Bethany Retreat House

These words of Jesus are an invitation to spend time with Him, both in quiet personal prayer and in company with others. Knowing exactly what they need, the Lord calls his friends apart to a lovely and peaceful atmosphere of retreat.

In a culture that is fast paced and filled with pressures of many kinds, it is not only important but necessary to be mindful of God’s presence; to take time to listen to Him, talk with Him; to come to know Him and to know ourselves. If we are to grow in our relationship with the Lord, a relationship which He Himself initiates and deeply desires, it is essential that we accept his invitation to “come away.”

In the spirit of St. Dominic, and seeking to promote the Church’s mission of the New Evangelization, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation wish to make available just such a “place apart”, through a retreat facility designed to fill the spiritual needs of those desiring to “come away for awhile” – whether laity, clergy or religious.

The sisters seek to provide an atmosphere conducive to a deepening relationship with God, so that retreatants might be more open to his grace in personal prayer, reception of the sacraments, spiritual conferences and quiet time for rest. Thus refreshed in body and soul, the faithful are better able to become a leaven within their families, in their workplaces, and in the communities where they live.

Construction of Bethany Retreat House was made possible by a gift of Gayle and Tom Benson of New Orleans, LA. The addition of Our Mother of Perpetual of Help Chapel and wing was realized through the major gift of an anonymous donor and contributions of many other generous benefactors. It is located about 40 miles west of Nashville on 112 acres of land in Dickson, Tennessee. The retreat house, completed in three phases, has 36 individual guest rooms, a large beautiful gathering space for reflection, and a new chapel that seats about 120.

Bethany Retreat House, owned and operated by St. Cecilia Congregation, plays an integral role in the community’s apostolate of Christian education and its efforts in the New Evangelization. Bethany provides an atmosphere in which retreatants are able to reflect on their faith, on the presence of God in their personal lives, and on growth in their relationship with the Lord as they seek to live their vocations in the Church. Retreats are scheduled for parents, faculty, and staff of schools where the sisters serve, as well as for other groups sponsored by parishes or Catholic organizations known to the sisters. Additionally, the sisters themselves come to Bethany for ongoing formation retreats and days of renewal.

We are told in the Gospel that the Lord Jesus Himself went apart to Bethany for times of spiritual refreshment and rest. At Bethany Retreat House his friends may do the same, meeting Him there in silence, prayer, reflection, and especially in his sacramental presence.

"Come away by yourselves,” He invites us,“ … and rest a while" (Mark 6:31).

RETREATS FOR WOMEN / MEN August 2025-May 2026
BETHANY RETREAT HOUSE
2002 GARNERS CREEK ROAD
DICKSON, TN. 37055

Below is a list of the Women’s/Men’s Retreats through May 2026. Guests are welcome.

Registration is offered through e-mail sent from Bethany Retreat House.  If you are not already on the e-mail list and wish to be added to it, please send an e-mail request to bethanyretreat@op-tn.org.

The cost for a WEEKEND RETREAT (Friday evening—4:30 p.m.—through Sunday morning—11:30 a.m.): $230/person. (For online registrations an additional $5.00 is charged for electronic transfer and administration fees.)

If an organization is sponsoring a DAY RETREAT at Bethany the cost may vary from $25-$50.  Contact the organization sponsoring the day retreat for specifics.

RETREATS FOR WOMEN/MEN

• October 3-5, 2025,  Women’s Silent Retreat: “Love Them as Lent to You: St. Catherine of Siena’s Letters to Women” 

  Description:  Have you ever received a letter from a saint? Perhaps not knowingly, but many women of St. Catherine’s day received letters from her on how to grow in love and everyday holiness. Join us in this retreat as we listen to her timeless advice to women. 
            This retreat, only for women, is an opportunity for single or married women to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions. Sister Gabriella Yi, O.P. will offer Conferences at this retreat. Space is available for 36 retreatants.   Registration will begin August 1, 2025.

   

  October 10-12, 2025 Women’s Silent Retreat: “Living the Mysteries of Grace”. 
  Description:   Based on the mysteries of the Rosary, retreatants will ponder how to live the virtues of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary in their own lives.
            This retreat, only for women, is an opportunity for single or married women to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions. Sister Mary Madeline Todd, O.P. will offer the conferences.   Space is available for 36 retreatants.   Registration will begin August 1, 2025.

