Holy Wisdom Monastery

Conversations About Our Benedictine Life: Balance
2026-02-11 13:00 - 14:30, 2026-02-22 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-05 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-03-08 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Deepen your understanding of Benedictine spirituality by joining us for one or more Conversations About Our Benedictine Life: Balance. These gatherings offer time for reflection, for the contemplation of short readings about balance and moderation from the Rule of Benedict and other wise authors, and the goodness of being part of the shared way of Benedictine life. The rhythm of Benedictine monastic life – work, study, prayer, rest – is a rhythm of balance that can bring depth and peace to our days. Come listen to Benedict and each other with the ears of your heart; explore the challenges and the gifts of living a life of balance and moderation.

These sessions are open to any adult who relates to any of the Holy Wisdom Monastery communities.

Handmade Fresh Pasta Workshop: Exploring the Heritage of Fresh Pasta
2026-02-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Rescheduled from Jan. 19 to Feb. 16
Join Holy Wisdom Monastery’s own Chef Felipe Saint-Martin in a hands-on cooking class, where you will learn how to make authentic northern Italian recipes on your own. In the first of its kind at Holy Wisdom, the Handmade Fresh Pasta Workshop will use cuisine to explore the relationship between agriculture and grains, as well as the diverse cultural iterations of bread- and pasta-making.
Using fresh ingredients grown on the monastery grounds, participants will knead, roll and cut their way to a delicious and heartwarming experience exclusive to Holy Wisdom.

Menu
Appetizer – Winter Root and Kale Salad

Creating a maple-mustard vinaigrette from scratch, learn about flavor diffusion while working with seasonal Wisconsin produce.

Main Course – Cappelletti al Brodo

After kneading, rolling and cutting pasta dough from scratch, participants will learn how to shape and stuff cappelletti pasta with locally grown squash, ricotta, parmesan and fresh winter herbs.
Substituting vegetables for meat, learn how to make a sweet, nutty broth traditionally served during winter in northern Italy.

Mocktail – Spiced Cranberry Glow

Complementing the winter menu, enjoy a non-alcoholic spritzer made of sparkling water, fresh cranberry juice, honey-ginger syrup and a hint of cinnamon. Served over ice with an orange slice.

Leader – Felipe Saint-Martin
Felipe Saint-Martin is the esteemed Culinary Director and Chef de Cuisine at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin, where he infuses Benedictine hospitality with innovative, sustainable cuisine. Originally from Brazil, Felipe’s culinary journey began in the vibrant kitchens of Rio de Janeiro before he immigrated to the United States, embracing new challenges with resourcefulness and perseverance. His career spans renowned establishments, including Claude Trois Gros Brasserie and Laguioli Lab in Brazil, and in New York City, where he refined his craft at acclaimed restaurants such as Gramercy Tavern and Eataly Market. In these fast-paced, Michelin-starred kitchens, Felipe mastered the art of blending bold flavors with refined techniques, working with top-tier chefs to create unforgettable dining experiences. Now at Holy Wisdom Monastery, Felipe crafts meals that celebrate the earth’s bounty, drawing from the monastery’s 130-acre restored prairie and gardens to create dishes that nourish body and spirit.

Cost and registration
$89/person.
Limited to 25 participants. There are no refunds for cancellations.
Wear closed-toe shoes that you feel comfortable standing in for about two hours, and have long hair tied back. Please be aware that this workshop cannot accommodate gluten-free or vegan dietary restrictions.

Ash Wednesday
2026-02-18 11:45 - 12:00, 2026-02-18 17:30 - 18:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
On Ash Wednesday, March 18th, all are invited to join the sisters for midday prayer with ashes at 11:45 am in the Oratory. You may also join us in the Assembly Room at 5:30 pm for the Liturgy of the Word with ashes. The choir will sing.

Our Lenten practice at the monastery throughout the season of Lent and Holy Week, is that silence be observed in the Assembly Room 10 minutes before Sunday Assembly Liturgy begins. We suggest using this time to center ourselves before our Creator. The greeters will keep the doors of the Assembly Room closed so that conversation in the gathering area does not disrupt this important time of prayer.

Grace & Reflection: A Courage & Renewal® Weekend
2026-02-20 19:00 - 2026-02-22 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Grace & Reflection: A Courage & Renewal® Weekend
Each renewal weekend will include creating a quiet, focused, and enlivened space — a Circle of Trust® — where personal, inner wisdom can be heard. There will be a mix of time spent in large group, small group, and individual reflection along with poetry, teaching stories, wisdom traditions, nature, and activities for exploration. We will use these experiences and other rich metaphors to symbolize and discover and explore life questions. Together, we will experience creating spaces in our lives to tend and nurture our desire to live fully with courage and resilience.

Revitalize your commitment to the values that give meaning to your life.
Increase your ability to listen openly and be present.
Learn reflective practices to become more intentional.
Explore questions to build and sustain community.
Expand trustworthy and authentic relationships.

