer, where we can bring our whole selves before God—our joys and sorrows, our anxieties and peace—trusting that Jesus meets us where we are. As we walk alongside Him in the Gospels, we will listen with our hearts, explore our emotions openly, and discover how the Spirit moves within us, drawing us ever closer to divine love and guidance.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Lenten Day of Prayer: Paying Attention
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, March 30, 2026
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Cameron Bellm
"Attention is the beginning of devotion." --Mary Oliver
"Attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer. It presupposes faith and love. Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer." --Simone Weil
Many artists, poets, and mystics believed that attention was central to the spiritual life, to our experience of God and the world around us. We'll spend this day of reflection drinking deeply from the well of their wisdom, with time to enter into the fullness of God's loving gaze upon us and to practice turning our own loving gaze upon others and upon the wonders of creation. We'll be nourished, together, by the intertwined mysteries of prayer and attention.
We will close the day with the stations of the cross through Mary's eyes, giving us an opportunity to turn our attention and compassion upon all who are suffering and to enter into the Triduum with sensitive and open hearts.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Walking with Christ
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
April 2 - 4, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ
Enter into the sacred journey of Holy Week with prayer, reflection, and silence. As we walk alongside Jesus, from the Upper Room to the Cross and into the hope of the Resurrection, we’ll listen deeply to His call and open our hearts to His grace. Through Scripture, Ignatian contemplation, and quiet time with God, this retreat invites you to experience the depth of Christ’s love and the promise of new life.
Groups Attending: Individuals
The Glory of Christ in the Psalms: Celebrating the 4th Week of the Spiritual Exercises
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
April 17 - 19, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ
Biblical scholar Fr. Mitch continues his insightful teaching with a deep dive into the psalms of glory, exploring their historical context and connection to the 4th Week of the Spiritual Exercises—the joy of Christ’s Resurrection.
Groups Attending: Individuals
To Proclaim A Year of Favor from the Lord: A Day of Healing Prayer
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ & A Team of Healers
Come to this day to pray for yourself and for your loved ones. Fr. Michael will introduce us to variety of ways of praying for healing - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For as many of the retreatants as time allows, there will be the opportunity for brief individual prayer with members of a prayer team The day includes a “Healing Mass” and a closing Healing Prayer Service with Eucharistic Adoration.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Prayer in Real Life
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Women
May 1 - 3, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Vinita Hampton Wright
Prayer isn’t just for quiet moments—it’s meant to weave through the ordinary rhythms of our days. This retreat invites you to explore practical, meaningful ways to connect with God in the midst of real life. Through reflection, conversation, and quiet time, discover how prayer can be a steady companion—whether in joy, struggle, work, or rest.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Graced Encounters with Christ
A Day of Reflection for Women
Friday, May 8, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Sharon Krone
Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” On this sacred day of reflection, we gather to rest in the assurance of His constant presence. Through Scripture, we will listen for the gentle whisper of His voice. In prayerful silence, we will open our hearts to the Spirit moving within. As we remember moments of grace in our lives, we will recognize the footprints of Christ walking beside us. And in faith-sharing with fellow pilgrims, we will glimpse the face of Jesus in one another.
Come away for a while and be renewed by the quiet beauty of the day—a time to encounter the living Christ who is already here, waiting to meet you in the stillness.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Veterans "Coming Home" Retreat
A Veteran's Coming Home Retreat for Adults
Sunday, May 17, 2026
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
A Jesuit and a Team of Veterans
Where do you go to unpack the duffle bag of experiences that were part of your military experience? Here at Bellarmine all veterans and their adult family members are welcome for reflection on the gifts and burdens of have served. Whether you're recently discharged or back in civilian life for many years, this is a day of healing, hope, and sharing with others who understand your story. Open to all faith traditions.
Peace & Quiet Day
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
Friday, June 19, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
This quiet day is an opportunity to enjoy Bellarmine's sacred grounds without the interruptions of a regular day. While there are no talks or presentations for this day, an optional Mass is included along with breakfast and lunch.
The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (Savary)
October 10 - March 20, 2026
A Virtual Retreat with Fr. Bill Creed, SJ
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola have been a powerful and resilient force in shaping Christian life and spirituality. Saint Ignatius Loyola believed that well-designed spiritual exercises can help improve and renew one’s spiritual life just as well-designed physical exercises can help improve and renew one’s physical life.
Savary states: “The New Spiritual Exercises in the Spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ focuses on the graces and blessings God gives for consciously creating a positive difference in our world. They are based on the scriptural revelation that God has a great project going on - much more than keeping souls from falling into sin and hell - and that we are all invited to become fully and actively involved in this divine project…In The New Spiritual Exercises you are invited to become a co-creator with God with the divine vision formulated by Jesus: “That all may be one.” John 17:21”
As Savary contemplates the text of Ignatius’ Principle and Foundation, he emphasizes “Ignatian indifference’ concerns our deeper openness. Savary presents the challenge Ignatius and Teilhard make to us today when he states that “ultimately, Ignatian indifference is the freedom to meet God and collaborate with God in all circumstances, even if those circumstances are the opposite of what we instinctively want for others and ourselves. This understanding is an integral part of what Teilhard means by the concept of ‘diminishment.’” (page 48) During this retreat we will be asking “where in this present moment are you receiving the grace where you are being freed to meet God and to collaborate with God in circumstances which are the opposite of what you instinctively want for others and for yourself?”
View the syllabus here before registering.
Program Cost: $500.00
Spiritual Exercises in the Jubilee Year of Hope
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
September 5 - 7, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, immerse yourself in the grace of the Spiritual Exercises and rekindle the hope that anchors our faith. Through silence, prayer, and reflection, encounter Christ anew—His mercy, His call, His unwavering presence.
