Online & In Situ Christian Retreats led by Donna Worthington

(For Retreats in Ireland 2026, see below, the second part of this information). For bookings, please see the website or contact

Donna Worthington: drworthington@live.co.uk www.christianretreats.live

JANUARY 2026

(IN SITU) THE BOOK OF RUTH RETREAT

Thursday, January 29, 2026, 10am to 4pm at Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning (map)

THE BOOK OF RUTH RETREAT Explore the themes of the book of Ruth with Donna Worthington. Based on an incredibly strong woman, The book of Ruth is a treasure chest of gifts. We will dive into the text, swim deep in its symbolism and approach it creatively and prayerfully. £30 with refreshments and cooked lunch. Please book in advance with Sr. Mary Bernard. hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk

(ONLINE) THE BOOK OF RUTH RETREAT | Based on an incredibly strong woman, the book of Ruth is a treasure chest of gifts. We will dive into the text, swim deep in its symbolism and approach it creatively and prayerfully.

Saturday 31stJanuary 2-5pm

FEBRUARY 2026

(ONLINE) GOING DEEPER WITH JOHN OF THE CROSS | In the 16th C emerged a Christian thinker who went through tremendous suffering, loved every iota of life and was one of the greatest pioneers of the Christian spiritual journey the world has ever seen. You will enter into his life through a creative presentation, then journey into his 'seeing' with attentiveness to John’s unique drawing of the Cross. There will also be space to offer the dark caverns of self, our wounds, to the gentle space of Jesus’ healing living flame. And honouring John's love of Scripture, we will pray with John 14:23, a text that offers tremendous hope for a human life lived to the full.

Wednesday 25th February 7-9.30pm

APRIL 2026

(ONLINE) ‘THE LIVING FLAME OF LOVE’ BY JOHN OF THE CROSS | This text can only be described as ’mind-blowing’, as it is a startling witness to the immense spiritual depth that can be experienced in a human life. John of the Cross wonderfully writes down his experiences in this beautiful work, the words expressing lived glimpses of eternity. It is a celebration of the presence of the divine in human existence and is utterly joyful. This text, not to be missed, will be explored on the retreat, for example, the compelling, dynamic image of the ‘flame’, John’s articulation of life experienced in all its fullness etc etc.

Sunday 12th April 2.30-5pm

(IN SITU) MEMORY RETREAT

Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 10am - to 4pm at Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning (map)

Memory is a hugely significant part of who we are and also our Christian narrative. We will reflect on how Jesus approached memory by exploring key Gospel texts. Ignatius and Augustine will be our guides into a deeper understanding of memory, in terms of spiritually remembering who we are as children of God with inviolable dignity. There will be space to privately bring difficult memories to prayer for healing. And we will have fun with exercises to consider how we remember.

Cost = £35, includes cooked lunch and refreshments. Please book in advance with Sr. Mary Bernard. hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk

MAY 2026

(ONLINE) BE STILL & KNOW THAT I AM GOD | Sometimes we are invited to move into this quiet prayer and just ‘be’. Holding this peaceful retreat, will be space to simply rest in God. Alongside this, respecting the Christian call for radical self-awareness, we will focus on ‘Give careful thought to all your ways’ (Haggai 1:7); in the stillness, we’ll seek to really try and ‘see’ personal, negative ways that require transformation. Inspirational art (a sculpture, a painting and modern images of the stations of the cross) will be a key focus of reflection on the gentle, patient, healing Christ who knows our difficult ways and offers us His Way of freedom, resurrection and light. Tuesday 5th May 11am – 1pm

(IN SITU) LIVING PRAYER RETREAT

Saturday, May 30, 2026, 10am - to 4pm at Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning (map)

LIVING PRAYER | A journey down the rabbit hole with Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) and his challenging book 'Living Prayer'. The journey of prayer is a road to self-awareness, a getting real, an enabling of the grace of transformation to happen. Anthony Bloom is a guide with fire in his eyes... let's journey with him... You do not need to have read the author before in order to attend the day.

Cost = £35, includes cooked lunch and refreshments.

To book, please contact Sr Mary Bernard, the Bookings Secretary at hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk or telephone 01524 732684.

JUNE 2026

(ONLINE) STILLING OF THE STORM | Wednesday 17th June 10am – 1pm

Christians mature in their journeys of faith sometimes speak of the deeply attractive ability to hold a deeper peace, even when going through difficult, anxiety-inducing situations fraught with negative emotions. Mark’s account of The Stilling of the Storm has many strategies that can help us negotiate troubled waters and seek for that deeper peace of Christ. We will dive deep into the text and are help-mates along the way will be a modern psychology strategy, desert and letting go prayer, Golding’s Lord of The Flies and meditation on Christ the unperturbed one, who helps us move towards freedom, calm and deeper self-awareness.

HOLY ISLAND RETREATS (NON-RESIDENTIAL).