The Circle of Trust® approach is based on the work of Dr. Parker J. Palmer, Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal, who is a world-renowned writer, speaker and activist. Explore the principles, practices and resources from the Center for Courage & Renewal: https://couragerenewal.org/courage-renewal-approach/
This program is being independently organized and led by a Courage & Renewal Facilitator(s) prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal.
Schedule
Friday, February 20
3:00 pm – Check-in for Retreatants Staying in RGH
6:30 pm – Registration
7:00-9:00 pm – Session One
Saturday, February 21
9:00-10:15 am – Session Two
10:15-10:30 am – Break
10:30 am-12:00 pm – Session Three
12:00-1:30 pm – Lunch and Free Time
1:30-3:00 pm – Session Four
3:00-3:15 pm – Break
3:30-5:00 pm – Session Five
5:15 pm – Dinner
Sunday, February 22
10:00 am-12:00 pm – Session Six
Leaders – Mary Louise Peters, MSE & Amy Christianson, EdD

Mary Louise Peters is a Courage & Renewal® Facilitator, providing retreats and renewal experiences since 2010. She has worked as an educator and consultant at local, state and national levels to improve early childhood and special education for children and families, teaching practices and conditions for staff, and state educational systems.

Amy Christianson recently completed the Courage & Renewal® Practicum Program. Amy has been a participant in a number of seasonal and Circle of Trust retreats. She has a long professional career in education within early childhood, K-12 and higher education settings. Amy’s background includes educational leadership, organizational change and working with diverse populations.

Cost
$250 commuter; $435 residential
Register
Please register by February 13, 2026. The maximum number of participants is 18 and registration will close when full.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until February 13, 2026. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.

Upcoming Courage & Renewal Weekend
Save the dates for the next Courage & Renewal Weekend, May 29-31, “Wonder and Hope”

Lent Series: Contemplating Jesus as "I Am" (in-person)
2026-02-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
The mystical symbols, sacred texts and wisdom traditions in the Gospel of John are designed to reveal the Holy One, the great “I AM,” through Jesus. Come explore with us these symbols and texts, enliven your spiritual imagination, be part of a contemplative community as your Lenten practice this year.
Schedule
Each 90-minute session will include a flow of teachings, readings, small group conversations, large group sharings and contemplative silence.
Dates/Times – Lent 2026
This is a 5-part series, offered in-person at Holy Wisdom Monastery on Tuesdays from 10:00-11:30 am, and online on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm.
In-Person at Holy Wisdom Monastery – 10:00 – 11:30 am

Feb. 24
Mar. 3
Mar. 10
Mar. 17
Mar. 24

11:45 am – Midday Prayer: All are welcome to join the sisters’ community and guests for communal prayer in the Oratory (lower level of the monastery building). Click to learn more about prayer at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
12:00 pm – Lunch ($19): Enjoy a delicious meal prepared fresh by our chefs. Email retreats@holywisdommonastery.org to reserve your meal 48 hours in advance. Please specify which date/dates you wish to stay for lunch.

Virtual – 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Feb. 25
Mar. 4
Mar. 11
Mar. 18
Mar. 25

Leader – Pam Shellberg

Pam Shellberg is the director of spiritual nourishment at Holy Wisdom Monastery, a student of sacred texts, an educator, and a contemplative. It is always a joy for her to be able to facilitate critical and contemplative readings of scripture as nourishment during sacred seasons.

Cost
$65 per person or screen for the series.
Register
Please register by Feb. 22, 2026 for the in-person or virtual Lent series. If you need to cancel your registration, there are no refunds, but you are welcome to share your registration with someone who could come in your place.

Lent Series: Contemplating Jesus as "I Am" (Virtual)
2026-02-25 10:00 - 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States

Wisdom Prairie Winter Tour
2026-02-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us for an experience for everyone to explore the seasonal beauty found on the monastery grounds in winter. Knowledgeable tour guides will share the story of caring for the earth and help participants deepen their relationship with this land. Tour will cover 1-1.5 miles on walking trails at a leisurely pace.
Meet at the kiosk in the monastery building parking lot (take the right fork in the driveway). Tours will take place in small groups. We will proceed with the tour in the event of light to moderate rain or snow but will cancel for thunderstorms or other severe weather.
Cost
There is no cost to participants for this tour. Donations to Care for the Earth are always welcome.
Register
Please register so we have enough tour guides and can contact you in case we need to cancel due to weather.
If you registered for this event but can no longer attend, please fill out this form to let us know of your cancellation.

Ink and Insight Mindful Writing Circle
2026-03-01 10:15 - 12:15 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us for a quarterly gathering that blends creative writing and mindfulness in a supportive, inclusive space. Whether you identify as a writer or simply enjoy exploring your inner voice, this group offers you a gentle rhythm of reflective writing (with optional prompts), sharing in community, and contemplative practices like guided meditation and mindful walking outdoors, weather permitting.
Come as you are. No experience needed — just a willingness to pause, listen, and write. You’ll leave with new words, insights, and connections.
Dates/Times – Sundays from 10:15 am-12:15 pm

Jan. 25
Mar. 1
Jun. 7
Nov. 1

Schedule

10:15 am – Welcome, housekeeping, and settling in
10:30 am – Guided meditation
10:45 am – Writing session #1 with optional small-group sharing
11:00 am – Contemplative walking and writing session #2
11:30 am – Writing session #3
11:45 am – Sharing in big group (optional)
12:15 pm – Close

Leader – Rebecca Jamieson

Rebecca Jamieson is the author of The Body of All Things (Finishing Line Press, 2017). She is the recipient of a 2025 Wisconsin Writers Award, the 2024 Tupelo Press Prose Prize, and is a Pushcart Prize nominee. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Rattle, The Offing, Mid-American Review, and Entropy, and she’s currently at work on a collection of personal essays. Rebecca lives on Ho-Chunk land in Madison, Wisconsin. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, baking, or cuddling her two cats.