Groups Attending: Individuals, Matt Carpenter, Holy Spirit Catholic Church - Naperville, Mazzuchelli’s Men
Trusting God in Life’s Twists and Turns: The Conversions of St. Ignatius Loyola
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
October 24 - 26, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Michael J. Graham, SJ
Join us as we explore the life of St. Ignatius Loyola, a journey filled with unexpected twists that shaped his path. Like Ignatius, we, too, face changes that call us to reflect and follow where God leads. This retreat invites you to embrace life’s turns with faith and openness.
Groups Attending: Individuals, St. Laurence - Elgin, St. John Neumann - St. Charles , St. Alexander - Villa Park
A Retreat with St. Peter: Growing from Sinner to Saint
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
December 5 - 7, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
Experience the Spiritual Exercises by taking a deep dive into the life of Simon, named Peter, the rock, by Jesus. Just as he has two names, so he has two distinct sides to his personality. He is gentle, but bold; foolish, yet wise, and human. Together we’ll pray about what it means to belong to a Church that is larger than the sum of its members.
Groups Attending: Individuals, Holy Spirit (Naperville)
Knowing Christ
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
January 2 - 4, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Christopher Manahan, SJ
If I desire to follow Jesus Christ in my life, I have to come to know him. On this retreat, we will follow in the footsteps of St. Ignatius of Loyola in seeking to be a companion of Jesus.
Groups Attending: Individuals, Four Shepherds
Putting Things Right
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
January 9 - 11, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Keith Muccino, SJ
”All creation groans, longing for restoration” (Romans 8:22). In this retreat, we seek the God of justice, who makes all things new. Drawing on the wisdom of N.T. Wright, we will explore how God is ever at work, reconciling the world to Himself—restoring justice, healing brokenness, and calling us into right relationship with Him and one another.
Groups Attending: Individuals, St. Mary - Lake Forest
Trusting God in Life’s Twists and Turns: The Conversions of St. Ignatius Loyola
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
January 16 - 18, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Michael J. Graham, SJ
Life rarely follows a straight path. Unexpected joys, sudden losses, new opportunities, and unforeseen challenges all shape our journey. In these moments of uncertainty, we are invited to pause, reflect, and seek where God is leading us.
This retreat offers a sacred space to explore the ways in which life’s detours and disruptions are not obstacles, but invitations—callings to trust, to grow, and to deepen our relationship with God. Through guided reflections rooted in Ignatian spirituality, personal prayer, and quiet contemplation, we will consider how God is present in the unexpected, gently guiding us toward a future filled with grace.
Come with an open heart, ready to listen to the stirrings of the Spirit. Together, in the silence and beauty of retreat, we will discern how life’s twists and turns are shaping us for something greater—leading us ever closer to God’s loving embrace.
Groups Attending: Individuals, St. Vincent Ferrer - River Forest, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Men - Glenview, Ken Murphy Group
The Spiritual Exercises and Hope
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
January 23 - 25, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Jim Kubicki, SJ
Experience the transformative power of the Spiritual Exercises, where hope takes root and faith is renewed. Through prayer, reflection, and silence, encounter Christ’s presence in your journey. Come, rest in God’s love, and rediscover the hope that sustains us.
Groups Attending: Individuals, Roche/Zera, Sts Faith Hope & Charity - Winnetka
Gospel Parables and the Spiritual Exercises
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
March 6 - 8, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Jim Flaherty, SJ
Jesus’ parables invite us to see with new eyes, to listen with open hearts, and to step deeper into God’s story. This retreat weaves together the wisdom of the Gospel parables with the rich spirituality of the Spiritual Exercises, helping us to encounter Christ in a personal and transformative way.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Ignatian Contemplation and Our Interior Life (Palm Sunday)
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
March 27 - 29, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Jeff Putthoff, SJ
During this retreat, we will step into the sacred stories of Scripture with the gift of imagination, allowing the Word to come alive in a deeply personal way. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, our journey will invite us into intimate prayer, where we can bring our whole selves before God—our joys and sorrows, our anxieties and peace—trusting that Jesus meets us where we are. As we walk alongside Him in the Gospels, we will listen with our hearts, explore our emotions openly, and discover how the Spirit moves within us, drawing us ever closer to divine love and guidance.
Groups Attending: Individuals
The Glory of Christ in the Psalms: Celebrating the 4th Week of the Spiritual Exercises
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Men
April 17 - 19, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ
Biblical scholar Fr. Mitch continues his insightful teaching with a deep dive into the psalms of glory, exploring their historical context and connection to the 4th Week of the Spiritual Exercises—the joy of Christ’s Resurrection.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Love Never Fails
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Women
October 10 - 12, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Lauren Hackman-Brooks
How do we respond to Jesus’ instruction to love our neighbor during these polarized times? This retreat engages us in the spiritual work of more freely and fully loving God, ourselves, and others—even (and especially!) those whom we find it hard to love.
Groups Attending: Individuals
In Gratitude for our Mind, Body, and Spirit
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Overnight Retreat for Women
November 21 - 22, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $280.00 per person
Retreat Leaders:
Erin Maiorca & Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
St. Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises suggest care for both soul and body. During this retreat we will celebrate the double gifts of our bodies and souls. We will unify our prayers with our breath, and our breath with our movements. We will have sessions to nourish the mind and sessions where we practice Tai Chi. Beginners welcome.