   

  October 17-19, 2025,  Women’s Silent Retreat. This retreat, only for women, is an opportunity for single or married women to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions.  Father Arturo Merriman will be the Retreat Master.  Registration will begin August 1, 2025.

   

  October 31-November 2, 2025, Women’s Silent Retreat: “The Freedom of Forgiveness.”
            Do you find yourself sad or angry, bitter or resentful, for something that someone did to you long ago or in the recent past—or for something they are still doing to you?  Are there actions that should not be forgiven?  What does it mean when we pray: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”?  How is forgiveness and the freedom that comes with it really possible?  Join us on this retreat as we discuss these questions and pray for the grace to forgive so that we can live in the freedom and joy of the children of God.
            This retreat, only for women, is an opportunity for single or married women to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions. Sister Jane Dominic Laurel, O.P. will offer conferences and a Benedictine priest will be chaplain for this retreat.  Space is available for 36 retreatants.   Registration will begin August 1, 2024.

   

   January 30-Febuary 1, 2026,  Women’s Silent Retreat:  “Encountering Christ, Abiding in Love”
  Description:  Reflections rooted in Scripture will be the basis for exploring the gift of divine love that is the truth that sets us free.
            This retreat, only for women, is an opportunity for single or married men to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and confessions.  Sister Mary Madeline will offer the conferences.  Space is available for 36 retreatants.  Registrations will begin December 3, 2025. 

   

  February 13 - 15, 2026,  Men’s Silent Retreat. This retreat, only for men, is an opportunity for single or married men to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and confessions.  Space is available for 36 retreatants.  Retreat Master:  Father Ephrem Reese, O.P.   Registration will begin December 3, 2025.

   

  March 13-15-2026,  Women’s Silent Retreat:  “Love Them as Lent to You: St. Catherine of Siena’s Letters to Women” 
  Description:  Have you ever received a letter from a saint? Perhaps not knowingly, but many women of St. Catherine’s day received letters from her on how to grow in love and everyday holiness. Join us in this retreat as we listen to her timeless advice to women. 
            This retreat, only for women, is an opportunity for single or married women to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions. Sister Gabriella Yi, O.P. will offer Conferences at this retreat.  Registration will begin December 3, 2025.

    

  March 27-29, 2026,  Men’s Silent Retreat. This retreat, only for men, is an opportunity for single or married men to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and confessions.  Space is available for 36 retreatants.  Retreat Master TBD.  Registration will begin December 3, 2025.

   

   April 10-12, 2026,  Men’s Silent Retreat. This retreat, only for men, is an opportunity for single or married men to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and confessions.  Space is available for 36 retreatants.  Retreat Master TBD.  Registration will begin December 3, 2025.

    

  April 17-19, 2026, Women’s Silent Retreat:     “The Freedom of Forgiveness.”
           Do you find yourself sad or angry, bitter or resentful, for something that someone did to you long ago or in the recent past—or for something they are still doing to you?  Are there actions that should not be forgiven?  What does it mean when we pray: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”?  How is forgiveness and the freedom that comes with it really possible?  Join us on this retreat as we discuss these questions and pray for the grace to forgive so that we can live in the freedom and joy of the children of God.
            This retreat, only for women, is an opportunity for single or married women to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions. Sister Jane Dominic Laurel, O.P. will offer conferences and a Benedictine priest will be chaplain for this retreat.  Space is available for 36 retreatants.  Registration will begin December 3, 2025.

   

   April 11-13, 2025 Men’s Silent Retreat.  This retreat, only for men, is an opportunity for single or married men to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and confessions.  Space is available for 36 retreatants.  Retreat Master TBD.  Registration will begin December 3, 2025.

   

  May 1-3, 2026, Women’s Silent Retreat. This retreat, only for women, is an opportunity for single or married women to have a weekend apart for conferences, silent reflection, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and confessions.  Retreat Conference Presenter TBD.   Registration will begin December 3, 2025.

           For more information about Bethany Retreat House or the retreats available for your consideration, contact Sister Christine at bethanyretreat@op-tn.org.