Retreat with us and be spiritually renewed

Retreats at Minsteracres

Situated in the land of the northern saints in beautiful countryside on the borders of Northumberland and County Durham, our Passionist retreat centre is ideally placed to support you on your journey of faith.

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2023/2024 Programme

We offer a varied programme of day, weekend and week-long events throughout the year. Please see the programme details below.

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Individual Retreats

We offer individual retreats and are happy to provide guidance, or you can have space to yourself for reflection.  Please use the enquiry form below.

Welcome to Our 2024 Programme

Welcome to our Retreat Programme for 2024 where you will find details of various residential and day retreats we have on offer in the coming months.

Welcoming guests of all faiths and none, this Passionist retreat centre is set in 110 acres of gardens, park and woodland and is situated in beautiful countryside on the border of Northumberland and County Durham

Founded in Italy in 1720 by St Paul of the CrossSt John of the Cross, the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ “The Passionists” have a special ministry to promote the Memory of the Passion of Jesus by both word and deed for the Passion of Jesus is truly the greatest story of God’s love for humanity and His creation.

In 2024, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the first Passionists at Minsteracres.  So, our retreat theme for 2024 is “The Saving and Transforming power of the Cross” in which we will explore what The Passion of Jesus means for each of us as Christians today because it is through the story of the Cross that Jesus touches us and brings us His salvation.

We hope that this programme will be able to offer ways in which we can all connect with the consoling power of the Passion of Jesus as we journey together in exploration of what St Paul of the Cross describes as both a sea of sorrows and an ocean of love.

Minsteracres’ mission

Minsteracres Retreat Centre provides a space where people feel welcome, can be themselves and are enabled to find healing and wholeness in their relationship with God, with themselves, with others and with creation. During all of our retreats we will be invited to consider new ways of attending to and living out the Gospel. We look forward to  welcoming you!

It costs approximately £1,500 per day to run Minsteracres Retreat Centre. The suggested offerings indicated help us to cover our costs, but no one should feel excluded for financial reasons and concessions are available.

We look forward to welcoming you

The suggested offerings indicated for each event help us to cover our costs. However, no one should feel excluded for financial reasons and concessions are available through our Bursary programme.

Disclaimer: Please note that for each of our retreats to take place we need a minimum number of attendees to make them viable. The running of all retreats is subject to achieving this minimum.  We endeavour to do everything we can that is within our control to ensure that retreats run, but when we are unable to achieve these numbers, we may have to cancel.  We will of course give notice in such circumstances

Calendar for 2024

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive calendar displaying all of our retreats. Each listing is clickable, allowing you to explore detailed information about the retreat you’re interested in. This includes specific features, schedules, and available amenities. Additionally, you can conveniently book your chosen retreat online directly from this calendar. We’ve designed it to be user-friendly and informative, ensuring you have all the necessary details at your fingertips to make an informed decision.

Winter

February 2024

Friday 16th February from 6:30pm to Sunday 18th at 2pm
"The Saving and Transforming Power of the Cross.” A retreat exploring Passionist spirituality. We will begin by ‘Entering the desert’ a gentle introduction to the weekend giving people time to find space and try to leave behind them their cares, worries and problems. This will be followed by sessions on Passionist Spirituality.

Spring

March 2024

Wednesday 6th March 2024 from 10am to 4pm
An opportunity to step aside, listen to God in Scripture and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside.
Friday 8th – Sunday 10th March 2024
A weekend immersed in the beauty and serenity of the music of the monastic office hours. Slip into the rhythm of monastic life and let the music give you time for reflection, meditation and prayer.
Wednesday 13th March 2024 from 10am to 4pm
An opportunity to step aside, listen to God in Scripture and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside.
Thursday 28th March 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 31st at 2pm
Join the resident community on their journey towards Easter, with time for reflection and the opportunity to take part in the Easter Triduum.

April 2024

Wednesday 3rd April from 10am to 5pm
Enjoy a walk of seven to ten miles through the beautiful countryside around Minsteracres, with time for prayer, reflection and sharing the beauty of creation. You will need suitable footwear, warm, weatherproof clothing and a packed lunch.
Saturday 20th April 2024 from 10am to 4pm
This is an inviting programme which explores the beauty of music whilst incorporating responsive movement which echoes both feelings, and mood as non-verbal self-expression which touches both the soul and the imagination. Throughout this retreat you will have an opportunity to learn both...

