Holy Wisdom Monastery

Center for Clergy Renewal Gratitude Brunch
2026-06-28 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Each year, 18 pastors from across the country come to Holy Wisdom to experience a Contemplative Immersion. As they enter the beauty of the prairie, the prayerful rhythms of the monastery, and the rich Benedictine welcome of the community, they are met by a grace that is life-changing. At this Gratitude Brunch, you will have a chance to hear how they have been impacted by their time at Holy Wisdom Monastery and perhaps remember the ways that Holy Wisdom also holds and graces your own life! Come to get to know them, celebrate this ministry, and be nourished by a shared meal and a shared sense of God’s presence in this place!
Schedule

10:00-10:20 am – Transition from Sunday Assembly and get food
10:20 am – Welcome
10:30 am – Pastors share

Register
Please register by June 20, 2026.

Sacred Queerness: Earth-Based Spiritual Retreat
2026-07-11 09:30 - 2026-07-12 11:30
SOLD OUT
We are grateful for all of the interest in this event. Registration for this experience is currently full. You can join the waitlist with this link.
Event Description
Queer and Trans people are a sacred part of the Earth, always have been, and always will be. We invite LGBTQ+ people of all ages to join four local queer spiritual leaders and land stewards for a two-day, one-night healing retreat at Holy Wisdom Monastery. The retreat will hold time for writing and art, work with the restored prairie and savanna ecosystems that surround the monastery and an exploration of what we hold as sacred.
Recognizing the religious trauma many of us carry, we are defining the “sacred” in this retreat broadly as “that which is bigger than us” – our place in the world, community and how we find profound meaning. Sacred Queerness is open to people of any religious/spiritual path or none and participants will be asked to protect and honor this diversity. In an unsafe and turbulent time, we will strengthen community bonds, connect with the local more-than-human world and affirm our place on Earth.
Please bring a journal and something to write with.
This retreat is for anyone who identifies as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. LGBTQIA+ people under 18 should attend with a trusted adult, who may be an ally.
Event Schedule
Saturday, July 11
9:30-10:00 am – Arrive and Mingle
10:00-10:50 am – Receiving Queer Wisdom – Poetry and Readings
11:00-11:50 am – Expressing Queer Wisdom – Journaling/Drawing
Noon-1:00 pm – Lunch in the Monastery
1:00-2:00 pm – Healed Land Heals Us – Walking Tour of the Prairie
2:00-3:30 pm – Caring for the Land – Restoration Work Project
3:30-5:00 pm – Free Time
5:15-6:15 pm – Dinner
6:30-7:30 pm – Nature Art
8:00 pm – Bonfire – Ritual Release and Joy Under the Stars
Sunday, July 12
8:00-9:00 am – Breakfast
9:00-10:00 am – Welcoming the Sacred – Outdoor Meditation or Ecumenical Worship
10:30-11:30 am – Closing and Group Photo

Speakers – Becca Bedell, Pam Shellberg, Rev. Manato Jansen and Rachel Young Binter

Becca Bedell (they/she) is a writer and a volunteer land steward with Friends of Wisdom Prairie and Dane County Parks. They serve as Basic Needs Advocate at OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center, coordinating housing and food assistance.

Pam Shellberg (she/her) is the Director of Spiritual Nourishment at Holy Wisdom Monastery, offering retreats and studies of spiritual traditions and practices. She is a homilist at the monastery and a spiritual director.

Rev. Manato Jansen (he/him) is a presider and homilist at Holy Wisdom Monastery. He serves as Director of Residential Community at Pres House (UW-Madison), facilitating LGBTQ+ spiritual communities and scholarship programs for students.

Rachel Young Binter (she/her) is the Director of the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery and a former campus pastor. She is an experienced retreat leader, certified therapeutic yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner who finds joy and healing in embodied care, the earth and acts of justice.

Cost
$200/retreatant. Cost includes lunch and dinner on Saturday as well as breakfast on Sunday. We understand the importance of this retreat and we do not want expense to keep anyone from attending. Scholarships are available to help cover registration fees, if needed.
Parents/Guardians must accompany minors on this retreat, but will only be responsible for the meal portion of the registration fee ($57).
Register
Please register by July 4, 2026. The maximum number of participants is 19 and registration will close when full. Once registration fills, we will have a waiting list in case a space becomes available.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until July 4, 2026. 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 for a lower registration cost or if you have other questions about accommodations, please contact us at retreats@holywisdommonastery.org.
Registration is currently full. You can join the waitlist by clicking this link.

