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Self-Guided Discernment Retreat
This online, self-paced retreat will help you discern God’s calling in your life!
Sisters of St. Benedict
St. Mary Monastery
We are the monastic Sisters of St. Benedict at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL. Originally from Nauvoo, we have lived and served in the Quad-City area since 2001.
As Benedictines, we live, work, and pray by our five values: Prayer, Community, Hospitality, Peace and Justice, and Care of Creation.
We invite you to explore our site to learn more about joining us as a Sister, oblate, or volunteer, or through our retreat center.
Our Prayer
We gather to pray three times each day during the Liturgy of the Hours. This practice shapes our daily lives and reminds us of our Benedictine calling. We invite you to join us as we pray for the world.
Retreats
Continue your spiritual growth from anywhere in the world with virtual programming from Benet House Retreat Center.
Oblates
Oblates are lay people, men and women, who live Benedictine values. Oblate groups meet regularly - find one near you.
Join Us For A Retreat
Click on any retreat below to learn more or sign up.
Weekly on Wednesdays: August 5th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Weekly on Tuesdays: August 11th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: August 12th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
6-Week Series, meets weekly on Thursdays: August 13th, 20th, and 27th, September 3rd, 10th, and 17th
This 6-week series will examine how works of art interpreted and promoted the spiritual teachings of saints Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Ávila, and Thérèse of Lisieux. We will explore historical influences on female devotional experiences and discuss how artistic representations integrated the unique visions of these four female saints into broader Christian narratives.
Using Diane Millis’ book Re-Creating A Life, Learning How To Tell Our Most Life-Giving Story, you will discover the power of narrative storytelling in shaping how we perceive ourselves, and how we are perceived by others.
Weekly on Tuesdays: August 18th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: August 19th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Weekly on Tuesdays: August 25th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: August 26th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 1st, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 2nd, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 8th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 9th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Boundless Compassion unpacks the Christian understanding of compassion with Jesus as our model. This includes teachings from other world religions, that are incorporated in our understanding of Boundless Compassion.
Trained facilitators lead this 3-part hybrid retreat that teaches practical ways to be a compassionate presence. An individual can just attend the weekend and not the virtual gatherings.
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 15th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 16th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 22nd, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 23rd, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Weekly on Tuesdays: September 29th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: September 30th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Central Illinois and Mississippi Valley Contemplative Outreach invite you to retreat into silence. We will center, experience Lectio Divina, and learn insightful methods of listening from Abbot Joseph Boyle of St. Benedict’s Monastery.
A minimum of 3 months centering prayer practice is required to attend.
Join Sr. Bobbi in discussing Richard Rohr’s newest book, The Tears of Things. It is a great way to bring the Old Testament prophets into our lives today. This is a 4-session series. While the chapters are short, the reflection on the material brings depth to the discussions. This series will use the book, CAC videos, reflection questions, and chapter highlights to provide insight and discussion.
Savor this silent, directed retreat. Get away and make time to discover how you are connected to the Vine, to Jesus. Meet daily with a spiritual director and reflect on what it means to abide and what is needed to make good fruit.
We know so little of Mary’s life, only a few passages on Mary are in the Bible. The Gospel of Luke does contain several experiences of Mary. Join this retreat and take 24 hours to ‘hide’ away into the quiet. This is an opportunity to ponder the birth of Jesus, our Savior, through the eyes of His Mother, Mary.
Silence, Stillness, and Holy Rest
24 Hours in Advent
As the Christmas season approaches, our hearts often long for something deeper than the rushed pace and full calendars—something quieter, gentler, and more aligned with the true meaning of Advent: waiting, listening, and making room for Christ.
This yearly retreat provides time for silence, daily Eucharist, an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, daily spiritual direction, Centering Prayer/Lectio, and a focus on the Sunday Gospel.
Pope Francis was passionate about Christ and His Church; an advocate for peace and justice especially to the marginalized; and compassionate towards every person he met. Join Sr. Bobbi for a 3-part series which remembers Pope Francis by reflecting on his writing and papal documents.
Life at St. Mary Monastery
Featured
Virtual Monastery
The Virtual Monastery Experience combines 360 photography with video, photos, and text directly from the Sisters. The Sisters invite you to get a sense of St. Mary Monastery before your visit.
Recent Stories
Daily Updates
St. Mary’s Academy
In 1874, the Sisters of St. Benedict founded St. Mary’s Academy, a Catholic boarding school for young women. The Sisters voted to close the school in 1997, and we still fondly remember our time in Nauvoo. After 123 years together, we hope to remain connected to our friends and alumnae for many years to come!
“The Sisters of St. Mary’s taught me how to be courageous and attempt anything I wanted to do – all with a wonderful sense of humility, hope and humor.”