Groups Attending: Individuals
A Retreat with St. Peter: Growing from Sinner to Saint
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Women
January 30 - February 1, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
Experience the Spiritual Exercises by taking a deep dive into the life of Simon, named Peter, the rock, by Jesus. Just as he has two names, so he has two distinct sides to his personality. He is gentle, but bold; foolish, yet wise, and human. Together we’ll pray about what it means to belong to a Church that is larger than the sum of its members.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Prayer in Real Life
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Women
May 1 - 3, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Vinita Hampton Wright
Prayer isn’t just for quiet moments—it’s meant to weave through the ordinary rhythms of our days. This retreat invites you to explore practical, meaningful ways to connect with God in the midst of real life. Through reflection, conversation, and quiet time, discover how prayer can be a steady companion—whether in joy, struggle, work, or rest.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Graced Encounters with Christ
A Day of Reflection for Women
Friday, May 8, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Sharon Krone
Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” On this sacred day of reflection, we gather to rest in the assurance of His constant presence. Through Scripture, we will listen for the gentle whisper of His voice. In prayerful silence, we will open our hearts to the Spirit moving within. As we remember moments of grace in our lives, we will recognize the footprints of Christ walking beside us. And in faith-sharing with fellow pilgrims, we will glimpse the face of Jesus in one another.
Come away for a while and be renewed by the quiet beauty of the day—a time to encounter the living Christ who is already here, waiting to meet you in the stillness.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Let the Earth Rejoice - Encountering Our Common Home
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, July 14, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Benjamin Rogers, SJ
Let the Earth Rejoice: A Day of Retreat Centered on Encountering Our Common Home invites participants into a contemplative space to experience the sacredness of creation and deepen their relationship with God through the natural world. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality and inspired by Laudato Si’, the day offers a rhythm of prayer, reflection, silence, and time in nature to foster spiritual attentiveness and ecological awareness. Through guided talks, silent contemplation, and Eucharistic celebration, retreatants will explore how creation reveals God and how they are called to live in right relationship with the Earth. This retreat is an opportunity to listen, be renewed, and go forth with a deepened sense of connection and commitment to care for our common home.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
July 2025 Individually Directed Retreats
Individually Directed Retreats for Adults
July 18 - 26, 2025
Spiritual Directors:
Bellarmine Jesuit Ministry Team and Additional Spiritual Directors
Come to the quiet of Bellarmine and take some time for yourself to get away from the distractions of life so you can read, write, catch up on sleep and pray. Spiritual Direction is available upon request with advance notice at time of registration. Otherwise, the time is yours to pray and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds. You may register for either five or eight days.
Registration requires a $100 deposit.
For a 5 Night Individually Directed Retreat (early discount of $775 total including deposit ended 3/18/25, now $875)
For a 8 Night Individually Directed Retreat (early discount of $1,075 total including deposit ended 3/18/25, now $1,175)
Costs include all meals and spiritual direction. You can view a list of spiritual directors here.
This retreat is full, but we do expect some cancellations. Please call the office at 847-381-1261 to be added to the waitlist.
Sunday, July 27, 2025
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Bellarmine, 1 pm - 4pm. During this unstructured time you can visit your favorite places on the grounds, take a guided tour, chat with a Jesuit, or experience our new prayer labyrinth. Bring family and friends, all ages welcome. Lemonade and cookies will be served.
Program Cost: This event is free, courtesy of Bellarmine. Free will donations accepted. Registrations are still necessary for an appropriate head count.
Healing of the Heart: Behold I Stand at the Door and Knock
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Charismatic Weekend Retreat for Adults
September 12 - 14, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ, Mark Kwaku Nimo, D. Min. & Fr. Keith Romke
Come to praise and worship the Lord, hear inspiring teachings and powerful witnesses. Come with a hungry heart to experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The retreat is open to seasoned charismatics and those new to the movement.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Growing Closer to God through the Changes in Our Lives
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Overnight Retreat for Adults
September 26 - 27, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $280.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Al Gustafson
The reality of change is the only constant in our human experience. Our fall retreat will invite us to trust this is not something to fear but rather to embrace. Drawing from our Christian tradition and Buddhist spiritual practices, we will discover that change is the portal through which we step toward deepening our experience and trust in the love and mercy of God.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Writer's Retreat
An Ignatian, Semi-Slient Extended Weekend Retreat for Adults
October 2 - 5, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $480.00 per person
Retreat Leaders:
Lisa M. Hendey & Dr. Amy Cattapan
Whether you see yourself as a full-time writer or a part-time hobbyist, God calls us to use the gift of the written word to be of service to others. In this retreat, Catholic authors Lisa M. Hendey and Amy J. Cattapan will explore the ways we can discern how God is calling us to write.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Saving the Best for Last: Aging and the Spiritual Life
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, October 6, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Rosanne Coury
At the wedding feast at Cana, Jesus changes water into wine. The wine he provides is superior to what had been served earlier in the celebration. Jesus saved the best for last.
As we grow older, we often lament the wine of our youth. Our health, stamina, appearance, memory and relationships morph over time. With those changes we may well feel loss and grief. So much of our world seems to shrink.
The spiritual life, however, keeps growing. In our later years we can discover opportunities for deep encounter with God. Our inner landscape reveals vistas unseen in our earlier years. Our inner eye recognizes patterns as we recollect, and our deepest heart awakens to new awareness of the Divine.
