Retreats
St. Benedict’s Abbey and Retreat Center is located on the state line of Wisconsin and Illinois, midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. It is easily accessible, just 10 minutes west of Interstate 94. Yet it is still uniquely remote, surrounded by approximately 450 acres of woodland and rolling hills on the south shore of serene Benet Lake in southeastern Wisconsin.
Our goal as a retreat center is to offer guests a place to rest, pray, contemplate, and revitalize visitors’ relationships with God. This spiritual renewal should help one deepen awareness of God’s presence and action in his or her life.
Schedule Your Retreat with Us
Call us at (262) 396-4311, ext. 105 or email guests@benetlake.org
2026 Retreats
February
Feb. 9-11, Overnight Silent Retreat, "Providence of God", Fr. Daniel
“Exploring the personal experiences of the Providence of God.” Guided consultation and prayer can help to see God’s overall plan.
Feb. 24, Day Retreat, "Lenten Spirituality", Br. Matthew
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Evening Sessions, "Lenten Spirituality", Br. Matthew
March
Mar. 10, Day Retreat, "Synodality", Br. Matthew
What is the spirit of synodality and its concrete application to our lives?
Mar. 23-25, Overnight Silent Retreat, "Lenten Hope", Fr. Daniel
“Personal examination of the Lent as a season of Hope.” Guided reflection and prayer can be an important preparation for the Mystery of the Resurrection.
Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26, Evening Sessions, "Synodality", Br. Matthew
Exploring the role of the Synod and how it affects the Church.
April
Apr. 14, Day Retreat, "Easter in the Modern World", Fr. Daniel
“Easter in the Modern World.” The Resurrection is the summit of Christian hope. How can this hope be lived and shared with those with little or no hope?
Apr. 21, Day Retreat, "Letting in Christ’s Light", Br. Matthew
To draw people closer to Christ through a silent atmosphere and guided meditation. Someone who comes to the retreat with an invitation to dive deeply into Christ’s heart, ready to receive all that Christ wants to give. With the Holy Spirit's inspiration and vitality, the soul enters a spiritual oasis to receive all that God wants it to discover. The goal of this retreat is not to achieve something or do something, but to become someone. The person you are meant to become is who God made you to be.
Apr. 9, 16, 23, 30, Evening Sessions, "Letting in Christ’s Light", Br. Matthew
Steps of prayer to find Christ’s light in every moment. Meditations will focus on the Resurrection accounts and Ignatius’ method of Gospel reflection.
May
May 5, Day Retreat, "Monastic Spirituality", Br. Matthew
This retreat will explore the Sayings of the Desert Fathers.
May 25-27, Overnight Silent Retreat, "Discernment", Fr. Daniel
Discernment requires open listening to the Holy Spirit whenever important decisions need to be made. Guided consultation and prayer can be effective tools for this.
May 7, 14, Evening Sessions, "Monastic Spirituality", Br. Matthew
Monastic spirituality for daily life.
June
Jun. 2, Day Retreat, "St. Peter’s Ministry", Br. Matthew
Peter’s Faith in Jesus- This retreat looks at Peter in Scripture and his relationship with Jesus. The Gospel accounts of his calling, leadership, failings, and triumph will be examined, as well as our kinship with Peter as disciples.
Jun. 16, Day Retreat, "Sacraments as Stepping Stones", Fr. Daniel
“Sacraments as Stepping stones.” The Sacraments are living signs of grace given to us at significant moments in our lives. Reliving the meaning of those moments can enrich our lives.
Jun. 4, 11, 18, 25, Evening Sessions, "St Peter’s Ministry", Br. Matthew
Exploring the history of the Popes and their ministry today.
July
Jul. 7, Day Retreat, "St. Benedict’s Idea of Prayer and Work", Fr. Daniel
“St. Benedict’s idea of Prayer and Work.” Appreciating an ancient balance of prayer and work can enrich the life of anyone in today’s unbalanced world.
Jul. 21, Day Retreat, "Reform and Renewal", Br. Matthew
What are the keys to personal renewal for every day?
Jul. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Evening Sessions, "Reform and Renewal", Br. Matthew
Diving into the Church’s rich history of reform and renewal.
August
Aug. 4, Day Retreat, "Spiritual Companionship", Fr. Daniel
“Spiritual Companionship.” A spiritual life based on walking with the Lord at all times has the strength and flexibility to gather many others along the way.
