Name: Lessons From St Francis, St. Clare, Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day
Start: 2025-06-03
End: 2025-06-06
Location: 477 Grogan Rd., Stoneville NC 27048

WeTravel will perform a scheduled maintenance and will be unavailable on 22 Dec from 10 PM - 10:30 PM PST/PDT (Saturday, Dec 23rd, 07:00 AM - 07:30 AM UTC). Please contact us at <A HREF="mailto:info@wetravel.com">info@wetravel.com</A> if you have any questions.

United States Dollar

Euro

British Pound

Canadian Dollar

Australian Dollar

Swiss Franc

New Zealand Dollar

Norwegian Krone

Swedish Krona

Danish Krone

Polish Złoty

Hong Kong Dollar

Mexican Peso

United Arab Emirates Dirham

Brazilian Real

Czech Koruna

Singapore Dollar

Turkish Lira

Hungarian Forint

Japanese Yen

South African Rand

Afghan Afghani

Albanian Lek

Armenian Dram

Netherlands Antillean Gulden

Angolan Kwanza

Argentine Peso

Aruban Florin

Azerbaijani Manat

Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark

Barbadian Dollar

Bangladeshi Taka

Bulgarian Lev

Bermudian Dollar

Brunei Dollar

Bolivian Boliviano

Bahamian Dollar

Bhutanese Ngultrum

Botswana Pula

Belarusian Ruble

Belize Dollar

Congolese Franc

Chinese Renminbi Yuan

Colombian Peso

Costa Rican Colón

Cuban Convertible Peso

Cuban Peso

Cape Verdean Escudo

Dominican Peso

Algerian Dinar

Estonian Kroon

Egyptian Pound

Eritrean Nakfa

Ethiopian Birr

Fijian Dollar

Falkland Pound

Georgian Lari

Ghanaian Cedi

Gibraltar Pound

Gambian Dalasi

Guatemalan Quetzal

Guyanese Dollar

Honduran Lempira

Croatian Kuna

Haitian Gourde

Indonesian Rupiah

Israeli New Sheqel

Indian Rupee

Iranian Rial

Jamaican Dollar

Kenyan Shilling

Kyrgyzstani Som

Cambodian Riel

North Korean Won

Cayman Islands Dollar

Kazakhstani Tenge

Lao Kip

Lebanese Pound

Sri Lankan Rupee

Liberian Dollar

Lesotho Loti

Lithuanian Litas

Latvian Lats

Moroccan Dirham

Moldovan Leu

Macedonian Denar

Myanmar Kyat

Mongolian Tögrög

Macanese Pataca

Maltese Lira

Mauritian Rupee

Maldivian Rufiyaa

Malawian Kwacha

Malaysian Ringgit

Mozambican Metical

Namibian Dollar

Nigerian Naira

Nicaraguan Córdoba

Nepalese Rupee

Panamanian Balboa

In this immersive retreat, we will devote a day to each of four visionary figures whose experience of God gave them strength to contribute in radical ways to the aliveness of God in their day and age.  In the mornings we spend time reviewing their lives, contexts and choices made as they sensed invitations to collaborate with God in the world around them. In the afternoons, we will reflect on the spiritual practices that anchored their lives and gave them courage to change, strength for the journey and insights to share.  By remembering how visionary friends of God experienced the call to love in a needy world, we will find courage and wisdom for today.Retreat facilitator Gillian T. W. Ahlgren is Professor Emerita of Theology and Church History at Xavier University.  An educator and writer known for her ability to open up the Christian mystical tradition as a practical resource for living, she is the author of seven books, including Entering Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle: A Reader’s Companion, Spiritual Exercises for the 21st Century and The Tenderness of God: Reclaiming our Humanity.  Gillian integrates her academic and pastoral work in creative ways, developing resources for the spiritual empowerment for women in recovery from trauma, domestic violence and substance abuse.

477 Grogan Rd., Stoneville NC 27048

Lessons From St Francis, St. Clare, Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day

St. Francis Springs Prayer Center

The Advent Taize service at St Francis Springs is a highlight of the season for me. There is something special about joining voices in chant to create melodies and harmonies that are deep and beautiful.

Advent Taizé Program

I enjoyed the building of relationships and community spirit as well as the personal and communal changes to encourage metanoia in my life.






METANOIA TODAY with DR. GILLIAN AHLGREN

As always St. Francis Springs is a peaceful retreat for us. The course we attended and the people we met made this a great renewing trip.

Exceeded my expectations.  It was obvious the grounds, facility and meals were handled with loving care.  The staff made a conscious effort to meet the guests needs and ensure their visit was enjoyable.  The meeting with my spiritual advisor was the highlight.  I look forward to returning.

Silent Retreat

I thoroughly enjoyed being at St. Francis Retreat Center. I was able to take some hikes and celebrate a wonderful occasion.  The food was great and the comradery was fantastic.  Steve Swayne went to great lengths to see that everyone was accomodated and that things went well. 

