Retreats, Quiet Days and Prayer Groups
Are you looking for some space and quiet to reflect on life and to deepen your relationship with God? Are you looking for ways of praying with other people? Going on a Quiet Day or Retreat, or joining a Prayer Group, can really help. Here are some ideas.
St Beuno’s is an ecumenical retreat centre near St Asaph, focusing on Ignatian spirituality. It is used by many people in our diocese. It has a range of prayerful spaces and beautiful grounds, as well as a welcoming, open atmosphere. It offers a wide range of guided retreats, short courses, and training.
St Beuno’s Outreach in north Wales runs about 20 ecumenical ‘Prego’ groups, some online, some in person. They take a reflective Ignatian approach, focusing on the Sunday readings and other reflective material, with time for quiet prayer and sharing. Groups are very welcoming and mostly meet every fortnight. The Outreach also offers one-to-one Weeks of Guided Prayer with a trained guide. Contact stbeunosoutreach@beunos.com for more information.
This pilgrim shrine church and adjacent centre in the Tanat Valley is one of the beautiful hidden gems of our diocese. It offers a space for reflection, listening and pastoral care with an emphasis on healing and spirituality. It also has facilities for training events, retreats and quiet days.
A non-residential retreat centre located in Abbey Square, next door to Chester Cathedral. RHC runs a rich variety of events in the midst of everyday life. Join a retreat day, a contemplative group, or a guided reflective walk.
The Loreto Spirituality Centre, Llandudno
Retreats and quiet days in a beautiful location on the edge of the Great Orme. You can also join a ‘Loreto Day’: one Saturday each month is set aside for anyone who would like to come away for a few hours for a quiet time of prayer and led reflection.
Noddfa is a Welsh word meaning ‘refuge’, a place of welcome and peace in a lovely old house near the sea and the mountains. You can stay here, or join a day retreat or course, including ‘Caring for Carers’ days.
A comfortable country mansion within walking distance of Conwy, offering a warm welcome (including to families), Christian fellowship and a homely atmosphere. Faith and worship play a prominent role, with special times for prayer, praise and reflection.
Iona, a tiny island off the southwest coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, is a beautiful place to spend time walking, reflecting and praying. The St Asaph diocese generally has a led pilgrimage to Iona each summer, or you can go as an individual traveller, or as a guest of the Iona Community.
The Retreat Association is a national ecumenical Christian organisation that lists all kinds of retreats across the UK. They publish an annual Retreats Handbook.
Making an online retreat or guided meditation in your own home with a trained guide can be very helpful. Pray as you Go and St Beuno’s offer different kinds of retreat throughout the year. You can read a reflection on making an online retreat here.
Julian meetings welcome those seeking a place for silent prayer, and foster the teaching and practice of contemplative prayer and meditation in the Christian tradition. There are groups in Llandudno Junction, Llandudno, Abergele, Penrhyndeudraeth, Anglesey and Chester.
Centering Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer that reaches back to the early days of Christianity. It uses a prayer word or phrase like ‘Come Lord’ as a way of anchoring yourself when your thoughts begin to stray. You can find more information about this tradition here and through the WCCM Meditation Centre in London. There is also a group in Liverpool.
The Quiet Garden Movement creates opportunities to experience silence, restfulness and contemplative practices outdoors. It supports space for prayer, reflection and rest in a variety of settings, including schools and hospitals. Quiet Gardens in Wales are listed here.