In a world in which, at times, we might feel as though we have lost our way, you will find a space for redirection — soul-deep rejuvenation — at the Benedictine Center in St. Paul’s Monastery in St. Paul, Minnesota.
It is at this retreat center that Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Delmarie Gibney guides spiritual experiences created for women seeking restoration of mind, body and soul — a recentering of self on the map by which we navigate this world, make our way in it.
Sister Delmarie has ministered to many seeking integration of their whole being throughout her life as a woman religious. She served as a nurse in Idaho, Wisconsin and El Salvador; as an instructor of midwifery in Guatemala; and, as a director of Global Education Associates, an organization founded to educate Global Citizenship and Care of the Earth, our temporary home. Sister Delmarie’s path led her to St. Paul where she served as the director of the Franciscan Center for Wholistic Living/WomanWell and now provides spiritual direction — days of reflection at the Benedictine Center — and facilitates virtual programs every month as well.
“Del is our facilitator and she is an amazing sage with unbelievable energy,” shares Sharon Lewandowski, who coordinates Day of Reflection retreats. She does so with her own experience with Sister Delmarie from attending Day of Reflection retreats many years ago at WomanWell. When its doors closed, Sharon and other attendees declared, “We have to keep this going.” She shared this sentiment with Sister Delmarie who said, “If you find a place and organize the day, I will come and facilitate.”
Her words were a relief to Sharon and all spiritual seekers: Those who sought solace at WomanWell and now, the Benedictine Center. “We all absolutely treasure her presence in every way.”
The experience of this full-day retreat is truly spiritually and sensorially inclusive. Group sessions are intermixed with offerings of one-on-one spiritual direction with Sister Delmarie. A reflexologist offers therapy. For immersive self-reflection, private bedrooms are also available. Attendance typically ranges from five to 14 participants, making the time and the space feel personal, intimate.
“We all eat lunch together in the dining room where the Benedictine Sisters [who live and work at the center] dine,” says Sharon. “The grounds are beautiful with paved walking paths. There is almost always a juried art collection on display. So many beautiful pieces of art throughout the center.”
The energy shared around the circle of women who come for the day of reflection experiences is generated by awakening consciousness. “The more in touch we are with our ‘Center,’ the greater our influence in the world,” says Sister Delmarie. “We become the change we want to see.
“The challenge is to learn to move out of our heads and into the heart space where our new answers will arise. Many of our current problems have been created by our conceptual minds. The new consciousness will manifest more from our hearts than our intellect.”
While we are “meant to be our unique selves,” asserts Sister Delmarie, as she looks into the eyes of each person in the circle, “we contribute to the whole … because we are connected.
“We are meant to be our unique selves though connected to everything else. The Divine wants to work through us.
“We are the Earth evolving.”
Sharon, along with two other attendees who recently experienced a Day of Reflection retreat, share their experiences with us.
Sharon Lewandowski
Linda Lendeke (pictured right)
Pauline Eck
Sharon Lewandowski
Seekers who join Day of Reflection retreats come with a “deep need to drink from the spiritual well this day provides. The ladies always comment to me about how much they need this day and how relevant Del’s words are: The subject, the feedback from the circle — their yearning for spiritual connection. Many retreatants share that ‘just knowing [a Day of Reflection] is on my calendar gives me peace to make it through some tough days,” and ‘even when I cannot attend, I think of the circle and can take in the energy and peace that I know is taking place on that day.” Another piece of the day that has great meaning for me is that we are a circle. Del always closes the day with us holding hands to connect the circle and we say, ‘The circle is open … never broken. So be it.’”
Linda Lindeke
Being in a room with Delmarie Gibney puts my mind, body and spirit into a different realm. I have attended bimonthly retreat days led by Del for more than five years, and each retreat day is a ‘spiritual tune-up.’
A day led by Del goes by very quickly. I ponder her wisdom and reflect on the resources that she brings. She offers a wise, listening ear in individual sessions that I have found very helpful for clarifying issues I’ve saved to discuss with her. Delmarie has enlightened me and is skilled at bringing a group into new ways of thinking about life, faith and relationships.
Pauline Eck
“I am a three-year, relatively newcomer to these Reflection Days. My friend Rosanne invited me, and I’ve never looked back. Sister Del does a magnificent job of setting the tone for the day with her prayerfulness and words of wisdom — lots to think about. She is available for any of us if we choose to meet up with her. What a kind, powerhouse she is. We are on our own to go where it best suits us to ponder, pray, walk, rest and/or write.
“Should we choose, we can schedule a reflexology time with a dynamite woman who sets the tone, helps us relax and teaches us so much about ourselves. We meet up for lunch with each other … this speaks volumes that so many are come-backers!!! A powerful group of girls.
“Prayer and peacefulness ends the day. Such a joy.”