Feast of Benedict & Scholastica Brunch
2026-07-12 10:15 - 11:45
You are invited to join us for the Feast of Benedict and Scholastica Brunch on Sunday, July 12, 2026 following Sunday Assembly.
Feast of Benedict and Scholastica Brunch
An annual celebration to honor Benedict and Scholastica as a Sunday Assembly Community; to gather for a meal and conversation; to give thanks for the sisters and for the honor of being part of Holy Wisdom and the beautiful Prairie.
Menu

Frittata (gluten-free)
Vegetarian frittata (gluten-free)
Fresh fruit
Roasted potatoes

Schedule

10:15 am – Gather in the Guest Dining Room

Cost & Registration
There is no cost to participants for this event, but we encourage registration to plan accordingly.
Please register by July 4, 2026. The food menu for this event is set and cannot accommodate certain dietary restrictions.

Summer Plentitude: A Seasonal Retreat
2026-07-14 13:00 - 2026-07-15 16:00
A riot of color on the prairie welcomes you to seek and celebrate your own abundance. This summer retreat invites you sit with the lush growth of the season – on the prairie and in your own life and heart. It will hold space for attention to both.
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 plentitude and abundance of the season 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

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

Summer Plentitude Date/Times
Tue., Jul. 14, 1:00 pm – Wed., Jul. 15, 4:00 pm, 2026
Cost
$295/person ($260/person early bird registration until June 6th, 2026)
The cost of the retreat includes program, meals (Tuesday dinner, Wednesday breakfast and lunch) and overnight room.
Register
The registration deadline for this retreat is July 6th, 2026, or when the retreat fills.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until July 7th. 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.

Summer Stewards 2026
2026-07-21 15:00 - 2026-07-26 11:30
Are you concerned about climate change? Does life feel uncertain and chaotic? Are you longing for time away to reground yourself? Are you looking for time for reflection, discernment and prayer? Would you like to deepen your spirituality in a setting that connects your faith with care for the earth?
Become a Summer Steward for six days in July at Holy Wisdom Monastery, an intentional women’s community with deep roots in the Benedictine tradition. Live the monastic tradition of prayer, work and rest in a progressive, inclusive community whose mission includes being in right relationship with the earth and one another. Join us for prairie and oak savanna restoration, gardening, daily prayer and spiritual conversation. Share your experiences, reflections and questions with women on a similar journey.
All this while living together in community on the monastery grounds. No previous experience required. We are an ecumenical community and encourage single, unpartnered women 18-45 to apply.

Wisdom Prairie Summer Tour
2026-07-23 08:30 - 10:30
Join us Jul. 23 for the annual Wisdom Prairie Summer Tour – one of four free, guided seasonal prairie tours at Holy Wisdom Monastery, one of the most peaceful places near Madison, WI.
Whether you’re an experienced nature enthusiast looking to discover a new trail with a beautiful view of Lake Mendota and the Wisconsin State Capitol, seeking to deepen your relationship with this land or wanting to add more grounding, outdoor activities to your mental wellness routine, there will be something for you on this unique tour!
Environmental education on each guided nature walk will be tailored to the trails you visit and what you encounter along the way.
Frequent tour topics include:

Native prairie plants and pollinators
Butterflies, birds and wildlife habitats
Oak savanna and wetland ecology
Wisconsin seasonal changes
Environmental stewardship and local history
Mindfulness and connection with the natural world

We hope you will join us for this restorative outdoor experience and that our local bird watchers and hikers in attendance will find their new favorite spot at Holy Wisdom Monastery! Slow down, reconnect with nature and discover one of Middleton’s most beautiful outdoor spaces by signing up today.
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.