During this day of shared reflection, we will explore ways spirituality can be fostered at this time of life. Scripture, prayer, presentation, and silence will aid us on our journey. All you need to bring is an open heart and a curious spirit. The God who made you is anxious to show you the spiritual riches of the later years. See how the Lord continues to save the best for last.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (Savary)
October 10 - March 20, 2026
A Virtual Retreat with Fr. Bill Creed, SJ
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola have been a powerful and resilient force in shaping Christian life and spirituality. Saint Ignatius Loyola believed that well-designed spiritual exercises can help improve and renew one’s spiritual life just as well-designed physical exercises can help improve and renew one’s physical life.
Savary states: “The New Spiritual Exercises in the Spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ focuses on the graces and blessings God gives for consciously creating a positive difference in our world. They are based on the scriptural revelation that God has a great project going on - much more than keeping souls from falling into sin and hell - and that we are all invited to become fully and actively involved in this divine project…In The New Spiritual Exercises you are invited to become a co-creator with God with the divine vision formulated by Jesus: “That all may be one.” John 17:21”
As Savary contemplates the text of Ignatius’ Principle and Foundation, he emphasizes “Ignatian indifference’ concerns our deeper openness. Savary presents the challenge Ignatius and Teilhard make to us today when he states that “ultimately, Ignatian indifference is the freedom to meet God and collaborate with God in all circumstances, even if those circumstances are the opposite of what we instinctively want for others and ourselves. This understanding is an integral part of what Teilhard means by the concept of ‘diminishment.’” (page 48) During this retreat we will be asking “where in this present moment are you receiving the grace where you are being freed to meet God and to collaborate with God in circumstances which are the opposite of what you instinctively want for others and for yourself?”
View the syllabus here before registering.
Program Cost: $500.00
Veterans "Coming Home" Retreat
A Veteran's Coming Home Retreat for Adults
Sunday, October 19, 2025
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
A Jesuit and a Team of Veterans
Where do you go to unpack the duffle bag of experiences that were part of your military experience? Here at Bellarmine all veterans and their adult family members are welcome for reflection on the gifts and burdens of have served. Whether you're recently discharged or back in civilian life for many years, this is a day of healing, hope, and sharing with others who understand your story. Open to all faith traditions.
Celebrating the 4th Week of the Spiritual Exercises
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
October 31 - November 2, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ
Biblical scholar Fr. Mitch continues his insightful teaching with a deep dive into the psalms of glory, exploring their historical context and connection to the 4th Week of the Spiritual Exercises.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Transforming Grief
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, November 3, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Paula Kowalkowski
This day of reflection will help retreatants transform their grief. More details will be posted in the near future.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Ignatian Spirituality and Yoga
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
November 14 - 16, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $480.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Bobby Karle, SJ
This retreat includes gentle movement, group prayer, silent reflection, small group sharing, and spiritual direction. We will explore the four Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus through the lens of both the Christian and Yoga traditions. Relax, and connect with God, nature, self, and others. No prior experience required.
Groups Attending: Individuals
How the 12 Steps Heal
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, November 24, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Rev. Carol Ann Munro, Elizabeth Neubauer & Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ
12-Step spirituality has had a dramatic impact on spiritual practice over the past ninety years. We will explore how the 12-steps help us enrich our relationships with God. If you curious about the 12 steps, work or live with people in recovery, or experience attachments, compulsions, or addictions, you will find this time enlightening.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
November Personal Retreat Days
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
November 24 - 26, 2025
Come to enjoy the quiet of Bellarmine this fall. Spiritual Direction is available upon request if scheduled far enough in advance. Otherwise, enjoy the time to pray, rest and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds.
Registration deadline: November 19
Single Night Cost: $175.00
Two Nights or more: $160.00 per night
Morning of Prayer with the Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Bill Creed, SJ
Here are a few words: A morning of Advent Prayer invites us to prepare to welcome Christ’s birth today in our world and in us. Pray with the Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins and his hope-filled words: “the world is charged with the grandeur of God,” “the Holy Spirit over the bent world broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings,” “I am all at once what Christ is…immortal diamond.”
The afternoon will allow retreatants to enjoy Bellarmine's grounds in silent reflection.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Christmas Tea: Fr. Michael’s Stories of the Birth of Jesus
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, December 15, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ, Terri Davis, Dev Kennedy & Paula Kowalkowski
An Advent favorite for many years now, Fr Michael and his talented friends Terri, Dev, and Paula reprise his imaginative retelling of the Christmas story. Back from popular demand, this day of prayer, songs, and stories is sure to touch your heart, tickle your funny bone, and deepen your appreciation of what this holy season is all about.
Program Cost: $100.00 (includes Lunch)
December Personal Retreat Days
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
December 15 - 18, 2025
Come to enjoy the quiet of Bellarmine this Advent. Spiritual Direction is available upon request if scheduled far enough in advance. Otherwise, enjoy the time to pray, rest and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds.
Registration deadline: December 10
Single Night Cost: $175.00
Two Nights or more: $160.00 per night
Where Two are Gathered: Nurturing a Strengths-Based Relationship
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Saturday, February 7, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Molly Henry
Whether engaged, newly married or approaching a milestone anniversary, whether looking to develop a richer committed relationship, friendship or connection with a family member, our day together will help to strengthen this important partnership and increase gratitude and joy in both of your lives.
Through the principles and practices of Ignatian spirituality and strengths-based development, you will gain awareness of and appreciation for your God-given talents and those of your partner. You’ll also discover the value you each bring and what you need to thrive. Together, you will determine how to intentionally bring out the best in each other and make the most of your relationship.
Prior to the retreat, you will each complete a research-based online assessment to discover your greatest talents. The registration fee includes the cost of the assessments.
The deadline to register for this retreat is Friday, January 16, 2026. Participants will need to complete a CliftonStrengths Online Talent Assessment by January 22nd, so that they can discuss them with their partner during this day program. The cost of the online assessment is included in this program.
