Conversations About Our Benedictine Life: Humility
2025-09-14 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-09-16 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-10-08 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-10-23 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-11-16 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 of the Conversations About Our Benedictine Spirituality: Humility sessions. These gatherings offer time for reflections, for the reading of short pieces on humility from the Rule of Benedict and other authors, an exploration of how Benedictine humility differs from our every day understandings of it, and conversations about the gifts and challenges of living this Benedictine value in our lives.
These sessions are open to any adult who relates to any of the Holy Wisdom Monastery communities.

Kids on the Prairie
2025-09-14 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.
September 14 – Apple Picking, Cider Tasting and Seed Collection
Taste the goodness of organically grown Monastery apples. Learn about seeds and collect prairie seeds to renew the prairie. Each family will get some seeds to take home.

Flower Identification Walk
2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Practice your wildflower ID skills! Friends of Wisdom Prairie volunteers Sylvia Marek and Julie Melton are offering a new series of guided hikes through the summer prairie focused on identifying what’s in bloom. You can expect a leisurely walk, approximately one hour long, on grassy trails.
These informal tours will be offered monthly on the third Thursday of the month for the remainder of the growing season. No registration necessary. Meet at the kiosk at the top of the monastery building parking lot (stay to the right at the fork in the driveway).
If you’d like to receive reminders about these monthly plant walks, please email Amy aalstad@holywisdommonastery.org.

I Choose Peace – Sound Healing & Guided Meditation
2025-09-20 10:00 - 11:45 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Discover a transformative journey with I Choose Peace – Sound Healing & Guided Meditation. This uniquely enchanting guided meditative experience invites you to explore the depths of world peace through soothing poetry, the calming resonance of sound bowl healing, affirmations of peace and love and reflective journaling. It’s more than just meditation; it’s a pathway to self-love and a deeper connection with your heart and the Earth.
Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or completely new to the practice, this program offers a safe and accessible path to personal peace. We welcome all peace seekers ages 18 and above.
Be still, reconnect with yourself and contribute to a more peaceful world, one mindful moment at a time.
Embrace your path to peace and empowerment while nurturing your spirit and mind.
Join I Choose Peace to be in community with like-minded souls dedicated to making the world a better place.
We look forward to you joining us to experience the healing power of I Choose Peace and transform your life.
Please bring the following items to make the most of your meditation:

Comfortable clothing: breathable, flexible garments for various temperatures. Light layers are suggested.
Blanket, pillow, yoga mat: create a comfortable space to rest by having your own items to support your body needs.
Journal: any journal or notebook (and writing utensil) will do to capture your reflections.
Water bottle/personal beverage: hydrate!
Personal care items: natural toiletries, sunscreen and insect repellent (if meditation will be outside)
Any additional personal items you may require to comfortably sit or lay down for two hours.

Schedule
10:00-11:45 am – Sound Healing
12:00 pm – Lunch (optional)
Instructor – Takeyla Benton
Mystic on a mission, Takeyla Benton has spent 25 years unlocking her own divine potential – and now she’s here to help you do the same. With a lifetime of spiritually directed studies and personal experiences, Takeyla infuses her wisdom and passion for storytelling, holistic healing and spirit-centered self-mastery and divine love into her sacred soul work at Key Transformations. As a trusted guide, she offers transformative spiritual consultations, Goddess-guided Reiki energy and sound healing, empowering yoga and meditation coaching, notable podcasts and workshops  – empowering those “sick and tired of being sick and tired” to bravely live on purpose.

Dates/Times
Join us Sep. 20, 2025 from 10:00-11:45 am.
Cost
$35/person
Register
The registration deadline is Sep. 13, 2025, or when the registration reaches 30 people. There is no refund for cancellations, but registrations are transferable.