Cost
$50/person
Registration
Limited to 25 people.

Ancient Trails, Ancient Tales: The Archaeology of Madison
2026-03-06 12:00 - 14:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
This talk will provide a sweeping overview of the last 14,000 years of human history in and around Tee Jope (The Four Lakes area of Madison). From caribou to dugout canoes, effigy mounds to ancient trails, Wisconsin’s archaeological sites have much to tell us about the past. Program also includes lunch by the Holy Wisdom culinary team.
Schedule

11:45 am – Doors open
Noon – Lunch
12:45 pm – Presentation “Ancient Trails, Ancient Tales”
1:45 pm – Q&A and wrap up

Speaker – Dr. Amy Rosebrough
Dr. Amy Rosebrough is the Wisconsin State Archaeologist, in the State Historic Preservation Office of the Wisconsin Historical Society. In her current position at the Wisconsin Historical Society, she manages archaeological and burial sites data, assists Wisconsin’s citizens with archaeological questions, and serves as a subject matter expert.
Cost
$47/person (in-person)
OR
$15 (recording sent after event)
Register
Please register with the button below by Feb. 26, 2026.

Family Gathering
2026-03-07 15:00 - 18:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
All families with children are invited to a special Lenten Family Gathering, Saturday, March 7, 3:00-6:00 pm.
Join us for a Family Gathering to experience the joy of anticipation in community. At this event, school-age children will gather to learn and play together, and childcare for the littlest ones is provided. Parents and caregivers will have some free-choice time to enjoy all the Monastery has to offer. The gathering will conclude with a shared meal.
Children ages 6-9 are invited to join Sarah Wilkin Gibart for prayer and creative work time. We will explore the rich theme of Lent.
Parents, this is an opportunity to enjoy the monastery and catch a breath in this busy season! You may choose to join in the children’s program, or take in the art exhibit, relax in the library, bring a project of your own, or simply have time for coffee and conversation.
Registration cost includes a simple entree prepared by the culinary team using fresh, seasonal offerings (families may also wish to bring a side dish or dessert to share).
Schedule
3:00 pm – Gather
~3:30-5:15 pm – Programming/free time
5:15 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Adjourn
Leader
Sarah Wilkin Gibart is a teacher of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd who leads regular Children’s Prayer during Sunday Assembly worship. Nichole Rasmus (formerly Nichole Fromm), our Childcare and Support Specialist, will provide childcare for the younger children.
Cost
$25/family
Questions
Please contact Sarah: sjwilkin09@gmail.com or Nichole: nrasmus@holywisdommonastery.org with any questions.

iRest Yoga Nidra: Guided Meditation Through the Layers of Awareness
2026-03-08 16:00 - 17:15 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation that allows one to embrace the fullness of life by moving through the various embodied layers of awareness. It creates a sense of deep peace, relaxation and nourishes resilience to deal with the stressors of everyday life. The practice has been found to regulate one’s nervous system to facilitate improved sleep and enhance overall wellbeing.
Schedule

Introduction & Intentions
Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation
Sharing of Experiences & Silence

This experience is open for people age 16 years and older.
Leader

Iris Mickey is a Certified iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher and a Certified Yoga Therapist. She has spent her whole adult life working in various fields in the Healing Arts. Iris is grateful for the depth of knowledge that her many teachers have shared with her and brings those teachings to everyday life through yoga, qigong, yoga nidra, voice as a yoga practice and individual and group sound immersion experiences.
Cost
$37/person
Registration
The registration deadline for this event is March 7, 2026. There is no refund for cancellations.

Native Plant Sale
2026-03-13 - 2026-05-11 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Native Plant Sale & Fundraiser
Make your garden a beautiful, vibrant landscape while supporting birds, bees, butterflies, and other native wildlife! Gardening with native plants is a wonderful way to decrease water and nutrient usage, create environments with plants that bloom throughout the seasons, and provide critical resources to winged, crawling, and hopping wildlife.
This spring, when you order native plants through our special Native Plant Sale with Johnson’s Nursery out of Menomonee Falls, you get native plants delivered to Middleton, WI or the eastside of Madison on May 17, AND 15% of the sale totals go to Holy Wisdom Monastery, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and SOS Save Our Songbirds.

