Spiritual Direction

A retreat is a time of silence set apart for reflection, prayer, and spiritual growth. It can be for only a few hours, a day, a weekend, or even longer. A person on private retreat spends time in quiet and solitude. In this quiet and solitude, the Divine is sought.

Spiritual direction is an opportunity for spiritual growth, an age-old tradition in the Church of journeying with another in order to help see and hear the workings of God more clearly. The focus of spiritual direction is to enable an individual to grow in his/her relationship with God, others, self and all of creation in the ups and downs of life's journey.

A spiritual director generally meets with an individual on a monthly basis for about an hour, and on a daily basis in the course of a directed retreat.

Villa Maria has an on-going ministry of spiritual direction. Our spiritual directors bring a listening heart as well as the theological background and training for the ministry of spiritual direction. The following are available for spiritual guidance. Please call the Villa to make arrangements.

Sr. Margaret Galiardi, OP

Sister Margaret, a member of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, NY, brings a host of skills and perspectives to the retreat center. She has created original retreats such as “Death-Resurrection: The Deep Mystery of God,” and “The Sacred Journey Then and Now: A Holy Week Retreat.” She has lectured nationally and locally on such topics as “Images of God,” “Earth, Spirit and You: A Spirituality of the 21^st Century,” and “The Four Directions: Discovering the Outside Inside.” She has created presentations about Catholic social thought and ecology, and she has explored the role of world religions in their attempt to care for the Earth. Sister Margaret has created original Earth-Based retreats and led Vision Quests for adults and college-aged youth

Arrangement for individual retreats and spiritual direction can may be made contacting us by phone or e-mail. Accommodations can be arranged for almost any day, weekend or week.