Reflections from "3-Day Silent Retreat"
February 6-8, 2018

This was such a wonderful experience for me. Knowing a little bit about what to expect, I didn't have much in the way of expectations. I had no idea what it would be like to do a silent retreat - this is my first one - But going into quiet here, with your support and hospitality, created a space in me I haven't accessed in this way. I realize that it's a place I can occupy when I create space in many ways - silence being one of them - which means it is there whenever I need it. What freedom! Thank you!

This is exactly what I needed; a time of quiet, reflection and prayer. Am leaving in a much better place than when I came. Thank you for the lovely welcome, the delicious meals, the wonderful gift of the green room, and for caring and wise words. This has been my best experience on a retreat. I will definitely be returning.

The quiet was especially felt in the sifting snowfall. My heart was open, my anxieties still. The Holy Whisper was heard on the land! Thank you to all who make this holy space beautiful & possible for we who show up at the door! Blessings be yours.

This is my first silent retreat and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be here. I feel blessed, refreshed and more spiritually aware. It is so good to come away with Him and enjoy abundance here at Loretto Maryholme.

Love it all!

Awesome! I particularly appreciated the time to study, reflect, the spiritual direction. Thank you.

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Reflections from "Wrapped in Wonder"
December 1-3, 2017

As always, a restful relaxing experience that helped me forget my daily struggles for a time, but also helped draw me closer to God and strengthen me to deal with the daily struggles.

Soothing and peaceful. A wonderful spot for prayer and reflection. I will be back!

Wonderful! Awe ful!

This place, and its caretakers, are truly "more than ordinary". I feel more compelled and prepared than ever before to take what I have learned & try to make a difference in the world.

Reflections from "3-Day Silent Retreat"
November 7-9, 2017

Thank you so much. This is a place and people who encourage - where my soul finds rest!
Deep and prayer-full gratitude.

The overall experience was pure delight. I was nervous coming but found it so natural to be in silence. I loved being in community but not obligated to interact. It allowed me to be alone with God. I learned how to eat with reverence, how to delight in the natural surroundings and received excellent insight from the Spiritual Director - wow! I also felt guided and upheld by God. A truly spiritual experience & gift.
​Thank you!

Reflections from "Autumn Equinox"
September 21, 2017

Reflections from "In The Company of Women"
August 6-11/17

"It was another relaxing and rewarding experience. It was great meeting the other women attending the program and surprising how quickly personal connections were made. Rain or shine, I love being here and look forward to returning."

"No matter how tired or stressed I am when I arrive, I always leave refreshed & restored."

"Calm, relaxing, no pressure. Time spent with friends I don't see too often. Nice to have "nothing" to do. Other retreatants very kind and friendly. Loved sitting on the deck. Thank you!"

"Wonderful beyond words!"

"This space is breathtaking. I feel so blessed and privileged to have found this place... It was so relaxing to be here. I feel rested, soothed and comforted by being surrounded visually with such beauty and also pyhsically living in such a beautiful cottage. The Among Women theme was perfect. No demands or pressures. Able to engage with others as little or much as desired. It was just so great."
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Reflections from "Befriending Silence in Everyday Life"
​July 3-7, 2017

"A wonderful & beautiful place to rest. There was a spaciousness to the retreat, and I felt supported by the structure provided by the meetings and mealtimes. It is a safe space to open to God's grace."

"I appreciated Brenda's strength & gentleness, I felt held and supported during the retreat. I looked forward to the group meetings. Very wise woman, nuggets of wisdom to practise, this is the real deal! Would love to have another retreat with Brenda."

"The freedom to be silent allowed many "thoughts" to flow through & leave. Freedom from not having to "talk", "acknowledge" others was huge. No obligation to wear a social mask & being about silence set the stage for me to stay silent and in silence. It was a gift to know silence is so healing. I also felt in silence we can be together without judgement."

"This is a beautiful place and was the exact right timing for me to come. I instantly felt at home, everything has been so comfortable. I could stay longer - I could stay forever probably. I will most definately come back again."

Reflections from "5 Day Silent Retreat"
July 9-14, 2017

"I came tired and weary and found the time, the silence, and the beauty very healing. This place continually draws me to come and "rest awhile",  to be with the One who is Love and to come in touch again with my truest self."

"I am deeply grateful for the many gifts of this time. The Spirit filled every second. I carry powerful reminders and awareness back to everyday life. May gratitude and praise continue to sing in me."

"I felt truly blesses to have Jane as a spiritual director. She intuited so well where I was being drawn."

"I had a great retreat. It was quiet & restful, prayerful, God-filled in the beautiful garden... flowers, birds, animals, lake ... water, sunsets.... wow!"

"Beyond words. It is a privilege to be with one so deeply formed herself."