Franciscan Celebration: 800th Canticle of the Creatures

The SFSPC Freedom Ride was a very well planned and executed journey, down to the minutest detail. The itinerary and content of the facilitation guides were deeply meaningful.  I'd only suggest maybe adding one more day but would go again as is! The people who made up our travel partners were very deep in faith. The diversity of the group was as invaluable as the sights we saw. It's an emotional but very spiritual journey and I am grateful to SFSPC for having the courage to plan and execute this journey. 

SFSPC Freedom Ride

Attentive staff and wonderful accommodations in the cottages for our individual needs and shared space and gatherings. Food was simple amd well prepared and kitchen was very attentive to dietary needs. Vegetarian choices could be a bit better but ny group had kitchens and had brought supplemental food if needed. My group really enjoyed hiking the grounds as did I. 

Writing Retreat and Workshop with Cathryn Hankla

Very well organized. Narration by Rev Dr Dumas Harshaw very inspiring and heart felt.
I am greatful for The fellowship and relationship building. Each experience increased my knowledge and connection to my ancestry.

The workshop/retreat with Cathy Hankla at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center was truly a gift. The facilities were perfect for our purposes--quiet, well-kept, proximity to nature and designed meditation space, etc. The food was good and the staff was extremely nice. The workshop itself was enormously helpful; the group was just the right size, the feedback from other writers was instructive, and working with Cathy Hankla, as always, was a gift. I am grateful to Cathy and the team at St. Francis for a truly meaningful and moving experience.

Lovely place. Peaceful and quiet. Perfect for our workshop.

This trip was so meaningful and organized extremely well!!!
I will and have already recommended to others in my circle of friends!

I had a wonderful time..excellent arrangement for travel with Holiday Bus tour, especially  our Driver Mr Haywood!! Accommodations were excellent!

It was a full 5 days of making new friends, learning about civil rights history and being moved to tears about the cruelty visited on our black brothers and sisters. Our bus driver was professional, warm and engaging with individuals. The tour guide in Montgomery was fun, informative and passionate in telling us about her hometown. The only hard part was the 10hr ride home, extended due to heavy rain and traffic in Atlanta. So glad I went!

There is no way to adequately say how wonderful this trip was. It was truly a pilgrimage- a spiritual as well as physical journey. It was so well planned, with every detail taken care of. Most of all, the people- were amazing. Steve, Emily and Lee were warm, caring, helpful, and sensitive. It was a joy to be with them. And I was aware, and amazed that the people on the trip seemed to be all like-minded- both spiritually and politically. Our bus driver, Haywood, and our guide, Wanda were absolute delights.  I learned so much and felt so much that cannot be described in words. It was incredible.

The trip was truly a meaningful experience with such a wonderful group of diverse people. Dr. Harshaw provided a thoughtful foundation for the journey. The museums were humbling and I am still trying to process and internalize the experiences.  The trip probably needs be a little longer. The first and last days on the bus were truly exhausting and make it hard to remember all we tried to take in.. 

Thanks to Steve and Emily and all staff at St. Francis Springs for the work you put into the trip.

St. Francis Springs is a beautiful retreat center and as always, the Icon Retreat is my favorite.


Icon Retreat

The community spirit of the evening was amazing. The hospitality was divine and the dinner simply delicious. 
The chapel as the setting for this remarkable trio of singers and musician was unforgettable.
Thank you for hosting this brave performance.

Meek Squad Concert & Celebration

Wonderful group of lovely humans, enjoyed arriving Sunday to start class on Monday morning so work wasn’t so compressed, thank you to all staff that made the Icon Workshop so awesome and our meals so delicious!! 

It was a wonderful peaceful retreat where I was able to reconnect with the psalms. Father Steve did a great job guiding us deeper into psalms and their meaning. 

SPSPC is a beautiful secluded location where you can spend time with God and nature. The facilities clean and well furnished. There is an extensive library of books available to use while there.  

The food was good with a variety of options. The dining room was not as quiet as I would have preferred due to other groups that were using the facility. 

SPSPC Silent Retreat

Very good experience, comfortable. Would encourage better separation of silent and non-silent groups. 

St. Francis Springs is a wonderful, welcoming place ideal for retreat.

We had a relaxing, but productive time. It was a great place for our group to meet to as our members come from NC and also out of state. This is the third year we have returned to St Francis Springs. We even added an extra night and day this year. The staff at St Francis Springs are so kind and caring. The food was great and each meal home made.  Thank you Steve and staff!

Addiction Recovery Retreat

Gillian Ahlgren, our leader, was well organized and knows the subject well, Faces of Metanoia.  This was my third retreat at this center which is absolutely peaceful and beautiful.  I have done 2 silent retreats there.  My only suggestion is to serve breakfast beginning at 7:00 am and to start the program at 3:30 on the first day.