Center for Clergy Renewal Celebration of Ministry Dinner
2025-09-26 17:30 - 19:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
There is a lot to celebrate in the Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR) at Holy Wisdom Monastery! Over 100 pastors came to Holy Wisdom Monastery this year to be fed by the rhythm of the Monastery, the prairie, and contemplative practice. Please join us for the third annual dinner to celebrate CCR pastors who serve in ecumenical ministries around the country and help us continue to raise support for this program. We will gather on Friday, September 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The evening will include dinner and impact stories from the CCR team and pastors who have participated. If you are interested in how the CCR provides pastors with fertile ground to root deeply into God’s love, grow in community and scatter seeds of hope for a flourishing world, please join us! There is no cost for the dinner, but we do require reservations so we can plan accordingly. You can register by clicking on the button below.
Schedule
5:30 pm – Welcome and Check In
6:00 pm – Opening Prayer and Dinner
6:30 pm – Presentation
7:30 pm – Closing Prayer
Register
Please register by September 19, 2025.

Midwest Memoir Art Exhibit Reception
2025-10-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Michael Knapstein is pleased to share his latest work, Midwest Memoir, with Holy Wisdom Monastery. His goal is to document and immortalize the people and places that define the American Midwest before they vanish. Michael said, “I hope the images in this series which embrace themes of memory, loss, history, heritage, rural identity and sense of place, will resonate with the viewers.” Michael has generously offered to give away one of his photos at the opening reception!

Schedule
6:00 pm – Reception begins. Light refreshments will be served by the artist
6:30 pm – Michael will share his thoughts about his latest work and answer questions
8:00 pm – Reception ends

Artist – Michael Knapstein

Photographer Michael Knapstein is counted among ‘14 Inspiring American Artists’ by Skillshare and Feature Shoot. His photographs have been featured in more than 325 exhibits in a variety of museums, galleries and festivals in 23 countries on five continents. He has received numerous awards, and his work is included in many public, private and corporate collections.

The exhibit is on display in the Monastery Gathering Area from September 23 – November 2, 2025. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (excluding holidays) and Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 am.

Registration
Please register by September 26, 2025, in order to have enough refreshments. Thank you!

Solidarity Sunday
2025-10-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Solidarity Sunday, observed every year on a Sunday in October, is a faith-based anti-violence initiative. Dignity USA initiated Solidarity Sunday in 1995 as a way of making opposition to anti-gay violence visible. Sunday Assembly members commemorate Solidarity Sunday to support and affirm the LGBTQ+ persons in our community.

Kids on the Prairie
2025-10-12 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.
October 12 – Trees, Trees, Trees
Explore woodlands and savanna. What are trees doing over the winter? Make bark and leaf rubbings. Look for places for insects and animals to shelter from winter cold and snow. Listen to the forest.
November 9 – Join Us for a Celebration of Our Year!
We’ll take a short walk near the gardens and Lost Lake listening and looking for signs of life. Afterward, wrap up the season with a slide show of 2025 Kids on the Prairie activities, games, hot chocolate and cider.

An Autumn Qigong Workshop: Releasing, Accepting, Allowing
2025-10-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
This autumn Qigong* workshop will help you align with the energies of the season. Join us as we practice simple yet powerful Qigong movements designed to cultivate our ability to allow in the blessings of our labors, accept our current situation and release grief and sadness.
Learn practices that you can perform at home to boost your immunity, calm your nervous system, and improve overall circulation. Leave feeling refreshed with calm energy for what lies ahead.
All ability levels welcome. Can be performed standing or seated in casual attire. Please come prepared to do a short portion of the workshop outdoors, weather permitting.
*Qigong (Chee-gong) is an ancient form of moving meditation that uses flowing movements, breath exercises, meditation and self-massage. As a holistic health or “whole being” practice, it addresses all of who you are: mind, body, and spirit.
Schedule

1:00 pm – Introductions and overview of workshop
1:10 pm – Short Qigong practices intertwined with journaling to cultivate awareness, including a brief time outdoors (weather permitting)
2:40 pm – Indoor meditation and closing practice
3:00 pm – Workshop ends

Instructor – Sandy Salvo

Sandy Salvo is a Senior Faculty and Teacher-Trainer for the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and founder of Centered-Connections.com. She enjoys sharing her love of Qigong and the mind-body-spirit benefits it can offer all who seek them.

Cost
$35/person
All proceeds go to Holy Wisdom Monastery.
Register
Register by Mon. Oct. 6, 2025, with the button below. The registration fee is non-refundable.