FAQ:
What will I see on the Wisdom Prairie Summer Tour?
Summer – The summer landscape at Holy Wisdom Monastery is full of native plants with colorful flowers. Wildlife such as turkeys and deer are frequently active. Insects including butterflies and bees work to pollinate.
Are the Holy Wisdom Monastery trails open to the public?
Yes; Holy Wisdom Monastery’s trails are open to the public! In addition, we have many other opportunities to engage with our land including environmental events, volunteering, nature brochures, trail maps, and more.
What do I need to know about accessibility for this event?
The tour will cover 1-1.5 miles on walking trails at a leisurely pace. Various tour lengths will be offered. Elevation and trail conditions may vary depending on recent weather. Must be able to walk one mile on mowed hiking trails. Please dress for the weather and consider bringing a walking stick if helpful.
Directions
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.
Thank you!
This tour is hosted for free by knowledgeable tour guides from the Holy Wisdom Monastery staff and our Friends of Wisdom Prairie volunteers.

Expressions Community Art Exhibit Reception
2026-07-26 10:00 - 12:00
Join us on Sunday, July 26, 2026 for the opening reception of Expressions, the newest art exhibit at Holy Wisdom Monastery. This exhibit features artwork by people involved with Holy Wisdom Monastery including painting, stained glass, colored pencil, pastels, photography, collage, fiber arts and block and monotype prints. In 2025, 32 people from a variety of monastery communities had their work showcased in the exhibit.
Schedule
The art exhibit will be installed on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The opening reception will be held after the Sunday Assembly Worship Service on July 26, 2026 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Artists will be available to speak with attendees about their work. Light refreshments will be provided by the artists.
The exhibit is on display in the Monastery Gathering Area from July 8 – September 20, 2026. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (excluding holidays) and Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 am.
Registration
Registration is not necessary for this event. The opening reception will take place after Sunday Assembly and is free to attend.

Shinrin-Yoku: Walks for the Weary
2026-08-01 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for a relaxing walk on the prairie at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
It will be a slow-paced quiet walk guided by Valerie Vervoort, a certified Shinrin-yoku guide. The intent of this 90-minute walk is renewal through using our senses of sight, hearing, touch and taste. Invitations planned by your guide are easy and subject to each person’s comfort level. Sharing and tea will be part of the experience.
Participants will need to dress appropriately for weather conditions and be able to walk a mile and a half on trails that are sometimes uneven and include gentle slopes. Walking sticks are encouraged. Walk starts and ends at the kiosk in the monastery building parking lot.
Proceeds from these walks go to support programs at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
2026 Dates/Times

Aug. 1 – 10:00-11:30 am
Oct. 3 – 10:00-11:30 am

Leader – Valerie Vervoort
Valerie Vervoort grew up exploring the woods and Mississippi River on her family farm in Northern Minnesota. She earned a master’s degree in education and taught in daycares for many years where she was known for gardening and encouraging kids to explore the outdoors. After retirement she volunteered as the ‘Garden Grandma’ at Fox Prairie Elementary School’s gardens. In 2020, she became an Oblate at Holy Wisdom Monastery, volunteered for prairie workdays and as a trail monitor. In 2024 her interest in the land as a healer lead to getting certified as a Forest Therapy Guide in May of that year. She has since lead Forest Therapy walks for Oblates, Sunday Assembly members and a visiting college choir.

Cost
$37/person (no lunch)
$56/person (with lunch, Jul. 24 registration deadline)
Register
Please register by Jul. 31, 2026. This offering is limited to 15 people and registration will close when full. There is no refund if you need to cancel your registration.

Festival on the Prairie
2026-08-06 17:00 - 20:00
Event Description
Join us for the Festival on the Prairie on Thursday, August 6, 5:00-8:00 pm. There will be music by Annie and the Oakies, three local food carts from FEED Kitchen with food for purchase, children’s activities, garden and prairie tours, beer and soft drinks for purchase and free ice cream. Bring picnic blankets or camp chairs. Join us to celebrate a beautiful summer night with our community. All are welcome!
Food Carts

Sandwich Hub
Las Islas Filipinas
Afghan Kabul Cuisine

Event Schedule

5:00 pm – Doors Open

Food Carts Begin Serving
Beer and Soft Drinks Available
Free Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Available

5:30 pm – Music Starts
5:45 pm – Garden Tours
6:00 pm – Prairie Tours

Please bring your friends and family and consider sharing this flyer with others.
Cost & Registration
This event is free to attend, but please register by July 29th, 2026 so that we may plan accordingly. Please carpool if possible.