Learn more & order

Hidden Glimmers: Weaving Contemplative Photography and Haiku Art Exhibit Reception
2026-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | WI
Sandy Wojtal-Weber and David McKee have known each other since the early 1990s and are pleased to share how their artistic endeavors in the visual and written word come together in this exhibit. Hidden Glimmers: Weaving Contemplative Photography and Haiku is a collaboration of their individual talents.
Event Schedule

6:00 pm – Reception opens
6:30 pm – Sandy and David will share their thoughts about their work, collaboration, and answer questions
8:00 pm – Reception concludes

Light refreshments will be provided by the artists.
Artists – Sandy Wojtal-Weber and David McKee

Sandy Wojtal-Weber is a professional fine arts photographer and retired clinical social worker. She founded ‘On the Borderline Project,’ a self-esteem building photography program for adolescent girls which ran for 10 years in Madison earning her the ‘North Star Community Award’ for outstanding contributions to the Northside community of Madison, WI. She currently teaches a contemplative photography program through UW Health Mindfulness Program. She has exhibited her work extensively in Madison and at the Chicago Field Museum.

David McKee is a haiku poet and retired psychotherapist living in Madison. He is an oblate of Holy Wisdom Monastery and serves as lead shepherd for the Oblate formation program. His haiku have been published in various journals including Modern Haiku, Frogpond, Acorn, Kingfisher, Bones, Presence and Password. His work has also been anthologized in a variety of publications and he was invited to join a group of 17 haiku poets in sharing large selections of their haiku in the ‘New Resonance’ series published by Red Moon Press.

Hidden Glimmers: Weaving Contemplative Photography and Haiku Exhibit
The exhibit is on display in the Monastery Gathering Area from February 4 – May 5, 2026. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (excluding holidays) and Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 am.
Registration
Please register for the art exhibit reception by March 6, 2026, in order to have enough refreshments.

Lenten Taizé Prayer & Soup Lunch
2026-03-20 11:00 - 13:00 | WI
Prayer in the spirit of the Taizé community is a meditative form of common prayer. Gathered in the presence of Christ, we sing uncomplicated, repetitive songs, allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of simplicity and invoking the Holy Spirit to enter our prayer.

Taizé Prayer will replace midday prayer on March 20 in the assembly room. Please join us following prayer for lunch in the dining room.
Schedule
11:00 am – Taizé will begin
12:00 pm – Lunch
Cost and Registration
There is no cost to attend the Taizé prayer, but please register below by March 13th so we may plan accordingly for lunch.

Anointing of the Sick
2026-03-22 10:15 - 11:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Anointing of the Sick
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will take place at Holy Wisdom Monastery in the Oratory on Sunday, March 22nd, following Sunday Assembly. If you are sick and in need of the healing presence of the Holy Spirit – perhaps you have a diagnosis, or you are waiting for test results, maybe you have a surgery coming up, if you are sad and full of anxiety, whatever the issues – this sacrament is for you. Allow the prayers of this community to wash over you and let the Spirit calm your heart and soul. Be assured that the sisters, coworkers, the oblates and members of Sunday Assembly are all keeping you in prayer. Please plan to join us.

Poetic Contemplation and the Divinity Within
2026-03-28 08:00 - 16:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Anchored to a conversation between carpenter-priest William Beers and philosopher poet John Koethe, participants will explore the meanings of being human in the contemporary world. Physics, the social sciences, philosophy and theology provide the cultural and personal context for contemplating the imagination, memory and mourning in the creation of meaning.
No experience needed, just a willingness to stretch your knowledge, imagination and awareness. We will inhabit the poems of John Koethe and others to deepen our contemplative awareness of the world and the divinity within. Please join us for this deep dive into modernity and modern poetry.
It is highly recommended that you pick up a copy of John Koethe’s thin volume of poetry, Cemeteries and Galaxies (Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2025) in advance. It is the collection central to this conversation between John and Bill. Some copies will be available for purchase the day of the event.
If you’d like to purchase a copy in advance of the event, contact Pam Shellberg at pshellberg@holywisdommonastery.org.
Schedule

8:00 am – Arrivals, Welcome, Gathering, Settling in
8:30 – 10:00 am – Session One
10:00 – 10:15 am – Break
10:15 am – 12:00 pm – Session Two
12:00 – 1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 – 3:00 pm – Session Three
2:30 – 2:45 pm – Break
2:45 – 3:45 pm – Session Four
3:45 – 4:00 pm – Wrap-up

Speakers – Rev. William Beers, PhD and John Koethe, PhD
The Rev. William Beers, PhD, has been a carpenter and cabinetmaker for 50 years. A former hospital chaplain and university instructor, Bill has studied the relationships among suffering, mourning and the creation of meaning. His book, Women and Sacrifice, explores the gendered origins of sacred violence. For 20 years he was a fundraiser for an international Christian relief organization, traveling throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America.
John Koethe, PhD, has published 20 books of poetry and has received the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and the Frank O’Hara Award for Poetry. He has also published books on Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosophical skepticism and poetry, as well as the recent essay collection, Thought and Poetry. He is a distinguished professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Cost
$87/person includes lunch
Register
The registration deadline for this program is March 22, 2026. There is a 75% refund for cancellations before the March 22 deadline and a 50% refund for cancellations from the registration deadline until the start of the program.