Wisdom Prairie Fall Tour
2025-10-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
You are welcome to join us for an outdoor tour to explore the seasonal beauty found on the monastery grounds in fall. Experienced tour guides will share the story of Caring for the Earth and help participants deepen their relationship with this land.
Meet at the kiosk in the monastery building parking lot. Tours will last 1-2 hours. We will proceed with the tour in the event of light to moderate rain but 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 with the button below so we have enough tour guides and can contact you in case we need to cancel due to weather.

Family Gathering
2025-10-18 15:00 - 18:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
This gathering has been cancelled, the next Family Gathering is Dec. 20, 2025
Calling all families with children! Children’s Ministry invites you to join our next Family Gathering, Saturday, October 18, 3:00-6:00 pm at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon concluding with an opportunity to share a meal. Children are invited to join Sarah Wilkin Gibart for prayer and creative work time in the spirit of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, tailored for 6–9-year-olds.
Parents, this is your time! You may choose to join in the children’s program or enjoy the monastery grounds: explore the prairie, take in the art exhibit, relax in the library, or simply have time for coffee and conversation. Childcare will also be available for the youngest ones, ages 0-5. Those children and adults who wish may join the sisters for Evening Prayer at 4:30 pm, and we will reconvene for supper at 5:15 pm.
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).
Come be in community, play, rest, reflect, and get to know and support one another!
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.
Cost
$25/family.
Questions
Please contact Sarah: sjwilkin09@gmail.com or Nichole: nfromm@holywisdommonastery.org with any questions.

Register
The Family Gathering has been cancelled. The next Family Gathering will be Dec. 20, 2025.

Being Harmonized with the Unconditional Love and Wisdom of Our Buddha Nature
2025-10-19 09:30 - 2025-10-21 18:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
From a Tibetan Buddhist perspective, our buddha nature is the basic space of our being that is undivided from vast capacities of awareness, warmth, love, compassion and wisdom. These capacities are always available below our surface consciousness but often hidden by our conditioned habits of thought and reaction. In this retreat, we will learn three modes of practice derived from Tibetan Buddhism that empower each other as they harmonize us with those innate capacities. The receptive mode generates a field of care that helps us find immediate access to unconditional qualities of love and wisdom from the depth of our awareness (our buddha nature). In the deepening mode, we let those qualities help the mind settle into their source—the non-conceptual openness, simplicity, clarity, and compassionate warmth of our buddha nature. In the inclusive mode we come from that depth of being to recognize others in their depth, and to include them in those unconditional qualities of openness and compassion. This contemplative process also empowers our ability to discern the empty, constructed nature of our experiences, freeing the mind for further access to its innate awakening capacities.
In this retreat, we will adapt this pattern of practice from Tibetan Buddhism, with some assistance from modern psychology, to make it accessible both for Buddhist practitioners and for people of all faiths who have contemplative practice experience and seek not just an intellectual dialogue with Buddhism but a deep experiential encounter with it that might freshly illumine analogous depths of their own tradition.
Sessions include guided meditations, Q&A and discussion. Prerequisites: At least two previous years of regular contemplative practice (meditation, ritual or prayer). Before the retreat, please read John’s book, Awakening through Love (Wisdom, 2007) or How Compassion Works (co-authored with Paul Condon, Shambhala, June 24, 2025), or as much of either book as possible.
Schedule

Daily session from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Daily session from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Rest breaks
Lunch at 12:30 pm
Dinner at 5:15 pm.
More details to come

Leader – John Makransky
John Makransky, PhD, has been a professor of Buddhism and Comparative Theology at Boston College, Senior Academic Advisor at Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Nepal, president of the Society of Buddhist-Christian studies and Contemplative Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute. John’s scholarly writings focus on connections between devotion, compassion and wisdom in Buddhism, on adapting Buddhist practices to meet contemporary minds and on theoretical issues in interfaith learning. In 2000, John was ordained as a Lama in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism – a teacher of innate love and wisdom practices. For the past 25 years, John has taught meditations of innate compassion and wisdom adapted from Tibetan Buddhism for modern Buddhists, those in other spiritual traditions, and for people in caring roles and professions. In consultation with participants from those settings, John developed the Sustainable Compassion Training model of contemplative practice (SCT) to help Buddhists, people of diverse faiths and those in caring roles and professions generate a more sustaining and unconditional power of compassion and awareness to support their lives and work (https://sustainablecompassion.org).
Dates/Times
9:30 am, Sunday, October 19 – Dinner following afternoon session, Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Cost
This retreat uses a tiered fee system. Please pay according to your means.
Registration fees do not include payments to teacher. Please consider supporting the teacher with dāna (generosity) at the event.