Wild Spirituality: Restoring Sacred Relationship with Earth
2026-08-07 18:00 - 2026-08-09 11:00
In this weekend eco-spiritual retreat, we gather to remember our heritage as humans in loving relationship with the wider beloved community of life.
Earth groans for our full re-engagement as participants in what Thich Nhat Hanh called the web of interbeing. As the systems of our culture and planet unravel, this moment calls us to remember that we belong to an interconnected web of life – an intimate love story with an animate and living world.
Centuries of dominating culture and religion have often separated spirituality from the rest of creation. Yet our souls remember that hawks, soil, thunder and maple trees are kin. Many of us feel a longing to restore that sacred relationship.
The call of the wild – the recurring return to the wilderness in Judeo-Christian stories – often appears at times of profound change. Returning to wilderness is not simply a dark night of the soul. It is a call to return to relationship: with Earth, with soul and with the sacred presence moving through all things. An invitation to rewild your spirituality and remember that you belong – to Earth, to one another and to the holy story unfolding through us.
Schedule
Friday evening (6:30-8:00 pm) Victoria Loorz, will offer an introduction to the theology and practice of wild spirituality.
Saturday will be devoted to experiential eco-spiritual invitations: wandering the restored prairie, oak savanna and woodlands of Holy Wisdom Monastery, listening deeply to the land and returning to shared circle for sacred conversation.
Sunday morning (9:00-11:00 am) will be for a Wild Church Experience.
Program Leader – Victoria Loorz, MDiv.
Victoria Loorz, MDiv. is a Wild Church pastor and eco-spiritual guide devoted to restoring sacred relationship between humans and the more-than-human world. Founder and Director of the Center for Wild Spirituality, home to the Wild Church Network, a network of over 300 place-based eco-spiritual gatherings and Seminary of the Wild Earth, a two year eco-spiritual intensive to re-weave your spirituality and vocation back into intimate relationship with the land, waters, and wild beings of your home habitat. Author of Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred and Field Guide to Church of the Wild, as well as the upcoming Wild Spirituality: How the Sacred Invites Us into Kinship with Nature.

Cost
$250 commuter; $435 residential
Register
Please register by Jul. 30, 2026.
Cancellation policy – if you register but must cancel your registration, you can receive a 75% refund up until Jul. 30, 2026. After that, a 50% refund is available until the retreat starts.

Kids on the Prairie
2026-08-09 10:30 - 12:00
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.
August 9 – Pollinators Everywhere
Explore Wisdom Prairie. See what is blooming and buzzing. Look for flowers everywhere. How many different kinds can you find? What bugs do you see? Why are those Bumble Bees buzzing?

Wild Spirituality: Invitation and Conversation
2026-08-09 13:00 - 15:00
“The old story is no longer effective. Yet we have not learned ‘the new story.’ We are talking only to ourselves. We are not talking to the rivers, we are not listening to the wind and stars. We have broken the great conversation.” – Thomas Berry
Victoria Loorz wrestled with this broken conversation as a pastor, mother, and climate activist, listening deeply and following its call for repair. Recognizing that intimacy with the rest of the sacred world is the foundation for ecological and spiritual regeneration, she has taken up the work of restoring sacred relationship with the land through Church of the Wild, Seminary of the Wild and the Wild Church Network. By way of her speaking, writing, and guiding, many have been invited to open their hearts to the voices of the sacred whispering though forest and ocean, in the wind and stars.
Join Victoria in a conversation about about the reconnection of spirituality and nature that she calls “wild spirituality”; join with others who also long to return to a more intimate relationship with the living world; discover together new courage, clarity and energy for the loving work of restoration and repair.
Program Leader – Victoria Loorz, MDiv.
Victoria Loorz, MDiv. is a Wild Church pastor and eco-spiritual guide devoted to restoring sacred relationship between humans and the more-than-human world. Founder and Director of the Center for Wild Spirituality, home to the Wild Church Network, a network of over 300 place-based eco-spiritual gatherings and Seminary of the Wild Earth, a two year eco-spiritual intensive to re-weave your spirituality and vocation back into intimate relationship with the land, waters, and wild beings of your home habitat. Author of Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred and Field Guide to Church of the Wild, as well as the upcoming Wild Spirituality: How the Sacred Invites Us into Kinship with Nature.