"A blessing, bountiful and healing. From the generosity of my beautiful room to the beautiful grounds, the care given to our spaces to sit, walk, swim, eat - the honouring of silence, and the deep sense of the Presence of God with us has been profoundlyhealing for me. Thank you, each one, for how you compose this place, how you work together and seem to have your own joy and "light touch" in creating a time & space for such as I to come to. I give thanks for you & for the work of Maryholme."

Reflections from "Finding God In All Things"
​March 17-19, 2017

"I always feel so blessed to be here - and wish I could be here more often. It is a sacred place where I can pray, relax, enjoy God's creation. From the moment I arrive I feel at home, know that God is present, and feel at peace. Thank you and God bless your ministry here."

"A guided retreat is strongly recommended as I have experienced here on Ignatian Spirituality... it provided a calm and quiet environment for me to get in touch with my inner self and rediscover ways to connect to God."

"I had not been on a retreat for about 40 years, so not sure what to expect. I know I wanted to grow deeper in my spiritual journey. My mission was accomplished. I found another way to pray."

Reflections from "The Holiness of Waiting"
​December 2-3, 2016

"Simple yet profound. Was given time to explore, delve into myself, listen to others and learn. This was a beautiful experience filled with great insight and shared realizations. Thank you!"
"God gift; am leaving much more centered."
"There are no words to describe my overall experience. It was divine."
"A time of much-needed solace. And the insertion of God's surprises in tiny, seedlike insights for this time.  Thank you, every one for your warm caring and wisdom."
"I always enjoy my experience at Loretto Maryholme (every aspect). It is a place I come to get a little piece of myself back."
"Wonderful! And rejuvenating as always. Not so much a getaway as a getting back to. Will be sure to come again."
"Enjoyed every moment. The program was exactly what I had hoped for and more. I am already looking forward to next year."

Reflections from "In the Company of Women"
July 3-August 7, 2016

"It feels like coming home! I've so enjoyed my week here."

"These few days were a true vacation for body and spirit.
Thank you and God bless!"

"I didn't think Maryholme could get any better. Thank you."

"Staff hospitality was more than wonderful. All of the staff are so welcoming - I had not been around before when there were so many grounds people and staff other than the Jane's and Mary ...
the rest of the staff were so nice whenever we met."

Reflections from "8-Day Silent Retreat"
​July 21-29, 2016

"For me, this retreat met my needs at the present time. The space, silence, spiritual direction, and open-ended process were a gift."

"Coming here was exactly what I needed & much more than I wanted. There is beauty with every glance."

"This week as just what I needed. The silent & quiet of the group was outstanding... Great respect was shown for others."

"Life-altering!"

Reflections from "5-Day Silent Retreat"
​July 10-15, 2016

"I have been abundantly blessed during my days of retreat at Mayholme. I have connected with my soul in a deep and very real sense. I came here weary and empty and I am leaving feeling deep peace and connection. The healing beauty of nature, and time just to breathe has nourished me - body and soul. Thank you."

"The grounds around Maryholme are a great invitation to "go deeper". I found I was able to do that."

"I was exhausted on arrival. The freedom of the schedule allowed/encouraged rest. The silence encouraged reflection and the grounds shouted Praise to the Creator. Thank you all for your ministry."

"My time here was deeply nurturing, supportive and allowed me to delve into my relationship with the Divine in many ways. I am deeply grateful for the safe, beautiful, encouraging and spacious container that Loretto Maryholme provides to retreatants."

Reflections from "Contemplative Presence and Practice
in Everyday Life" July 3 - 7, 2016

"This retreat more than fulfilled my expectations. 
I go home able to be quiet on the inside in whatever situation 
I might be."

"I had a wonderful experience. I appreciated Brenda's approach & knowledge. Was very peaceful, relaxing, thoughtful."

"I much appreciated the quiet, peaceful, atmosphere."

Reflections from "The Sanctuary of Writing"
May 6-8, 2016

"I'm so thankful to have this experience as my first retreat. The Writer's Sanctuary has been outstanding and the staff so warm and welcoming. I look forward to coming again sometime."

"What an incredible, healing place. The retreat helped center me.
I feel ready to go forward. Thank you."

"Thanks for a weekend of light."

"The first time I came to Maryholme, I was 19 years old. I am now 77, and can say every 'stay" here has been nourishing and delightful."

Reflections from "The Coming Light"
Dec. 4-5, 2015

"A wonderful time of peace and contemplation."

"Surpassed my expectations. Very thought provoking.
A wonderful opportunity to experience and take in the differing perspectives on the meaning of Christmas belonging to/as per other women's opinions. Introduced brand new ways of thinking about Christmas, and the birth of Jesus, and Mary's pregnancy. A very hopeful, hope-filled experience.

I am leaving here with a deep sense of peace in my heart.
I've been telling family & friends my coming here
was my Christmas gift to myself and so it has been!
The best possible one."

"As always, Maryholme brings forth a rest in weariness,
food for thought as well as body, images that nurture and invite deepening, and leadership founded on firm ground
of tradition as it dances with our contemporary challenges.
Thank you for this time of spirit."