$350 – Benefactor
$300 – Tier 1
$250 – Tier 2

Scholarships are available. Please contact Carole Kretschman at c.kretschman@icloud.com.
Lodging
Lodging is NOT included in the price of the retreat.

We have limited lodging at Holy Wisdom Monastery
$148.50/single (one person for 2 nights)
$170.10/double (2 people for 2 nights sharing a room)
Extra nights are available.
Please email retreats@holywisdommonastery.org to reserve your overnight room at the monastery for the retreat. Rooms will fill up.

Register
Please register by October 12, 2025.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until Oct. 12, 2025. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.

Holy Wisdom Monastery Annual Meeting
2025-10-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 10:30 am for the Holy Wisdom Monastery Annual Meeting. We invite you to attend virtually via Zoom, or in-person in the monastery dining room. Whether you are a member of one of our communities or a curious supporter, we welcome all to join us. You will hear from sisters and coworkers about Holy Wisdom’s mission, financial position, future priorities, and other projects around the monastery.
Schedule
9:00 am – Sunday Assembly Worship (all are welcome)
10:30 am – Annual Meeting
Register
There is no cost for this event. Please register by October 19, 2025.

Sacred Thresholds
2025-11-03 13:00 - 14:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Sacred Thresholds is a contemplative prayer gathering.
We are living through a unique chapter in American history when our most cherished values seem threatened, indeed, our whole way of life. Each of us, in our own way, is asking, What can I do?, and the answers, so far, seem woefully inadequate to the challenge. It is in that same spirit of humility that we are offering Sacred Thresholds as our answer to that question. Woefully inadequate, yes, small, but genuine, offered in a communal spirit, coming together to make a circle, to pray, in old ways and in new ways, to hold each other’s hearts and help one another to stay open. That is what Sacred Thresholds is all about. It’s a work in progress. Like all of us.
Please join us at 1:00 pm on the first Monday of the month in the Retreat and Guest House room 222 .
Upcoming dates

Nov. 3, 2025
Dec. 1, 2025
Jan. 5, 2026
Feb. 5, 2026
Mar. 2, 2026
Apr. 6, 2026
May 4, 2026
Jun. 1, 2026

Indigenous Art: A Local's Perspective & Friends of Wisdom Prairie Annual Meeting
2025-11-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Please join the Friends of Wisdom Prairie for their annual meeting, which brings people together to recognize and celebrate land stewardship at Holy Wisdom Monastery. The keynote presentation will be given by Melanie Tallmadge Sainz and is titled ‘Indigenous Art: A Local’s Perspective.’ The program also includes refreshments and dinner.
Schedule

5:00 pm – Refreshments and mingling
6:00 pm – Dinner
6:45 pm – Friends of Wisdom Prairie Annual Meeting
7:00 pm – Melanie Tallmadge Sainz presents on local Indigenous art
8:00 pm – Q&A and wrap up

Speaker – Melanie Tallmadge Sainz

Melanie is Founding Director of Little Eagle Arts Foundation (LEAF), a Native-led nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the arts and culture of Native people of the Western Great Lakes. She is an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation who grew up in the Wisconsin Dells. Melanie will share about what influences her personal art-making process as well as provide information about her foundation.

(Photo courtesy of Kevin Miyazaki)

Cost
$40/person
Registration
Please register by October 30, 2025.
There is no refund for cancellations, but registrations are transferable.

Oblate Retreat
2025-11-07 16:00 - 2025-11-09 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Save the date: Nov. 7-9, 2025

Kids on the Prairie
2025-11-09 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.
November 9 – Join Us for a Celebration of Our Year!
We’ll take a short walk near the gardens and Lost Lake listening and looking for signs of life. Afterward, wrap up the season with a slide show of 2025 KOTP activities, games, hot chocolate and cider.

