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God in the Cosmos: How Hildegard of Bingen and Teilhard de Chardin Invite Us into the Sacred

  • Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center 229 East Litchfield Road Litchfield, CT, 06759 United States (map)

Presented by Br. Mark D’Alessio

God in the cosmos. God on earth. What would happen if we rose up and shook off the limitations of our circumstances and spoke in the divine cosmic voice that’s been whispering to us for as long as history can remember? What if we allowed ourselves to become still enough to really hear what does it means in our own time to be descended from the stars? What is this secret wisdom? What if we simply gave ourselves permission to listen?

Join us online to explore the lives and spirituality of two extraordinary mystical scientists, Hildegard of Bingen and Teilhard de Chardin, who can help us expand our vision of God with their radical lived experience of Divine Presence in and through creation. Born centuries apart, they were mystics with a cosmic vision as well as scientists who seamlessly wove together their faith with the science of their time, creating powerful visions of the universe. 

One of our most popular retreat leaders, the Rt. Rev. Br. Mark D’Alessio, a Franciscan, will encourage you to find your own story within the divine signs that surround us in our own time — especially in light of new discoveries from contemporary scientists with the Webb telescope. 

Join us for a retreat program with Br. Mark that’s a unique opportunity to contemplate your own spiritual path in companionship with these beloved mystics/spiritual leaders/scientists, who found meaning in what a cosmic spirituality can look like.

Online via Zoom

COST | $50 VIA ZOOM

PLEASE NOTE: You are NOT registered for a ZOOM program until you receive a confirmation email. Call 860.567.3163 with questions.

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.