Please note, that this retreat will involve partners talking to each other and has more time discussion than a usual Bellarmine day program.
Program Cost: $100.00 (includes Lunch)
Ash Wednesday: Between Promise and Fulfillment
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ
We await the birth of Christ Incarnate—the Word made flesh, the Light breaking into our darkness. In this sacred season of Advent, we are invited to listen deeply to the ancient songs and prophetic voices that echo with longing and hope. The scriptures stir our hearts, shaping the contours of our prayer with images of endings and beginnings.
Advent does not simply anticipate a birth—it announces a breaking open. The world as we know it, built on self-sufficiency, endless striving, and the illusion of earning love, begins to crumble. The voice in the wilderness calls us to let go, to make straight the path for something radically new: a God who comes not in power, but in vulnerability.
On this Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection, we will rest in the silence of sacred space and let the Word of God awaken us. Through Ignatian prayer and stillness, we will explore how the Advent scriptures prepare our hearts to receive Emmanuel, God-with-us, who comes as gift, not reward.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Spiritual Reset: A Winter Respite to Calm Our Minds & Hearts
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Overnight Retreat for Adults
February 20 - 21, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $280.00 per person
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ & Elizabeth Neubauer
Take time away from the frenetic pace of life to catch your spiritual breath. During this mini-retreat we will delve into the timeless wisdom of the Spiritual Exercises and the deep calm of mindfulness and centering prayer. Together, these spiritual practices can help restore balance in your heart and mind.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Trusting God in Life’s Twists and Turns: The Conversions of St. Ignatius Loyola
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
February 27 - March 1, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Michael J. Graham, SJ
Life is a journey filled with unexpected turns—some joyful, some challenging, and many that leave us wondering where God is leading us. In these moments of uncertainty, we are called not only to adapt but to listen more deeply to the voice of God guiding us forward.
This retreat invites you to step away from the noise of daily life and reflect on how life’s surprises—both welcome and unwelcome—shape your spiritual path. Through Ignatian prayer, quiet contemplation, and shared wisdom, we will explore how God is present in the unfolding of our lives, constantly inviting us into deeper trust and transformation.
Where is God calling you now? How can you embrace the unknown with faith? Together, in the stillness of retreat, we will seek clarity, peace, and the courage to follow where God leads.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Lent as Pilgrimage: The Journey Toward God
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, March 9, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Rachel Forton & Paula Kowalkowski
The call to leave one’s familiar surroundings and go to sacred places has been a part of the human experience for thousands of years. St. Ignatius referred to himself as a pilgrim viewing life as a journey toward heaven. Come and see what pilgrimage is through the eyes of retreat leaders Nancy Hulsebosch and Paula Kowalkowski who have recently walked part of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. There will be time to explore the beautiful grounds at Bellarmine and walk the labyrinth with instruction from retreat leader Rachel Forton.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
The Trauma-Informed Spiritual Exercises: Growing Your Ignatian Spiritual and Pastoral Caregiving Skills
An Ignatian, Semi-Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
March 20 - 22, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Rob McChesney, SJ
The American Psychological Association calls trauma “an emotional response to a terrible event.” Research indicates that about 70% of people worldwide have been exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lives: suffering injuries to body, mind, brain, and spirit. In the Christian tradition, these human components do not function separately but are understood holistically as the “soul.”
Most people are familiar with the term “posttraumatic stress disorder” (PTSD). However, the ancient Greek word for trauma means a wound—not a disorder—inflicted upon the body by an act of violence. God’s people are wounded, and those entrusted with the care of souls are called to respond.
This weekend offering is designed for the personal and professional development of Ignatian spiritual and pastoral caregivers—including those in parish, educational, or healthcare settings—who are seeking to grow their trauma-informed self-awareness and skills. Grounded in Fr. McChesney's book on mental health and Ignatian spirituality, it will: 1) situate Saint Ignatius in light of contemporary trauma theory; 2) examine the significance of "soul-healing"; in Christian and Ignatian tradition; and 3) identify and discuss particular Ignatian spiritual insights and practices adapted to noticing and caring for the wounded among us, many of whom are journeying through posttraumatic growth in the wake of “moral injury trauma” or “spiritual injury trauma.”
A hybrid workshop/retreat, it will include input and exercises from the facilitators, dialogue and faith sharing among participants, and time for both liturgical and personal prayer.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Lenten Day of Prayer: Paying Attention
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, March 30, 2026
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Cameron Bellm
"Attention is the beginning of devotion." --Mary Oliver
"Attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer. It presupposes faith and love. Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer." --Simone Weil
Many artists, poets, and mystics believed that attention was central to the spiritual life, to our experience of God and the world around us. We'll spend this day of reflection drinking deeply from the well of their wisdom, with time to enter into the fullness of God's loving gaze upon us and to practice turning our own loving gaze upon others and upon the wonders of creation. We'll be nourished, together, by the intertwined mysteries of prayer and attention.
We will close the day with the stations of the cross through Mary's eyes, giving us an opportunity to turn our attention and compassion upon all who are suffering and to enter into the Triduum with sensitive and open hearts.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Walking with Christ
An Ignatian, Silent Weekend Retreat for Adults
April 2 - 4, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ
Enter into the sacred journey of Holy Week with prayer, reflection, and silence. As we walk alongside Jesus, from the Upper Room to the Cross and into the hope of the Resurrection, we’ll listen deeply to His call and open our hearts to His grace. Through Scripture, Ignatian contemplation, and quiet time with God, this retreat invites you to experience the depth of Christ’s love and the promise of new life.