Holy Week Silent Retreat
2026-04-02 16:00 - 2026-04-05 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Anyone who would like to experience a deep and sustained silence in the quiet companionship of others is invited to the Holy Week Silent Retreat. For some, this retreat will be an opportunity to contemplate and participate in – with greater intention – the texts, liturgies and prayers of Holy Week. For all, it is an invitation to live the rhythms of monastic life in an extended retreat experience. Optional contemplative engagements (e.g. journal prompts, walking meditations and opportunities for artistic expression) will add depth to the experience, as will opportunities for lectio divina and shared reflections on the meaning and mystery of these days.
Retreat Schedule
Thursday, April 2

4:00 pm
Orientation
Retreat & Guest House (RGH) 110

4:30 pm
Brief introduction to the weekend and to each other
RGH 110

5:00 pm
Dinner and continued orientation
Members of Sunday Assembly and other guests at tonight’s liturgy will be sharing a meal in the Monastery Guest Dining Room. We will go through the serving line and eat in the smaller Community Dining Room. We will meet the sisters, complete the orientation and then have some time to gather – if you wish to do so – with the other guests.
Monastery Community Dining Room

6:00 pm
Holy Thursday Liturgy
After this liturgy, we enter into silence until Sat. dinner
Monastery Assembly Room

8:30-9:30 pm
Companioned silence
RGH 222

Friday, April 3

Breakfast on your own
RGH 108

7:35 am
Centering prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

8:00 am
Morning prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

10:00 am
Lectio divina and contemplative dialogue to prepare for Good Friday liturgy
RGH 110

11:45 am
Midday prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

Noon
Lunch (in silence)
Monastery Guest Dining Room

3:00 pm
Good Friday liturgy
Monastery Assembly Room

5:00 pm
Dinner (in silence)
Monastery Guest Dining Room

7:30-9:30 pm
Companioned silence
RGH 222

Saturday, April 4

Breakfast on your own
RGH 108

7:35 am
Centering prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

8:00 am
Morning prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

10:00 am
Lectio divina and contemplative dialogue to prepare for Easter Vigil liturgy
RGH 110

11:45 am
Midday prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

Noon
Lunch (in silence)
Monastery Guest Dining Room

Afternoon
Afternoon spent in silence
RGH 110 for companioned silence

5:00 pm
Dinner (we break the silence)
Monastery Guest Dining Room

7:30 pm
Easter Vigil
Monastery Assembly Room

After Vigil
Refreshments
Monastery Guest Dining Room

Meet for companioned conversation about the retreat, and a closing ritual for those departing early
RGH 110

Sunday, April 5

Breakfast on your own
RGH 108

8:00 am
Morning prayer (optional)
Monastery Oratory

9:00 am
Easter Sunday Eucharist
Monastery Assembly Room

Immediately following Eucharist
A final gathering from which we take leave from one another
Community Dining Room

11:30 am
Departure

Facilitator – Pam Shellberg
Pam is the director of spiritual nourishment at Holy Wisdom Monastery. As a scripture scholar and educator, she is eager invite people into a deeper appreciation of the texts that shape the Holy Week liturgies. As someone with a contemplative spirit, she is eager to co-create with retreatants a rich and meaningful experience of silence.
Cost
$360/person, includes silent retreat, overnights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; dinners on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; lunches on Friday and Saturday; and breakfasts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Registration
Please register by March 25, 2026.
There is a 75% refund for cancellations before the March 25 registration deadline, and a 50% refund for cancellations from March 25 until the start of the retreat on April 2.

Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
2026-04-09 12:00 - 13:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Have you volunteered with Holy Wisdom Monastery? We want to thank you! Please join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Lunch at Holy Wisdom Monastery on April 9, 2026. This is the sisters’ and coworkers’ way of expressing our gratitude for all the time and effort you have generously given to our communities. We hope you can join us for a delicious meal and some well-deserved recognition for your hard work. This lunch is open to all monastery volunteers, including those who support our communities (Oblates, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Sunday Assembly, Center for Clergy Renewal) and those who support our general operations (kitchen, front desk, committees, board, etc.).
Reservations will be accepted until April 2nd.
Schedule
11:45 am – Midday prayer (optional)
12:00 pm – Lunch is served
12:30 pm – Comments/thanks
Cost
Monastery volunteers are invited to a free lunch.
Register
Please register below for this event by April 2, 2026, so we know how much food to prepare.

Spring Emergence: A Seasonal Retreat
2026-04-14 08:00 - 2026-04-15 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
A faint gauze of spring green is appearing on the prairie’s winter browns, welcoming you to look for your own signs of new growth. What is emerging can’t be hurried, but calls for patient restraint and holding a space for quiet wonder. This spring retreat invites you sit with the first indications of a new season of life – on the prairie and in your own life and heart. It will hold space for your hushed anticipation and gentle tending.
Conversations about the season, walks on the prairie, naps, art, movement, journaling, great meals, and welcoming accommodations will all be a part of what you can expect when you arrive. A renewed connection to nature and to yourself, along with joy in the anticipation of new things emerging are what you can expect to take with you when you leave.
Seasonal Retreats
Each season this year, we will offer a different seasonal retreat. They will open spaces where each different season can offer its unique wisdom to us in the changing seasons of our lives. Each retreat is a two-day, one-night experience at Holy Wisdom with cozy accommodations, delicious meals, spacious time periods for solitude, reading and rest and contemplative conversations with other retreatants. There will also be a variety of opportunities to explore the prairies and the season and discover their gifts for you.
Upcoming Retreats

Summer Plentitude – July 14-15, 2026 (Wed./Thu.)

