Presented by Rt. Rev. Br. Mark D’Alessio
In the spirit of St. Francis, who saw all creation as kin and every moment as sacred, this retreat invites us to slow down, listen deeply, and immerse ourselves in the wisdom of the natural world. Rooted in Franciscan mindfulness, we will explore how nature reveals the Divine and calls us into presence, compassion, and interconnection.
"If you have some in humanity who exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, we will have a humanity who will deal likewise with their fellow creatures…” (St. Francis of Assisi)
Central to our day will be St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures and a 21st-century Cosmic Canticle adaptation by Br. Mark, expanding Francis’ vision to include the unfolding universe and sacredness of all life. Through guided nature bathing (forest therapy), embodied prayer, Eco Divina, sacred listening, and reflection on nature’s wisdom — including insights from The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben and The Overstory by Richard Powers — we will open ourselves to creation as sacred text as a living parable of resilience, beauty, and divine mystery.
This retreat is open to seekers, nature lovers, contemplatives, and any and all who are longing to reconnect with the sacredness of creation. Whether you are grounded in Franciscan spirituality or simply curious, you are welcome. It is especially ideal for those seeking a day of re-centering, mindfulness, and renewal.
Join Br. Mark in person and come slow down, listen, and invite the sacred wisdom of creation to awaken the Canticle within you. Creation is an outpouring of divine love and a wellspring of healing. Join us for a retreat day that offers space to breathe deeply, move gently, pray, sing, reflect, and reconnect with the holy presence alive in the natural world — as St. Francis once did and as the earth invites us to do today.
COST | $75, lunch is included
We’re honored to offer scholarship opportunities to programs and retreats, creating opportunities for everyone. Please call (860) 567-3163 to find out more.
The health and safety of our guests and staff are of paramount importance to us. We follow the COVID-19 guidelines provided by the State of Connecticut and the CDC. If Wisdom House is forced to close to comply with the guidelines issued by the State of Connecticut or the CDC, we will return all funds received to date.
The Rt. Rev. Br. Mark D’Alessio is a Franciscan friar in the new religious society of the Companions of Francis and Clare. He’s also a interspiritual Christian bishop and priest, spiritual director, chaplain, retreat leader, author, and past President and Executive Director of the Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute which draws together the inspiration of the church with the wisdom of psychological care.
As a Franciscan, he’s committed to serving those who are sidelined, most vulnerable and at risk. Last year, the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless awarded him with their “Unsung Hero” Award for his ministry as a crisis counselor and program coordinator at a shelter for men and women who are homeless and as a chaplain at a residential treatment center and school for children with learning and emotional disabilities.
A long-time seeker and practitioner of spiritual wisdom, he’s initiated into multiple spiritual lineages, both East (Buddhist) and West (Christian); does his best to affirm the Christian Wisdom tradition within a wider inter-spiritual framework; and, looks to God’s science and spiritual heroes (such as Thích Nhat Hanh and Francis and Clare of Assisi) as sources of inspiration and hope.
Br. Mark is a graduate of the Guild for Spiritual Guidance, founded by Henri Nouwen and Madeline L’Engle, where he is currently a faculty member and community leader. He's also a faculty member at All Faiths Seminary International for the training of interfaith ministers.