May 2024

Wednesday, 1st May from 10am to 4pm
An opportunity to join us on this poignant retreat day, for people who have experienced bereavement, grief, loss or significant change, giving them an opportunity to share a safe space, to be heard, to share with others who have had similar experiences and finding courage, hope and consolation.
Saturday 4th May from 10am to 4pm
The Embodied Contemplative Retreat will explore finding inner stillness and peace through the practice of both Christian Meditation and gentle Tai Chi movement and breath work. It is suitable for all ages and abilities. Come with a Beginner's Mind and Enjoy Learning!
Monday 6th May 2024 from 11am to 3pm
Have you ever wanted to have a look around our house and grounds? Now’s your chance! With exhibitions, tours, moments of reflection, tea, coffee and good home cooking.
Friday 10th May 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 12th at 2:00pm
A retreat exploring Passionist spirituality. We will begin by ‘Entering the desert’ a gentle introduction to the weekend giving people time to find space and try to leave behind them their cares, worries and problems. This will be followed by sessions on Passionist Spirituality...
Friday 17th May from 6:30pm to Sunday 19th at 2pm
In this Pentecost retreat we will reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in John’s Gospel and pray for the release of the Spirit in our lives, that we may learn how to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with our God.
Wednesday 22nd May 2024 from 10am to 4pm
An opportunity to step aside, listen to God in scripture and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside. Lunch, tea and coffee are provided.
Saturday 25th May 2024 from 10am to 4pm
Enjoy a walk of seven to ten miles through the beautiful countryside around Minsteracres, with time for prayer, reflection and sharing the beauty of creation. You will need suitable footwear, warm, weatherproof clothing and a packed lunch.

Summer

June 2024

Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 10am to 4pm
An opportunity to step aside, listen to God in scripture and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside. Lunch, tea and coffee are provided.
Monday 10th June 2024 from 6:30pm to Friday 14th at 2:00pm
Spend a week at Minsteracres following in the footsteps of the Northern Saints such as Aidan, Cuthbert, Oswald, Hilde and Bede. Find out about their spirituality and motivation, early Celtic spirituality and visit the iconic places where they lived out their faith.
Wednesday 26th June 2024 from 10am to 4pm
Enjoy a walk of seven to ten miles through the beautiful countryside around Minsteracres, with time for prayer, reflection and sharing the beauty of creation. You will need suitable footwear, warm, weatherproof clothing and a packed lunch.

July 2024

Tuesday 16th July 2024 from 10am to Thursday 18th at 5:00pm
Three days with walks of 8-10 miles through the beautiful countryside around Minsteracres. Every day starts with a reflection. You will need suitable footwear and weatherproof clothing. We offer the option to arrive Monday evening (supper included) and or leave Friday after lunch at £80 per day.
Friday 19th July 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 21st at 2:00pm
St John of the Cross wrote; 'I looked at your Cross, O Christ, and there read the song of your love.' On this retreat we will have the opportunity to explore what it is to be 'fired by loves urgent longings', to go out into the 'Night', to sing Christ’s song of love in the World.

August 2024

Saturday 10th August 2024 from 11:00am to 3:00pm
A wonderful opportunity to gather in honour of Mary, Mother of God in this very prayerful and sociable day, which also provides the opportunity to take in the peace and ambiance of Minsteracres. Please bring a packed lunch. The day will commence with the celebration of the Mass at 12 noon followed by the Rosary rally and Benediction from 2.00pm.
Friday 30th August 2024 from 6:30pm to Friday 6th September at 10:00pm
This retreat is held in silence and will be led by members of the Ignatian Spirituality Centre from Glasgow in collaboration with the team at Minsteracres.

Autumn

September 2024

Friday 13th September 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 15th at 2:00pm
The Embodied Contemplative Retreat will explore finding inner stillness and peace through the practice of both Christian Meditation and gentle Tai Chi movement and breath work. It is suitable for all ages and abilities. Come with a Beginner's Mind and Enjoy Learning!
Friday 13th September 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 15th at 2:00pm
The Embodied Contemplative Retreat will explore finding inner stillness and peace through the practice of both Christian Meditation and gentle Tai Chi movement and breath work. It is suitable for all ages and abilities. Come with a Beginner's Mind and Enjoy Learning!
Saturday 14th September 2024 from 10am to 4pm
Enjoy a walk of seven to ten miles through the beautiful countryside around Minsteracres, with time for prayer, reflection and sharing the beauty of creation. You will need suitable footwear, warm, weatherproof clothing and a packed lunch.
Wednesday 18th September 2024 from 10am to 4pm
An opportunity to step aside, listen to God in scripture and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside. Lunch, tea and coffee are provided.
Saturday 21st September 2024 from 10am to 4pm
This is an inviting programme which explores the beauty of music whilst incorporating responsive movement which echoes both feelings, and mood as non-verbal self-expression which touches both the soul and the imagination. Throughout this retreat you will have an opportunity to learn both...