Aug. 11, Day Retreat, "Mary, Model of Discipleship", Br. Matthew
Mary, the one who leads us back to Christ.
Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27, Evening Sessions, "Mary, Model of Discipleship", Br. Matthew
Mary, the Model of Discipleship, coming to know her and her key virtues: humility, reflection, charity, and endurance.
September
Sept. 8, Day Retreat, "Catholic Lay Leadership", Br. Matthew
Catholic Lay Leadership- finding your vocation as a lay leader in the Church.
Sept. 22, Day Retreat, "Catholic Lay Leadership", Fr. Daniel
“Catholic Lay leadership” Baptism and the sacraments strengthen the vocation of those willing to demonstrate the values of the Gospel in their ordinary lives of social service.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24, Evening Sessions, "Lay Leadership in the Church", Br. Matthew
What are the building blocks you can use to lead in your local Church?
October
Oct. 6, Day Retreat, "Ecumenism", Br. Matthew
Church around the World- The guests will be introduced to customs of the Church around the World as part of ecumenism.
Oct. 20, Day Retreat, "Grandparents and XZ Generations", Fr. Daniel
“The power of Grandparents among today’s youth.” Grandparents need to claim their influence and position of respect in guiding young people through the mine fields of maturity.
Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Evening Sessions, "Ecumenism", Br. Matthew
Exploring the importance of building bridges and accepting dialogue within our Catholic faith.
November
Nov. 2-4, Overnight Silent Retreat, "Healing of Memories", Fr. Daniel
“Healing of Memories.” Listening to the Holy Spirit together with prayer, Scripture, and guided consultation will provide the first steps toward spiritual healing.
Nov. 17, Day Retreat, "Contemplation in our Daily Lives", Br. Matthew
Exploring the ways to pray minute by minute.
Nov. 5, 12, 19, Evening Sessions, "Contemplation", Br. Matthew
Contemplation in our Daily Lives.
December
Dec. 1, Day Retreat, "Advent Spirituality", Br. Matthew
A Year in Reflection - Guests will be led through a day-long reflection about the previous year and encouraged to examine the events in the light of God’s grace.
Dec. 15, Day Retreat, "Holiness in the human condition", Fr. Daniel
“Holiness in the human condition.” To follow the Lord Jesus is to follow the challenging road of self-giving for the sake of loving our brothers and sisters.
Dec. 3, 10, 17, Evening Sessions, "Advent Spirituality", Br. Matthew
Steps to prepare for 2027 using the message of Advent - retreats will focus on the Advent Sunday reflections.
All Participants must register one week before the scheduled retreat!
Call our Guest Department and reserve your spot today!
Our retreat center has three wings. To the west is our Engelberg Wing consisting of 26 suites. To the south is our Benet Wing consisting of 4 suites. Our last wing to the east is Felix Wing which consists of 1 suite and 37 rooms. Each of the 37 rooms have two twin beds. All rooms have private bath and are air-conditioned. Bedding and towels are provided. Total capacity for adults is 125. Total capacity for youth is 72.
Each of the wings have living/sitting room spaces and kitchenettes. Felix Wing has a dining room beside its kitchenette.
For those making individual retreats and wish to have spiritual direction during their retreat, we have two Benedictine Monk Priests available upon request when scheduling your retreat.
Each of the wings have large conference rooms. Both Engelberg Wing and Felix Wing have breakout rooms are available.
Professional chefs prepare delicious homemade meals in our state-of-the-art kitchen. For those retreatants with special dietary needs, our chefs can prepare meals in accordance with these limitations when informed at least two weeks prior to the retreat experience.
Please note: we are a Catholic institution and do not serve meat on Fridays.
Our outdoor grounds currently include a pavilion overlooking Benet Lake, Stations of the Cross, a fire pit, and a volleyball court.
While our facility offers a welcome respite from the demands of daily life, we do offer a secure Wi-Fi connection throughout our entire facility.
Please call us to schedule a tour of our facility. Our hospitable staff will be happy to help you in any way possible. Schedule your retreat with us. Call us at (262) 396-4311 ext. 105, or email guests@benetlake.org.
Letter of Recommendation from a member of clergy. A nonrefundable deposit is required for all individuals and groups 30 days before scheduled stay.