Groups Attending: Individuals
To Proclaim A Year of Favor from the Lord: A Day of Healing Prayer
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ & A Team of Healers
Come to this day to pray for yourself and for your loved ones. Fr. Michael will introduce us to variety of ways of praying for healing - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For as many of the retreatants as time allows, there will be the opportunity for brief individual prayer with members of a prayer team The day includes a “Healing Mass” and a closing Healing Prayer Service with Eucharistic Adoration.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Veterans "Coming Home" Retreat
A Veteran's Coming Home Retreat for Adults
Sunday, May 17, 2026
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
A Jesuit and a Team of Veterans
Where do you go to unpack the duffle bag of experiences that were part of your military experience? Here at Bellarmine all veterans and their adult family members are welcome for reflection on the gifts and burdens of have served. Whether you're recently discharged or back in civilian life for many years, this is a day of healing, hope, and sharing with others who understand your story. Open to all faith traditions.
Peace & Quiet Day
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
Friday, June 19, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
This quiet day is an opportunity to enjoy Bellarmine's sacred grounds without the interruptions of a regular day. While there are no talks or presentations for this day, an optional Mass is included along with breakfast and lunch.
Couple's Evening of Reflection
An Evening of Reflection for Couples
Friday, February 6, 2026
4:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
This evening will allow sacramentally married couples to renew their wedding vows before Valentine's Day. A short social, Mass, and a wonderful dinner will allow couples to enjoy an evening together and reflect on their marriage on our sacred grounds.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Dinner)
Learning to be Astonished: Moving from Acceptance to Gratitude
An Ignatian, Recovery Weekend Retreat for Women
September 19 - 21, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Rev. Carol Ann Munro
The 12 Steps offer more than sobriety—they guide us to a full, meaningful life. They deepen our bond with a Higher Power, leading to blessings beyond imagination. This journey moves us from acceptance to profound gratitude.
Groups Attending: Individuals
There is a Solution
An Ignatian, Recovery Weekend Retreat for Men
November 7 - 9, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Elizabeth Neubauer
There is no hope for recovery without facing the problems of addiction honestly. Together, we will explore how “the design for living” can be applied to most of the challenges that come our way. Thus, opening a pathway to acceptance, peace, and joy.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Practice Makes Progress
An Ignatian, Recovery Weekend Retreat for Men
December 12 - 14, 2025
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Tom Weston, SJ
Discover the wisdom of the 12 Steps as a pathway to a more peaceful and joy-filled life. This retreat offers practical tools and spiritual insights to help us live with grace, humility, and gratitude—one day at a time. Step away from the noise and deepen your connection with God.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Opening the Doors to Recovery
An Ignatian, Recovery Weekend Retreat for Men
March 13 - 15, 2026
Suggested Contribution: $380.00 per person
Retreat Leader:
Ruth Hoenick
Within each of us is a sacred doorway—one that leads to deeper understanding, healing, and transformation. This retreat invites you to gently open that door, to glance back at the path you have traveled, and to step forward into a new way of living with God at your side.
Together, we will look upon our relationship with God with fresh eyes, embracing creativity and openness as we discern where the Spirit is leading us next. In this sacred time, may we find the courage to step through the threshold of our hearts into a life of deeper faith, freedom, and love.
Groups Attending: Individuals
Let the Earth Rejoice - Encountering Our Common Home
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, July 14, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Benjamin Rogers, SJ
Let the Earth Rejoice: A Day of Retreat Centered on Encountering Our Common Home invites participants into a contemplative space to experience the sacredness of creation and deepen their relationship with God through the natural world. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality and inspired by Laudato Si’, the day offers a rhythm of prayer, reflection, silence, and time in nature to foster spiritual attentiveness and ecological awareness. Through guided talks, silent contemplation, and Eucharistic celebration, retreatants will explore how creation reveals God and how they are called to live in right relationship with the Earth. This retreat is an opportunity to listen, be renewed, and go forth with a deepened sense of connection and commitment to care for our common home.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Sunday, July 27, 2025
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Bellarmine, 1 pm - 4pm. During this unstructured time you can visit your favorite places on the grounds, take a guided tour, chat with a Jesuit, or experience our new prayer labyrinth. Bring family and friends, all ages welcome. Lemonade and cookies will be served.
Program Cost: This event is free, courtesy of Bellarmine. Free will donations accepted. Registrations are still necessary for an appropriate head count.
Saving the Best for Last: Aging and the Spiritual Life
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, October 6, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Rosanne Coury
At the wedding feast at Cana, Jesus changes water into wine. The wine he provides is superior to what had been served earlier in the celebration. Jesus saved the best for last.
As we grow older, we often lament the wine of our youth. Our health, stamina, appearance, memory and relationships morph over time. With those changes we may well feel loss and grief. So much of our world seems to shrink.
The spiritual life, however, keeps growing. In our later years we can discover opportunities for deep encounter with God. Our inner landscape reveals vistas unseen in our earlier years. Our inner eye recognizes patterns as we recollect, and our deepest heart awakens to new awareness of the Divine.
During this day of shared reflection, we will explore ways spirituality can be fostered at this time of life. Scripture, prayer, presentation, and silence will aid us on our journey. All you need to bring is an open heart and a curious spirit. The God who made you is anxious to show you the spiritual riches of the later years. See how the Lord continues to save the best for last.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
The Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (Savary)
October 10 - March 20, 2026
A Virtual Retreat with Fr. Bill Creed, SJ
The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola have been a powerful and resilient force in shaping Christian life and spirituality. Saint Ignatius Loyola believed that well-designed spiritual exercises can help improve and renew one’s spiritual life just as well-designed physical exercises can help improve and renew one’s physical life.