Fall Fallowing – October 16-17, 2026 (Fri./Sat.)

Spring Emergence Date/Times
Tue., Apr. 14, 8:00 am – Wed., Apr. 15, 12:00 pm, 2026
Cost
$260/person
The cost of the retreat includes program, meals (Tuesday lunch, dinner and Wednesday breakfast) and overnight room.
Register
The registration deadline for this retreat is April 2, 2026, or when the retreat fills.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until April 3rd. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.
After you register, if you would like to request a double room with another retreatant or if you have other questions about accommodations, please contact us at retreats@holywisdommonastery.org.

Family Gathering
2026-04-18 15:00 - 18:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
All families with children are invited to Family Gathering on Saturday, April 18, 3:00-6:00 pm.
Join us for a Family Gathering to experience the joy of anticipation in community. At this event, school-age children will gather to learn and play together, and childcare for the littlest ones is provided. Parents and caregivers will have some free-choice time to enjoy all the Monastery has to offer. The gathering will conclude with a shared meal.
Children ages 6-9 are invited to join Sarah Wilkin Gibart for prayer and creative work time.
Parents, this is an opportunity to enjoy the monastery and catch a breath in this busy season! You may choose to join in the children’s program, or take in the art exhibit, relax in the library, bring a project of your own, or simply have time for coffee and conversation.
Registration cost includes a simple entree prepared by the culinary team using fresh, seasonal offerings (families may also wish to bring a side dish or dessert to share).
Schedule
3:00 pm – Gather
~3:30-5:15 pm – Programming/free time
5:15 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Adjourn
Leader
Sarah Wilkin Gibart is a teacher of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd who leads regular Children’s Prayer during Sunday Assembly worship. Nichole Rasmus (formerly Nichole Fromm), our Childcare and Support Specialist, will provide childcare for the younger children.
Cost
$25/family
Questions
Please contact Sarah: sjwilkin09@gmail.com or Nichole: nrasmus@holywisdommonastery.org with any questions.
Registration
Please register by April 8, 2026.

Kids on the Prairie
2026-04-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Explore nature’s beauty and surprises!
Kids on the Prairie (KOTP) is for children and their adult family members. Experienced volunteer educators and guides will facilitate a short hike to learn about nature and explore the grounds and trails. This free event is open to members of Holy Wisdom communities and the general public.
April 19 – Signs of Spring
Join us as we look for emergent plants, animals and insects. Depending on the weather, we may find nectar sources for emerging bumble bees and hear frogs calling around Lost Lake. Together we will share in an action to celebrate Earth Day.

Contemplative Cooking Class – Spring 2026
2026-04-19 16:00 - 19:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us for a contemplative cooking class that teaches how to cook with seasonal ingredients, while slowing down and being present to what we are creating. We will have fun learning from Chef Felipe and working together to create a delicious spring meal.
Spring is a time of awakening and growth. Together we prepare a light, vibrant menu featuring steamed vegetables, a crisp green salad and steamed cod wrapped in zucchini ribbons served with a silky celeriac puree.
Program Leader – Chef Felipe Saint-Martin

Felipe Saint-Martin is the esteemed Culinary Director and Chef de Cuisine at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, Wisconsin, where he infuses Benedictine hospitality with innovative, sustainable cuisine. Originally from Brazil, Felipe’s culinary journey began in the vibrant kitchens of Rio de Janeiro before he immigrated to the United States, embracing new challenges with resourcefulness and perseverance. His career spans renowned establishments, including Claude Troisgros Brasserie and Laguioli Lab in Brazil, and in New York City, where he refined his craft at acclaimed restaurants such as Gramercy Tavern and Eataly Market. In these fast-paced, Michelin-starred kitchens, Felipe mastered the art of blending bold flavors with refined techniques, working with top-tier chefs to create unforgettable dining experiences. Now at Holy Wisdom Monastery, Felipe crafts meals that celebrate the earth’s bounty, drawing from the monastery’s 130-acre restored prairie and gardens to create dishes that nourish body and spirit.
Cost
$65/person
Registration
Please register by April 12, 2026. Limited to 18 people.
There are no refunds for cancellations, however registrations are transferrable to another attendee by the person who purchased the program.
What others are saying about Chef Felipe’s cooking classes:
“What a treasure to get in the kitchen up close with Chef Felipe! I was touched by the great skill and authentic heart that he brought to every element of the meal – something that comes through every time I dine at Holy Wisdom, and something that I hope to practice at home, too.”
“Felipe is a talented and engaging teacher and chef! Great combination of experience, culinary knowledge and energy!”
“We had a great time cooking with Chef Felipe. The meal turned out delicious and was even better because it was made by a community of kind people working to create something together!”