Beyond the Bloom Art Exhibit Reception
2025-11-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Maron Massey’s exhibit of acrylic paintings on canvas at Holy Wisdom is a perfect fit with the mission of caring for the earth. Maron said, “my work is inspired by nature. Some of the paintings in this exhibit reflect time spent here at the monastery.” Maron wants people to be drawn in by her color palette first and then by the image. By using all the colors found in nature, she hopes her work will take people out of their daily concerns and recall what is really important.
Schedule
6:00 pm – Reception opens
6:30 pm – Maron will share her thoughts about her work and answer questions
8:00 pm – Reception concludes
Light refreshments will be provided by the artist.
Artist – Maron Massey
Maron Massey’s work can be found throughout the Madison area. She has 14 paintings in the permanent collection at Epic, the University of Wisconsin purchased three for their new eastside clinic and she recently completed 10 murals and 30 paintings for a downtown condominium association.

The exhibit is on display in the Monastery Gathering Area from November 5, 2025 – February 3, 2026. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (excluding holidays) and Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 am.
Registration
Please register by November 7, 2025, in order to have enough refreshments.

Living the Questions: A Courage & Renewal® Weekend
2025-11-14 19:00 - 2025-11-16 12:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Living the Questions: 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, November 14
3:00 pm – Check-in for Retreatants Staying in RGH
6:30 pm – Registration
7:00-9:00 pm – Session One
Saturday, November 15
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, November 16
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 November 7, 2025. The maximum number of participants is 24 and registration will close when full.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until November 7, 2025. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.

Fall Fallowing: A Seasonal Retreat
2025-11-19 13:00 - 2025-11-20 16:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
A changing landscape palette… the final harvests from the garden… the departure of migratory creatures… these seasonal milestones are reminders to notice and integrate past growth, honoring it for its role in nurturing future growth. This fall retreat invites you to pause and mark transitions – on the prairie and in your own life and heart. It will hold space for attention to both.
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.
Fall Fallowing Date/Times
Wed., November 19, 1:00 pm – Thu., November 20, 4:00 pm, 2025
Arrive between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm on November 19 to check into your room. The retreat begins at 1:00 pm on November 19 and concludes at 4:00 pm on November 20.
Exact schedule TBD. Will include rest, solitude, walking meditations, movement and art.
Cost
$250/person – Early bird registration until October 11, 2025
$295/person – Full price cost starting October 12, until sold out or November 12, 2025
The cost of the retreat includes program, meals (Wednesday dinner, Thursday breakfast and lunch) and overnight room.
Register
The registration deadline for this retreat is November 12, 2025, or when the retreat fills.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until November 12, 2025. 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 Brooke Livingston at blivingston@holywisdommonastery.org.

Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
2025-11-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 401 S Owen Dr, Madison, WI, 53711, United States
Holy Wisdom Monastery is joining area churches and co-sponsoring an Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.

Together we will reflect on God’s many blessings and our shared faith in Christ, while supporting those in need within the community. All participants are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items or make a cash donation to benefit local food pantries and the families they serve during the holiday season. After the service, there will be a reception with light refreshments and time for connection.

All are welcome!

Schedule

Arrive early to find parking
6:15 pm – Prelude
6:30-7:30 pm – Thanksgiving Service

Our Lady Queen Of Peace Parish is located at 401 S Owen Dr, Madison, WI.

Learn more at https://www.collaborationproject.us/thanksgiving

Advent Series: Ask a Sign of Your God (in-person)
2025-12-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
The words of Isaiah, from the Christian Old Testament, were given to an ancient people in times of great political, economic and spiritual upheaval. Poetic and prophetic – they were words of warning and admonishment, and also reassurance and encouragement. Isaiah was tremendously influential on the heart of Jesus; this Advent we have the chance to open our hearts to that same influence through words that echo from a time past into our own times of upheaval. Join us for conversation, reflection, and a contemplative consideration of these beautiful poetic and prophetic texts – inspiring our spiritual imaginations, leading us to an ancient well of wisdom, and offering a through-line of hope. This series is open to adults.
Schedule
Each gathering will include some teachings, reflections and small group conversations, and a time of contemplation on a text, a piece of art – writing, images, poetry or music.
Dates/Times
IN-PERSON – Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30 am

Dec. 2
Dec. 9
Dec. 16

Consider extending your experience by staying longer and attending optional prayer and/or lunch at the monastery. There is a fee for lunch if you decide to stay.