Savary states: “The New Spiritual Exercises in the Spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ focuses on the graces and blessings God gives for consciously creating a positive difference in our world. They are based on the scriptural revelation that God has a great project going on - much more than keeping souls from falling into sin and hell - and that we are all invited to become fully and actively involved in this divine project…In The New Spiritual Exercises you are invited to become a co-creator with God with the divine vision formulated by Jesus: “That all may be one.” John 17:21”
As Savary contemplates the text of Ignatius’ Principle and Foundation, he emphasizes “Ignatian indifference’ concerns our deeper openness. Savary presents the challenge Ignatius and Teilhard make to us today when he states that “ultimately, Ignatian indifference is the freedom to meet God and collaborate with God in all circumstances, even if those circumstances are the opposite of what we instinctively want for others and ourselves. This understanding is an integral part of what Teilhard means by the concept of ‘diminishment.’” (page 48) During this retreat we will be asking “where in this present moment are you receiving the grace where you are being freed to meet God and to collaborate with God in circumstances which are the opposite of what you instinctively want for others and for yourself?”
View the syllabus here before registering.
Program Cost: $500.00
Transforming Grief
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, November 3, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Paula Kowalkowski
This day of reflection will help retreatants transform their grief. More details will be posted in the near future.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
How the 12 Steps Heal
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, November 24, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Rev. Carol Ann Munro, Elizabeth Neubauer & Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ
12-Step spirituality has had a dramatic impact on spiritual practice over the past ninety years. We will explore how the 12-steps help us enrich our relationships with God. If you curious about the 12 steps, work or live with people in recovery, or experience attachments, compulsions, or addictions, you will find this time enlightening.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Morning of Prayer with the Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Bill Creed, SJ
Here are a few words: A morning of Advent Prayer invites us to prepare to welcome Christ’s birth today in our world and in us. Pray with the Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins and his hope-filled words: “the world is charged with the grandeur of God,” “the Holy Spirit over the bent world broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings,” “I am all at once what Christ is…immortal diamond.”
The afternoon will allow retreatants to enjoy Bellarmine's grounds in silent reflection.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Christmas Tea: Fr. Michael’s Stories of the Birth of Jesus
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, December 15, 2025
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ, Terri Davis, Dev Kennedy & Paula Kowalkowski
An Advent favorite for many years now, Fr Michael and his talented friends Terri, Dev, and Paula reprise his imaginative retelling of the Christmas story. Back from popular demand, this day of prayer, songs, and stories is sure to touch your heart, tickle your funny bone, and deepen your appreciation of what this holy season is all about.
Program Cost: $100.00 (includes Lunch)
Couple's Evening of Reflection
An Evening of Reflection for Couples
Friday, February 6, 2026
4:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ
This evening will allow sacramentally married couples to renew their wedding vows before Valentine's Day. A short social, Mass, and a wonderful dinner will allow couples to enjoy an evening together and reflect on their marriage on our sacred grounds.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Dinner)
Where Two are Gathered: Nurturing a Strengths-Based Relationship
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Saturday, February 7, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Molly Henry
Whether engaged, newly married or approaching a milestone anniversary, whether looking to develop a richer committed relationship, friendship or connection with a family member, our day together will help to strengthen this important partnership and increase gratitude and joy in both of your lives.
Through the principles and practices of Ignatian spirituality and strengths-based development, you will gain awareness of and appreciation for your God-given talents and those of your partner. You’ll also discover the value you each bring and what you need to thrive. Together, you will determine how to intentionally bring out the best in each other and make the most of your relationship.
Prior to the retreat, you will each complete a research-based online assessment to discover your greatest talents. The registration fee includes the cost of the assessments.
The deadline to register for this retreat is Friday, January 16, 2026. Participants will need to complete a CliftonStrengths Online Talent Assessment by January 22nd, so that they can discuss them with their partner during this day program. The cost of the online assessment is included in this program.
Please note, that this retreat will involve partners talking to each other and has more time discussion than a usual Bellarmine day program.
Program Cost: $100.00 (includes Lunch)
Ash Wednesday: Between Promise and Fulfillment
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Fr. Roc O'Connor, SJ
We await the birth of Christ Incarnate—the Word made flesh, the Light breaking into our darkness. In this sacred season of Advent, we are invited to listen deeply to the ancient songs and prophetic voices that echo with longing and hope. The scriptures stir our hearts, shaping the contours of our prayer with images of endings and beginnings.
Advent does not simply anticipate a birth—it announces a breaking open. The world as we know it, built on self-sufficiency, endless striving, and the illusion of earning love, begins to crumble. The voice in the wilderness calls us to let go, to make straight the path for something radically new: a God who comes not in power, but in vulnerability.
On this Ash Wednesday Day of Reflection, we will rest in the silence of sacred space and let the Word of God awaken us. Through Ignatian prayer and stillness, we will explore how the Advent scriptures prepare our hearts to receive Emmanuel, God-with-us, who comes as gift, not reward.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Lent as Pilgrimage: The Journey Toward God
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, March 9, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Rachel Forton & Paula Kowalkowski
The call to leave one’s familiar surroundings and go to sacred places has been a part of the human experience for thousands of years. St. Ignatius referred to himself as a pilgrim viewing life as a journey toward heaven. Come and see what pilgrimage is through the eyes of retreat leaders Nancy Hulsebosch and Paula Kowalkowski who have recently walked part of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. There will be time to explore the beautiful grounds at Bellarmine and walk the labyrinth with instruction from retreat leader Rachel Forton.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Lenten Day of Prayer: Paying Attention
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Monday, March 30, 2026
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Cameron Bellm
"Attention is the beginning of devotion." --Mary Oliver
"Attention, taken to its highest degree, is the same thing as prayer. It presupposes faith and love. Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer." --Simone Weil
Many artists, poets, and mystics believed that attention was central to the spiritual life, to our experience of God and the world around us. We'll spend this day of reflection drinking deeply from the well of their wisdom, with time to enter into the fullness of God's loving gaze upon us and to practice turning our own loving gaze upon others and upon the wonders of creation. We'll be nourished, together, by the intertwined mysteries of prayer and attention.