Wisdom Prairie Spring Tour
2026-04-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us for an experience for everyone to explore the seasonal beauty found on the monastery grounds in spring. Knowledgeable tour guides will share the story of caring for the earth and help participants deepen their relationship with this land. Tour will cover 1-1.5 miles on walking trails at a leisurely pace.
Meet at the kiosk in the monastery building parking lot (take the right fork in the driveway). Tours will take place in small groups. We will proceed with the tour in the event of light to moderate rain or snow but will cancel for thunderstorms or other severe weather.
Cost
There is no cost to participants for this tour. Donations to Care for the Earth are always welcome.
Register
Please register so we have enough tour guides and can contact you in case we need to cancel due to weather.
If you registered for this event but can no longer attend, please fill out this form to let us know of your cancellation.

The Fire of Hope 1
2026-04-30 16:00 - 2026-05-02 13:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
In 2026, John Philip Newell begins a new series of retreats called The Fire of Hope to respond to the deep challenges of this moment, whether political, religious or environmental. Where do we draw spiritual strength to passionately say no to what is false and witness to what is true and of God?
The Fire of Hope 1 is the first in a three-part series of annual retreats led by the Celtic teacher John Philip Newell and his colleague Cami Twilling in which we seek to nurture the fire of love, the fire of desire and the fire of courage within us.
The teachings of this retreat are based on the book that John Philip is currently working on, drawing especially on the wisdom of Leo Tolstoy, Simone Weil and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Although the final text for this three-year series has not yet been written we recommend the following books by John Philip Newell as preparing the way: A New Ancient Harmony and the prayerbook Celtic Benediction.
The Fire of Hope 1 can be taken as a stand-alone retreat or in conjunction with The Fire of Hope 2 and The Fire of Hope 3, which can be attended in any order and at any of our retreat centers across the country or online.
For more information about John Philip Newell and Earth and Soul, visit https://www.earthandsoul.org.
For more information about the retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery, contact Pam Shellberg at pshellberg@holywisdommonastery.org or 608-836-1631, x126.
Schedule
Thursday – April 30

2:00 pm
Check-in for Overnight Rooms Begins
Retreat & Guest House

4:00-5:00 pm
Check-In/Getting Settled
Gathering Area

5:15 pm
Dinner
Dining Room

*6:30 pm
Evening Prayer (please enter in silence)
Assembly Room

*7:15 pm
Session 1: Introductory Presentation
Assembly Room

8:30 pm
Sacred Silence (until breakfast)

Friday – May 1

*8:30 am
Morning Prayer (enter in silence)
Assembly Room

9:00 am
Break/Leg Stretch

*9:15 am
Session 2: Teaching I (enter in silence)
Assembly Room

10:15 am
Morning Break/Book Sales

*10:45 am
Session 3: Spiritual Practice I (enter in silence)
Assembly Room

12:00 pm
Lunch
Dining Room

1:30 pm
Silence (Siesta/Reading/Walking)

*3:30 pm
Session 4: Spiritual Practice II (enter in silence)
Assembly Room

4:45 pm
Afternoon Break

5:15 pm
Dinner
Assembly Room

*6:30 pm
Session 5: Teaching II (enter in silence)
Assembly Room

7:30 pm
Wine & Cheese Reception & Book Signing
Gathering Area

Saturday – May 2

*8:30 am
Morning Prayer (enter in silence)
Assembly Room

9:00 am
Break/Leg Stretch

*9:15 am
Session 6: Teaching III (enter in silence)
Assembly Room

10:15 am
Morning Break

*10:45 am
Session 7: Thanksgiving (enter in silence)
Assembly Room

12:00 pm
Lunch
Dining Room

Leaders – John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling

John Philip Newell
John Philip Newell (b. 1953) is an internationally renowned Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of Earth and every human being.
Canadian by birth, and also Scottish, he resides with his wife Ali in the ecovillage of Findhorn in Scotland. In 2016 he began the Earth & Soul initiative and teaches regularly in the United States and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimage weeks on Iona in the Western Isles of Scotland.
His PhD is from the University of Edinburgh and he has authored over fifteen books, including his award-winning publication, Sacred Earth Sacred Soul, which was the 2022 Gold Winner of the Nautilus Book Award for Spirituality and Religious Thought of the West. His new book, also with HarperOne, is The Great Search (August 2024), in which he looks at the great spiritual yearnings of humanity today in the context of the decline of religion as we have known it.
John Philip speaks of himself as ‘a wandering teacher’ following the ancient path of many lone teachers before him in the Celtic tradition, seeking the wellbeing of the world. He has been described as having ‘the heart of a Celtic bard and the mind of a Celtic scholar’, combining in his teachings the poetic and the intellectual, the head as well as the heart, and spiritual awareness as well as political and ecological concern.
Cami Twilling
Cami Twilling, based in Colorado, is the Director of Earth & Soul (a Celtic initiative of study, spiritual practice and compassionate action inspired by the teachings of John Philip Newell). As well as heading up the overall work of Earth & Soul, she facilitates the spiritual practice component of the Earth & Soul Retreats. Previously she was the Director of Contemplative Spirituality and Youth Ministry at Trinity UMC in downtown Denver. She has studied meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition of Shambhala and received Spiritual Direction certification from the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to leading mountain and urban retreats, she has led international pilgrimage groups to Iona in the Western Isles of Scotland and work teams to Guatemala to build houses in communities that have suffered from political strife and economic hardship. Cami is passionate about the relationship between spirituality and action and believes that spiritual vision and practice can play a vital role in helping to heal and transform our lives both individually and together.
Dates/Times
4:00 pm, Thursday, April 30 – 1:00 pm, Saturday, May 2, 2026
Cost
$385/person, includes program and meals, Thurs. dinner, Fri. lunch and dinner, Fri. book signing and reception, Sat. lunch; does NOT include lodging.
Limited scholarships are available. Please contact Pam Shellberg at pshellberg@holywisdommonastery.org or 608-836-1631, x126.
Lodging
Lodging is NOT included in the price of the retreat.