October 2024

Friday 4th October 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 6th at 2:00pm
A retreat exploring Passionist spirituality. We will begin by ‘Entering the desert’ a gentle introduction to the weekend giving people time to find space and try to leave behind them their cares, worries and problems. This will be followed by sessions on Passionist Spirituality...
Friday 11th October 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 13th at 2:00pm
If we go by the book, transformation is God's business. It has to do with people and politics, religious prejudices and spiritual awakening. And all because God and the faith we share look to the future rather than try to relive the past.
Wednesday 16th October 2024 from 10am to 4pm
Enjoy a walk of seven to ten miles through the beautiful countryside around Minsteracres, with time for prayer, reflection and sharing the beauty of creation. You will need suitable footwear, warm, weatherproof clothing and a packed lunch.
Tuesday, 22nd October from 10am to 4pm
An opportunity to join us on this poignant retreat day, for people who have experienced bereavement, grief, loss or significant change, giving them an opportunity to share a safe space, to be heard, to share with others who have had similar experiences and finding courage, hope and consolation.

November 2024

Wednesday 6th November 2024 from 10am to 4pm
An opportunity to step aside, listen to God in scripture and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the countryside. Lunch, tea and coffee are provided.
Friday 8th November 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 10th at 2:00pm
A retreat exploring Passionist spirituality. We will begin by ‘Entering the desert’ a gentle introduction to the weekend giving people time to find space and try to leave behind them their cares, worries and problems. This will be followed by sessions on Passionist Spirituality...
Friday 29th November 2024 from 6:30pm to Sunday 1st December at 2:00pm
Our Advent Retreat, will help us discern the idea of waiting on the Lord. As we begin to prepare for the feast of Christmas, we challenge ourselves to use this time to reflect on our spiritual readiness for the gift of Christmas.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to go on retreat?

Retreat Questions

A retreat is exactly what it sounds like — the chance to step aside from life for a while, to rest and just ‘be’ in a welcoming, peaceful and inspiring place like Minsteracres.

Retreats are for ordinary people at any time in their lives. There are no expectations on anyone going on retreat and you don’t need to be a churchgoer – we welcome people who share our values.

Do you:

  • Wish for some quiet time to reflect on things that matter most to you?
  • Need some time away from work or family?
  • Want to deepen your spiritual life?
  • Want to simply pray?
  • Want to develop a particular interest?      …then a retreat might be just for you.

Retreats offer the opportunity to:

  • Find space
  • Reflect
  • Pray and worship in peaceful and comfortable surroundings

We offer a wide variety of retreats including retreats:

  • For the beginner
  • With a theme such as Holy Week, Pentecost, Advent,
  • Structured with a programme
  • For individuals or groups who wish to deepen their faith
  • Free form where you can do your own thing

Thanks to the presence of the resident community there is always a warm welcome and a real sense of being a guest in their home. The community is the guardian of the Passionist ethos of Minsteracres, which is expressed through a life of prayer, presence and hospitality.

  • We offer a warm welcome to all
  • We have beautiful Grade II buildings set in an 110 acre estate of gardens and woodland
  • We have a wide range of meeting rooms from small (up to 10 people) to large (up to 90 people)
  • We have a library, various prayer spaces and an art room that are available to use
  • We offer overnight accommodation—from simple rooms with shared facilities to a few en suite rooms
  • We provide tasty, home-cooked food and can accommodate special dietary needs with advanced warning
  • We cater for those with disabilities

Yes, we welcome people who wish to spend some time alone.

Yes, we offer the opportunity to talk to someone in complete confidence. We can also provide individually guided retreats where someone is assigned to listen and guide you whilst on retreat.

A retreat varies in length but is usually anything from two to seven days. We also offer one-day retreats such as quiet days and walking retreats throughout the year.

Yes. It costs over £1,000 per day to keep Minsteracres Retreat Centre running.  We do not have another principal source of income and so we charge our visitors a competitive rate to cover our costs (but not to profit) that include:

  • Maintaining the Grade II buildings and 110 acre estate
  • Providing food and accommodation for all our visitors
  • Paying for staff and retreat leaders

If you have any questions please get in touch.