Monday 12th to Friday 16th October 2026

A while ago, I toured a theatre production 'Illumination’, as part of the Lindisfarne Gospels Exhibition in Durham. Researching the play was a real adventure. It is a lifetime's journey to come to a deeper knowing of the ancient Celtic Christian faith, and it continues to inspire, fascinate me and deepen my Christian spirituality. Our time in this sacred place will include prayerful and creative retreats, spiritual reflection and exploration of the compelling insights of these Celtic Saints. Retreat sessions include (weather permitting!) entering into the beautiful physical spaces of this island of St Aidan & St Cuthbert, which has been called ‘a thin place’. It is a symbolic landscape and we will reflect on various symbols, as well as being attentive to compelling pieces of art on the island. In the spirit of the monk Eadfrith, creator of the exquisite Lindisfarne Gospels, you'll enter a candlelit 'Scriptorium'; every dot, every stroke will be a prayer… We'll also experience different ways of praying, including guided imaginative prayer, in which you'll be invited to step into your coracle with Christ and journey to the Inner Farne where the hermit St Cuthbert is living an extraordinary human life. There'll be time in nature, silence, discussion, music, art.... We will take time out to soak in and simply ‘be’ in this ancient place of beauty. This is an opportunity to deepen faith and give time to life’s journey. And all sessions are optional, so you can be free to move where the wind of the Holy Spirit blows... The sessions will take place on the island and mainly at the beautiful, spacious St Cuthbert's Centre in the village. These retreats always seem to be graced with insight, enjoyment and spiritual depth. Holy Island is a wonderful place to retreat to! If you're interested in attending, do feel free to contact me, Donna (Retreat Leader).

2026 Retreats in Ireland:

MARCH 2026 Events: (dates not listed, to be confirmed soon, and all bookings should be done through the venue Avila Carmelite Centre Dublin)

-Contemplative Theatre & Candlelit Meditation on John’ Poetry with Spanish Guitar.

-A compelling insight into the relationship of Jesus with his father - John Chapter 17. Creatively praying this Scripture with John of the Cross.

--Journeying with John’s inspirational drawing of the Cross & Cauterising our wounds with Jesus’ healing living flame.

Retreat Day on The Living Flame of Love. Saturday 28th March, 10.30am – 4pm.

Please bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. Coffee from 10am, then start at 10.30am, until 4.30pm.

Venue for all the March events: Avila Carmelite Centre, Bloomfield Avenue, Morehampton Road, Dublin, D04 YF66, Ireland

Tel: +353 (1) 643 0200
Email: info@avilacentre.ie
Twitter: @avilacentre

Free parking

AUGUST 2026

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS | From the tomb and beyond, the road to Resurrection...

If this earth-shattering event recorded in the genius of John's Gospel is true, then it has utterly profound implications. We will dive deep into this narrative which speaks into a compelling hope and a God who cries out for our freedom. Through a short theatre piece, theological and spiritual reflection, prayer, meditation on shimmering soul-questions, we will travel to Bethany ('The house of the afflicted'), encounter the family loved so much by Jesus and create a space to explore our own journeys into freedom.

(Including Mass at 12pm) Led by Donna Worthington.

Saturday 9th August 2026

Please bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. Coffee from 10am, then start at 10.30am, until 4.30pm. Free parking. Cost 25 euros.

Venue: Avila Carmelite Centre, Bloomfield Avenue, Morehampton Road, Dublin
D04 YF66, Ireland

Tel: +353 (1) 643 0200
Email: info@avilacentre.ie
Twitter: @avilacentre

Exploring The Interior Castle: Saint Teresa of Avila was a pioneer of the inner spiritual landscape. The Interior Castle is a treasure chest of guidance, hope and wisdom, a well of insight for the spiritual seeker. Over the course of 1 day and 2 evenings, we’ll explore various aspects of the text in a reflective and prayerful way. This is not comprehensive; this is simply an exploration of just some of the beautiful themes of The Interior Castle. All are very welcome.

Tuesday 11th August 2026, 7-9pm.

Sunday 16th August 2026. (Mass included at 11.30am). Please bring a packed lunch. Coffee at 10am, then starting at 10.30am, until 4.30pm.

Tuesday 18th August 2026, 7-9pm.

Total cost 50 euros

Tea and coffee will be provided at all 3 events. Free parking.

Ideally participants will be able to attend all 3 events - the Sunday and the 2 evenings. However, if not, please feel free to book just 1 or 2 of the events. (Costs: Sunday 25 euros / each of the evenings 12.50 euros.)

Venue: Avila Carmelite Centre, Bloomfield Avenue, Morehampton Road, Dublin,
D04 YF66, Ireland

Tel: +353 (1) 643 0200
Email: info@avilacentre.ie
Twitter: @avilacentre

The Woman at the Well - an invitation to journey to the well, to Christ the Living Water.

Saturday 15th August 2026

At Jacob’s well, Jesus broke strict rules of his time in order to reach a woman who was struggling with past relationships, exclusion and isolation; he listened to her in a non-judgmental way, saw her huge potential and she was transformed, finding her own confidence and her own voice.

We will explore this intriguing Gospel passage, which helps to illuminate our inner soul journeys and offers an invitation to walk to the ‘well’, to Christ the One who restores us. The day will include a short theatre piece, presentation, discussion, imaginative guided prayer etc.

Venue: The Dominican retreat Centre, Tallaght village, Dublin 24
Email: retreats@domrc.ie
(01) 404 8123 / 404 8189

+353 (1)40481234048189

10am Coffee, then 10.30am-4pm

Cost 65 euros (includes lunch and tea and coffee breaks)

Free parking available.

THE WOMAN WHO ANOINTED JESUS

22-28th August 2026

We will dive deep into this incredible Gospel text including exploring themes such as loss, theft and spiritual reclamation. The retreat will include quiet reflective time, a variety of creative approaches to prayer, and some group discussion.

Ballyvaloo Centre
Blackwater, Enniscorthy
Co.Wexford Y21 X392

For bookings:

Email: office@ballyvaloo.ie
Telephone: 053 913 7160