Lodging at Holy Wisdom Monastery during the retreat is full.

We have reserved a block of rooms nearby at the Baymont hotel. Please call the hotel at 608-616-4527 to book your room. The block is under “Fire & Hope Holy Wisdom.” The block of rooms will be held until March 30, 2026. Location: Baymont by Wyndham Madison West/Middleton WI West, 8102 Excelsior Dr, Madison, WI 53717.

Register
Please register with the button below by April 22, 2026.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until April 22, 2025. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.

Great Wisconsin Birdathon
2026-05-09 06:30 - 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
The Great Wisconsin Birdathon is Wisconsin’s largest fundraiser for bird conservation. Each year bird enthusiasts from across the state form teams with the goal of finding as many unique bird species as possible while raising important funds for bird conservation. Holy Wisdom Monastery is participating in this event for the sixth time this year! We hope you’ll support our team ‘Wrens of Wisdom Prairie’ in our efforts to find as many bird species as possible on our property on May 9th.
There are several ways to participate:
Join us for a birding tour or ‘sit’
We are offering four guided walking tours and one session of ‘sit spot birding’ which is accessible for those who don’t wish to walk. Group size for each session will be limited to 10 participants. Birders of all ages and experience levels are welcome.
Come birding on your own
We invite you to come explore the monastery property Saturday, May 9th on your own, and keep track of the birds you see and hear. Submit your list of species to Amy Alstad aalstad@holywisdommonastery.org or 608-836-1631, x123.
Support Friends of Wisdom Prairie by making a financial contribution
All of the dollars raised will directly support bird conservation. Half of the funds raised will stay at Holy Wisdom Monastery and be used to create and maintain excellent bird habitat here, with the remaining funds going to the Natural Resources Foundation.
Donation information from the Natural Resources Foundation coming soon.
Schedule
6:30 am – bird walk
7:30 am – bird ‘sit’
8:00 am – bird walk
10:00 am – bird walk
12:00 pm – bird walk
Registration
Please register by May 8, 2026.
Interest in birding but cannot attend this event? Reach out to Amy (aalstad@holywisdommonastery.org) to inquire about monthly birding outings at Holy Wisdom.

Spring Solar Tilt
2026-05-12 17:00 - 20:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 | 5:00-8:00 pm
You and your family are invited to participate in the 3rd Annual Spring Solar Tilt, a hands-on community event where we gather together to celebrate green energy, honor the changing seasons and pray for the earth. Capacity is limited, so register if you are coming!
Holy Wisdom Monastery is proudly a net-zero facility, having implemented solar energy and geothermal heating and cooling in 2024 in our Retreat & Guest House.
The monastery’s 30-panel solar array can be tilted vertically or horizontally, depending on the season. The panels are currently in their more vertical position which helps to shed snow and catch the lower winter sun more efficiently. They must each be manually hand-cranked by teams of three people into their flat spring/summer orientation. Individuals, families, and teams from the community and local businesses are all invited to come be a part of this unique event!
There is no cost for this event unless you sign up for dinner before the tilting. Register below to let us know you’ll be coming. Each family will be responsible for one handle.
Dinner will take place in the Monastery Dining Room before going outside to begin the Tilt. Parking space may be limited, so bring your friends, but please carpool if you can. Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for uneven terrain.
Schedule
Come for all or part of the program.
4:45 pm – Doors open
5:00 pm – Dinner ($15 per person, kids 6 and under eat free)
5:50 pm – Program & Tilt Instructions
6:15 pm – Solar Panel Tilting
6:30-8:00 pm – Lawn games for all ages, s’mores around the patio firepit, self-guided prairie walks and opportunities to talk with experts on both green energy and native prairie ecosystems
Cost
$0 – Tilt participant or observer
$15 – Tilt participant or observer plus optional dinner (kids 6 and under eat free)
Register
Please register below by May 10, 2026 if you plan to participate/observe and May 4, 2026 if you plan to attend the optional dinner.
If the event cannot take place on May 12, 2026 due to weather, May 13, 2026 has been selected as the backup option.

Watch the video below to learn how to tilt the solar panels
