Silent retreats for reflection and renewal
A silent retreat offers time away from noise, screens, and daily demands. MonkMap helps you find quiet retreat centers, monastery guesthouses, and contemplative communities that welcome guests for periods of silence.
Whether you are looking for a Catholic silent retreat, a Zen meditation retreat, or a Trappist abbey guesthouse, you can browse verified listings and visit each community's official website before you go.
Silent retreat communities
Communities that offer silent retreat stays or structured quiet retreats.
Abbey of Gethsemani
TrappistTrappist, Kentucky, United States
The oldest working Trappist monastery in the United States, founded in 1848 and home to Thomas Merton for 27 years. Its guesthouse welcomes men and women of all faiths for silent, unstructured retreats, with hours of prayer and miles of wooded trails open to guests.
Visit websitevisitor-friendlyretreat stayssilent retreatpublic prayerBellarmine Jesuit Retreat House
CatholicBarrington, Illinois, United States
Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House is a retreat center in Barrington, Illinois, rooted in Catholic contemplative life. It belongs on MonkMap for visitors looking for structured retreat time, contemplative workshops, guided practice periods, quiet days, or a setting where ordinary life can slow down. Because the record does not yet include an official website, publish it as a research lead until guest access, retreat availability, and contact details are confirmed.
Visit websiteretreat stayssilent retreatIndiana, United States
Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center is a retreat center in Indiana, rooted in Benedictine monastic life. It belongs on MonkMap for visitors looking for structured retreat time, contemplative workshops, guided practice periods, quiet days, or a setting where ordinary life can slow down. Because the record does not yet include an official website, publish it as a research lead until guest access, retreat availability, and contact details are confirmed.
Visit websiteretreat stayssilent retreatBhavana Society
TheravadaHigh View, West Virginia, United States
A Theravada forest monastery and meditation center in the West Virginia hills, founded in 1982 by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. It offers regular silent meditation retreats, cabin and dorm housing, and a path for lay residents and those seeking ordination, supported entirely by donation.
Visit websiteretreat stayssilent retreatvolunteer stayCitrus Heights, California, United States
Christ the King Passionist Retreat Center is a Catholic retreat house in Citrus Heights, run by the Passionists of Holy Cross Province. The mission is stated simply: to support the personal reflection and spiritual growth of everyone who comes, according to their own needs, by holding a safe, welcoming, and prayerful environment and offering ministries of inspiration, education, and guidance. The Passionists bought the land from the Cross family estate in 1946 and moved into a small house on the property in November 1949, on the feast of Christ the King. The main retreat building opened on May 7, 1950, built to hold thirty retreatants with a chapel, dining room, library, and two offices. It has grown in stages since: eighteen rooms added in 1957 out of relocated military barracks from Mather Air Base, then the Holy Cross Building in 1987 with forty more rooms, three small conference rooms, and the large Quinn Room assembly space. The approach is part of the experience. A private drive lined with tall oleanders opens onto a white statue of St. Paul of the Cross, and guests frequently describe the arrival as stepping onto holy ground. The grounds hold a Memorial Garden dedicated to St. Paul of the Cross, the Garden of the Lord's Passion laid out as an outdoor Way of the Cross, a grotto for Our Lady of the Passion ringed by large redwoods, a shrine to Our Lady of Fatima, a labyrinth, a landscaped courtyard with a fountain and benches, and a number of smaller spots set aside for quiet prayer. Program offerings: Preached weekend and midweek retreats. Led by the Retreat Team, mixing scheduled conferences, communal prayer and Eucharist, and open personal time. Reconciliation is available, as is time with one of the retreat leaders. There are stretches of silence and stretches of conversation. The frame is individual work done in the company of others. Twelve Step retreats. Some of the first retreats in California for men and women in Alcoholics Anonymous were held here, and the center still runs a regular Twelve Step series plus weekly AA meetings. Newcomers and long timers alike are invited. Directed