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 ($18): 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 – Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm

Dec. 3
Dec. 10
Dec. 17

Program Leader – Pam Shellberg

Pam Shellberg is the director of spiritual nourishment at Holy Wisdom, a teacher, a scripture scholar and a contemplative. She is eager to explore sacred texts in community with others, through historical and contemplative lenses, so that mystery, wisdom, courage and hope might be gifts received.

Cost
$35 per person or per screen for the series
If you are attending the in-person series, consider staying after for a delicious lunch prepared by our chef.
Please contact retreats@holywisdommonastery.org, 48 hours before the date(s) you wish to purchase lunch. The cost of one lunch is $18/person.
Register
Please register by Dec. 1, 2025 for the in-person or virtual Advent 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.

Advent Series: Ask a Sign of Your God (virtual)
2025-12-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
The words of Isaiah, from the Christian Old Testament, were given to an ancient people in times of great political, economic and spiritual upheaval. Poetic and prophetic – they were words of warning and admonishment, and also reassurance and encouragement. Isaiah was tremendously influential on the heart of Jesus; this Advent we have the chance to open our hearts to that same influence through words
that echo from a time past into our own times of upheaval. Join us for conversation, reflection, and a contemplative consideration of these beautiful poetic and prophetic texts – inspiring our spiritual imaginations, leading us to an ancient well of wisdom, and offering a through-line of hope. This series is open to adults.
Schedule
Each gathering will include some teachings, reflections and small group conversations, and a time of contemplation on a text, a piece of art – writing, images, poetry or music.
Dates/Times
IN-PERSON – Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30 am

Dec. 2
Dec. 9
Dec. 16

VIRTUAL – Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 pm

Dec. 3
Dec. 10
Dec. 17

Program Leader – Pam Shellberg

Pam Shellberg is the director of spiritual nourishment at Holy Wisdom, a teacher, a scripture scholar and a contemplative. She is eager to explore sacred texts in community with others, through historical and contemplative lenses, so that mystery, wisdom, courage and hope might be gifts received.

Cost
$35 per person or per screen for the series
If you are attending the in-person series, consider staying after for a delicious lunch prepared by our chef.
Please contact retreats@holywisdommonastery.org, 48 hours before the date(s) you wish to purchase lunch. The cost of one lunch is $18/person.
Register
Please register by Dec. 1, 2025 for the in-person or virtual Advent 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.

Advent Brunch
2025-12-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
You are invited to the Advent Brunch on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 10:00 am, after Sunday Assembly worship, to welcome the season. Please bring a festive side dish or sweets to share. We will provide an egg dish.
Cello students of George Teague will play music in the gathering area during the brunch.

Middleton High School Choir Holiday Concert
2025-12-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
All are welcome to join us for a joyful concert performed by the Middleton High School Choir on Thurs., Dec. 11, 2025, from 12:30-1:00 pm at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Each year the choir offers a multitude of mini concerts throughout the Middleton community and especially looks forward to coming to Holy Wisdom Monastery for the great audience, acoustics and cookies!
Help fill the assembly room and be surrounded by beautiful sounds of the season. Plus, join us after for cookies, hot beverages and fellowship. Bring your friends and enjoy this short break from your holiday preparations.
Register

Longest Night Taizé Prayer Service
2025-12-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us for a contemplative Taizé Prayer near the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year, to reflect on our loss, grief, sadness and loneliness. This event will replace our regular midday prayer at 11:45 am. The event will take place in the Monastery Assembly Room.
Consider extending your experience by staying longer and attending lunch at the monastery. There is a fee for lunch if you decide to stay.

12:00 pm – Lunch ($18): Enjoy a delicious meal prepared fresh by our chefs.

Schedule
11:00 am – Taizé will begin
Cost and Registration
There is no cost to attend the Taizé prayer, but please register below by December 15th, 2025 so we may plan accordingly.