We will close the day with the stations of the cross through Mary's eyes, giving us an opportunity to turn our attention and compassion upon all who are suffering and to enter into the Triduum with sensitive and open hearts.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
To Proclaim A Year of Favor from the Lord: A Day of Healing Prayer
A Day of Reflection for Adults
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leaders:
Fr. J. Michael Sparough, SJ & A Team of Healers
Come to this day to pray for yourself and for your loved ones. Fr. Michael will introduce us to variety of ways of praying for healing - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For as many of the retreatants as time allows, there will be the opportunity for brief individual prayer with members of a prayer team The day includes a “Healing Mass” and a closing Healing Prayer Service with Eucharistic Adoration.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Graced Encounters with Christ
A Day of Reflection for Women
Friday, May 8, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
Sharon Krone
Jesus promised, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” On this sacred day of reflection, we gather to rest in the assurance of His constant presence. Through Scripture, we will listen for the gentle whisper of His voice. In prayerful silence, we will open our hearts to the Spirit moving within. As we remember moments of grace in our lives, we will recognize the footprints of Christ walking beside us. And in faith-sharing with fellow pilgrims, we will glimpse the face of Jesus in one another.
Come away for a while and be renewed by the quiet beauty of the day—a time to encounter the living Christ who is already here, waiting to meet you in the stillness.
Program Cost: $80.00 (includes Lunch)
Veterans "Coming Home" Retreat
A Veteran's Coming Home Retreat for Adults
Sunday, October 19, 2025
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
A Jesuit and a Team of Veterans
Where do you go to unpack the duffle bag of experiences that were part of your military experience? Here at Bellarmine all veterans and their adult family members are welcome for reflection on the gifts and burdens of have served. Whether you're recently discharged or back in civilian life for many years, this is a day of healing, hope, and sharing with others who understand your story. Open to all faith traditions.
Veterans "Coming Home" Retreat
A Veteran's Coming Home Retreat for Adults
Sunday, May 17, 2026
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Retreat Leader:
A Jesuit and a Team of Veterans
Where do you go to unpack the duffle bag of experiences that were part of your military experience? Here at Bellarmine all veterans and their adult family members are welcome for reflection on the gifts and burdens of have served. Whether you're recently discharged or back in civilian life for many years, this is a day of healing, hope, and sharing with others who understand your story. Open to all faith traditions.
Twice each summer, Bellarmine offers five to eight days of stillness and prayer during a silent individually directed retreat. Paired with a spiritual director highly experienced in facilitating the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, retreatants embark on a prayer journey to help them focus on God’s activity stirring in the depths of their hearts. Each person’s retreat follows a unique path with Christ.
The retreat includes daily celebration of the Eucharist, daily one-on-one meetings with a spiritual director, and personal time to rest, pray, and reflect in the sacred spaces and beautiful grounds of Bellarmine.
Additionally, throughout the year certain days are set aside for Personal Retreat days or "Mini-Directed" retreats. Come spend a day (with or without overnight) or a few days of peace and quiet.
July 2025 Individually Directed Retreats
Individually Directed Retreats for Adults
July 18 - 26, 2025
Spiritual Directors:
Bellarmine Jesuit Ministry Team and Additional Spiritual Directors
Come to the quiet of Bellarmine and take some time for yourself to get away from the distractions of life so you can read, write, catch up on sleep and pray. Spiritual Direction is available upon request with advance notice at time of registration. Otherwise, the time is yours to pray and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds. You may register for either five or eight days.
Registration requires a $100 deposit.
For a 5 Night Individually Directed Retreat (early discount of $775 total including deposit ended 3/18/25, now $875)
For a 8 Night Individually Directed Retreat (early discount of $1,075 total including deposit ended 3/18/25, now $1,175)
Costs include all meals and spiritual direction. You can view a list of spiritual directors here.
This retreat is full, but we do expect some cancellations. Please call the office at 847-381-1261 to be added to the waitlist.
November Personal Retreat Days
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
November 24 - 26, 2025
Come to enjoy the quiet of Bellarmine this fall. Spiritual Direction is available upon request if scheduled far enough in advance. Otherwise, enjoy the time to pray, rest and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds.
Registration deadline: November 19
Single Night Cost: $175.00
Two Nights or more: $160.00 per night
December Personal Retreat Days
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
December 15 - 18, 2025
Come to enjoy the quiet of Bellarmine this Advent. Spiritual Direction is available upon request if scheduled far enough in advance. Otherwise, enjoy the time to pray, rest and enjoy the serenity of the house and grounds.
Registration deadline: December 10
Single Night Cost: $175.00
Two Nights or more: $160.00 per night
Peace & Quiet Day
Personal Retreat Days for Adults
Friday, June 19, 2026
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
This quiet day is an opportunity to enjoy Bellarmine's sacred grounds without the interruptions of a regular day. While there are no talks or presentations for this day, an optional Mass is included along with breakfast and lunch.