What a wonderful experience.  Warm and inviting.  Well taken care of.  Excellent food,,
Our speaker was well grounded in God, and in his topic.  He drew us in, and allowed time in his seminar to interact as desired.  I felt seen and heard, most especially welcomed.  He shared wisdom, had good visuals, and shared some of his story.  Altogether good, all together excellent.

Developing Christian Leaders for the Flourishing of the Kingdom

The breakfast was delicious! Fr. Bob’s presentation was informative as well as a spiritual experience. Knowing how other faiths celebrate this season draws us closer to each other.

Interfaith Prayer Breakfast

Great opportunity of sharing Faith!  Fr Bob gave a wonderful review of all three Abrahmic (Holy Week) practices': Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Need more!

just bob

This was not a  "trip." This was a retreat. It was well organized to involve participants in ways that supported reflection and spiritual growth.

International Women's Day

A peaceful, joyful contemplative event to begin the Advent season! The Taize service fed my soul and the wonderful St. Francis Springs kitchen staff fed our physical bodies as well with a delicious meal afterwards!

Christmas Taize Program

St. Francis Springs is my go-to place whenever I need to step out of the noise and busyness of life and find a place for solitude. The staff is amazing, the meals are delicious and the quiet beauty of nature that surrounds you is soul-nourishing.

An excellent, illuminating experience. Many thanks to the speaker and organizers, as well as the kind folks at St Francis Springs Prayer Center. Pax y’all!

World Peace Day

It was a lovely day and met wonderful folks with shared insights along the journey ..
The staff was very hospitable with comfortable accommodations and food was delicious.! 
The property is beautiful and inviting!

This was a single-day event for me. It was well-done, length of time of the session was good, excellent speaker/moderator. The quiet atmosphere at St. Francis Springs was perfect for a World Peace Day event. 

I had a great time this weekend.  Met great people and had a great time celebrating the special weekend.  Great accommodations.

Blessings Weekend with Catherine Anderson

This is an awesome retreat. Fr. Steve guided us through our days of silence. St. Francis Springs is a beautiful retreat center that has so many sacred spaces to sit in and meditate!
I will be back!

Silent Retreat: The Call to Holiness in Today’s World

This retreat was one of the best I have ever experienced.  Wonderful people in a beautiful and accommodating setting.  Will always remember it.  Thank you!

Excellent instructor with lots of good suggestions and handouts. Lovely retreat center. Thank you!

Retreat Leader Training

Lessons From St Francis, St. Clare, Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day in 477 Grogan Rd., Stoneville NC 27048

In this immersive retreat, we will devote a day to each of four visionary figures whose experience of God gave them strength to contribute in radical ways to the aliveness of God in their day and age. &nbsp;In the mornings we spend time reviewing their lives, contexts and choices made as they sensed invitations to collaborate with God in the world around them. In the afternoons, we will reflect on the spiritual practices that anchored their lives and gave them courage to change, strength for the journey and insights to share. &nbsp;By remembering how visionary friends of God experienced the call to love in a needy world, we will find courage and wisdom for today. Retreat facilitator Gillian T. W. Ahlgren is Professor Emerita of Theology and Church History at Xavier University. &nbsp;An educator and writer known for her ability to open up the Christian mystical tradition as a practical resource for living, she is the author of seven books, including Entering Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle: A Reader’s Companion, Spiritual Exercises for the 21st Century and The Tenderness of God: Reclaiming our Humanity. &nbsp;Gillian integrates her academic and pastoral work in creative ways, developing resources for the spiritual empowerment for women in recovery from trauma, domestic violence and substance abuse.

&nbsp;&nbsp;Tuesday, June 3 The Vision of St. Francis9:00 Arrival and Settling In3:00 Official arrival time3:30 Welcome, orientation and initial conference6:00 Supper7:30 Conference and prayer Wednesday, June 4 The Vision of St. Clare8:00 &nbsp;Breakfast9:00 Morning Conference10:00 Quiet and Reflection Time12:30 Lunch2:00 Afternoon Conference3:30 Quiet and Reflection Time6:00 Supper7:30 Evening Prayer Thursday, June 5 The Courage of Oscar Romero and the Fidelity of Dorothy Day8:00 &nbsp;Breakfast9:00 Morning Conference10:00 Quiet and Reflection Time12:30 Lunch2:00 Afternoon Conference3:30 &nbsp;Quiet and Reflection Time6:00 Supper7:30 Evening Prayer Friday, June 6 The Fidelity of Dorothy Day8:00 &nbsp;Breakfast10:00 Meeting to Review Graces of the Retreat11:00 Formal End of the retreat; depart when ready

Retreat Schedule

Lessons from Visionary Lives &nbsp;of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day. &nbsp;A Retreat with Gillian T. W. Ahlgren

Lessons From St Francis, St. Clare, Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day

Lessons From St Francis, St. Clare, Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day

About this trip

Retreat Schedule

Available Packages

Who’s Going

Your Organizer

Reviews