retreats and days of recollection. Plus seasonal offerings: Advent and Lent days of prayer, an Ash Wednesday day of prayer, one day bereavement retreats, a Triduum retreat, and a New Year's Eve retreat. Married couples and engaged retreats, and eastern spirituality retreats. Hosted groups. Parishes, Catholic schools, dioceses, deacon and priest retreats, universities, youth organizations, and other Christian churches bring their own programs to the facility. Roughly 3,000 people attend the center's own programs each year, with another 4,000 or so coming through as hosted groups. Two related ministries operate from the site: an Institute for Counseling and Spiritual Direction, and the Spiritual Life Institute, founded to offer spiritual education and build ecumenical connections. The Community of Passionist Partners brings lay men and women, married and single, into the work alongside the religious community. What to expect This is a Catholic house rooted in the Passionist charism of preaching the Passion of Jesus, so it suits someone seeking that tradition better than someone looking for a purely secular stay, though other Christian groups regularly use the facility and the ecumenical door is genuinely open. Rooms are single occupancy with private bathrooms, air conditioned and heated, each with a writing desk and lounge chair, most looking out on old growth oak and redwood. Two suites add a sitting area and kitchenette. Meals come from a full kitchen with two chefs and a corps of volunteers. Wi-Fi is generally limited to common areas rather than guest rooms. The center notes that it aims to offer retreats regardless of ability to pay, supported by volunteers and benefactors. Practical details Location: 6520 Van Maren Lane, Citrus Heights, CA 95621 Phone: 916.725.4720 Email: christtheking@passionist.org Tradition: Roman Catholic, Passionist (C.P.), Diocese of Sacramento Founded: retreat building completed May 1950, community on site since 1946 Lodging: 67 single rooms with private baths, including two suites Meeting space: four conference rooms, groups from 10 to 110, AV and Wi-Fi available Dining: maximum occupancy 120 Office hours: weekdays, generally 9am to 5pm, closed weekends Website: christthekingretreatcenter.org
Visit websiteretreat stayssilent retreatMepkin Abbey
TrappistMoncks Corner, South Carolina, United States
A Trappist monastery on a former plantation along the Cooper River north of Charleston, founded in 1949 by monks from Gethsemani. Guests join the community for silent meals and seven daily prayer services, and the public gardens and grounds are open to day visitors.
Visit websitevisitor-friendlyretreat stayssilent retreatpublic prayerMost Holy Trinity Monastery
CatholicPetersham, Massachusetts, United States
Home to the Maronite Monks of Adoration, a Catholic monastic community in the Eastern Maronite tradition. Individual men and small groups of men are welcome for silent retreats in the guesthouse, joining the monks for the Divine Office, Mass, and adoration in a secluded setting without cell or internet access.
Visit websiteretreat stayssilent retreatpublic prayerNew Camaldoli Hermitage
CatholicBig Sur, California, United States
A Camaldolese Benedictine hermitage perched in the Santa Lucia Mountains above the Pacific. Guests of any faith stay in simple rooms or hillside cottages for silent retreats, joining the monks for daily liturgy and the Hours.
Visit websitevisitor-friendlyretreat stayssilent retreatpublic prayerSt. Joseph's Abbey
TrappistSpencer, Massachusetts, United States
A Trappist community in the hills of central Massachusetts, known for its Trappist Preserves and liturgical vestments. The abbey welcomes guests for contemplative retreats shaped by its life of silence, prayer, and work.
visitor-friendlyretreat stayssilent retreatpublic prayerMount Tremper, New York, United States
A Western Zen training center on 220 forested acres in the Catskills, founded by John Daido Loori and home of the Mountains and Rivers Order. Resident monastics and lay trainees host meditation retreats and introductory programs for people of all backgrounds.
Visit websitevisitor-friendlyretreat stayssilent retreat
Common questions
- What is a silent retreat?
- A silent retreat is a stay focused on quiet, prayer or meditation, and rest. Many monasteries and retreat centers maintain periods of silence so guests can reflect without conversation or digital distraction.
- How do I prepare for a silent retreat?
- Research the community's schedule, dress code, and guest policies on their official website. Pack simply, plan to unplug, and arrive with an open mind about shared meals, prayer times, and community rules.