Cost
$37/person
Register
Please register by Aug. 1, 2026. There is no refund if you need to cancel your registration.

Contemplative Cooking Class: Summer
2026-08-16 15:00 - 18:00
Join us for a beginner friendly 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 summer meal.
The cooking class is mostly demonstrational, with a few hands-on opportunities for those that present themselves as more interested in a hands-on opportunity. The contemplative cooking classes are mindful, technique-focused cooking classes, celebrating peak-season ingredients.
Together we will prepare a light, vibrant menu featuring Chilled Sweet Corn Velouté, a Tomato-Peach Salad, Sautéed Collard Greens with Boquerones, Lemon-Shallot Fingerling Potatoes and Baked Parmesan-Herb Crusted Fish.
Skills this class will teach:

Palate development (learn how to taste food and understand how to food taste)
Seasonal cooking skills (different cooking skills and why are they appropriate for different seasons)
Ethics in working in a kitchen
Being mindful and present while doing a task
Contemplating the gift of all creation while cooking.
Learning about ingredients and building intimacy with it.

Cost & Registration
$65/person. Please register by Aug. 8. Limited to 16 people.
There are no refunds for cancellations, however registrations are transferable to another attendee by the person who purchased the program.

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.

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!”

Listening to Land, Listening to Self: An Eco-Contemplative Writing Retreat
2026-08-29 09:00 - 2026-08-30 16:00
What does the land tell us when we truly listen?
How does a pesticide-sprayed lawn or a restored oak savanna affect our bodies and minds? In this two-day contemplative writing retreat, we’ll explore the role of writers in this time of climate crisis and discover how to grieve what is lost while finding strength and joy in what is possible.
We’ll use creative writing, mindfulness practices and the land at Holy Wisdom Monastery to connect with the wisdom that arises when we listen deeply to ourselves or a place. We’ll use periods of mindful awareness, writing, sharing, reading and discussion to explore the power of our words to create a liveable future.
You’ll leave with fresh writing, readings and tools to inspire your creative and contemplative practices, and connection to others who care about the more-than-human-world.
Schedule (subject to change)
Saturday

9:00-10:00 am – Welcome, introductions, and writing session
10:00-10:15 am – Break
10:15-11:15 am – Meditation, mindful writing instruction, optional sharing
11:15 am-12:00 pm – Mindful walking and writing outside
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm – Meditation, reading, and discussion
2:15-2:30 pm – Break
2:30-3:00 pm – Writing and optional sharing
3:00-3:45 pm – Dialogue with a more than human being (outside)
3:45-4:00 pm – Close

Sunday

9:00-9:30 am – Meditation
9:30-10:00 am – Writing
10:00-10:15 am – Break
10:15-11:15 am – Mirror walk with partner outside
11:15 am-12:00 pm – Writing and optional sharing
12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00-2:15 pm – Meditation, reading, and discussion
2:15-2:30: Break
2:30-3:30: Listening to land exercise (outside)
3:30-4:00: Closing ceremony

Workshop Leader – Rebecca Jamieson
Rebecca Jamieson grew up on the land between Spring Green and Dodgeville, where she spent countless hours exploring the rock outcroppings, woods, and fields. After 12 years living on the West Coast and New England, she now lives in Madison.

Rebecca is the author of the poetry collection The Body of All Things and is the recipient of a 2025 Wisconsin Writers Award, and the 2024 Tupelo Press Prose Prize. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Rattle, The Offing, The Mid-American Review and the anthology Driftless. She’s currently at work on a collection of personal essays.

When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, baking, or cuddling her two cats.

Cost
Commuter: $220/person

Includes Saturday and Sunday lunch.

Residential: $295/person

Provides overnight accommodations.
Includes Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch.

Early bird pricing: $35 off per package until June 1, 2026.
Register
Please register by August 20, 2026. The capacity of the program is 20 people and registration will close when full.
Cancellation policy: If you need to cancel your registration, 75% of the cost is refundable before the August 20, 2026 registration deadline, and 50% of the cost is refundable after the registration deadline until the start of the program.
