Uncovering Our Resistance to Divine Love

Join Msgr. Don Fischer this fall for a contemplative four-day retreat at The Southwest Sanctuary at The Chi Center, 20 miles south of Santa Fe, New Mexico.

DATES: Thursday, November 6 – Monday, November 10, 2025. Spaces are limited. Register Today!

Why should you attend? A message from Msgr. Don Fischer:

“After 58 years of pondering scripture, celebrating sacraments, and representing an institution filled with wisdom and corruption, I have come to believe the most important truth is found in the mystery of union, communion, and connection. We are here to contemplate our relationship with God, ourselves, and one another. And discover. Nothing else matters as much as this. It's our ultimate. When love is withheld, there is trauma; when it overflows, there is union and peace.

The richest experiences I have had of unity and peace are when I gather friends and strangers to a beautiful, and often an unfamiliar place, with a common purpose and openness to what God longs to accomplish. He is always seeking to teach and open us to what love is, but we’re busy and filled with so many distractions. And then there’s our fear, our shame, and our anger. If we let go of all that, we can turn our attention to the need God has to use us to reveal who he is. We are called to allow his love to flow through each of our loving acts. We need to be like Jesus, a human being so filled with God that his very presence proclaimed God’s love, God’s healing power. My goal and intention for our retreat is to experience God’s loving presence flowing between us.

Many of you know that I have come close to death twice in these past six months. Through these encounters, I have come to believe—deeply and without doubt—that God has kept me here for a purpose. That purpose, I sense, is to continue sharing the quiet but powerful mystery of the Holy Spirit, alive and at work in our hearts. This Spirit is not distant or abstract; it is the very presence of God, gently forming within us a new heaven and a new earth. As our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, beautifully describes it—a world shaped by unity, tenderness, and peace.

During this retreat, I will be joined by Kyle Cross, Creative Director of the Pastoral Reflections Institute. We will offer two daily sessions on three essential questions of the spiritual life: Who is God? Who are we? And what is our purpose here?

Dr. Robert Sardello, my dear friend and longtime mentor, will also join us on this retreat. He will offer daily sessions on the practice of Heart Work—guiding us through ceremonies that draw us into the sacred mystery of the place where God dwells within. Dr. Sardello is the director of the School of Spiritual Psychology in Santa Fe and the author of several profound works, including his latest book, The Era of the Heart.

And Priscilla Coblentz—whom many of you will remember from our retreats in Italy—will once again bless us with the healing gift of her voice. She will also share her insights into the practice of harmonic alignment.

And together with your openness, your insight, and your questions, I believe we can form an experience that can only be God’s Kingdom.”

    • Breakfast

    • Yoga

    • Dr. Sardello’s Meditation

    • Msgr. Don and Kyle’s teachings

    • Lunch

    • Msgr. Don and Kyle’s teachings

    • Harmonic Alignment with Priscilla Coblentz

    • Dinner

    • Sharing and questions around the campfire

  • The Southwest Sanctuary at The Chi Center, 40 Camino Vista Clara, Galisteo, NM 87540

  • MEALS: All meals during the retreat will be provided onsite, thoughtfully prepared to nourish both body and spirit. The menu will feature healthy, delicious offerings made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. We are happy to accommodate special dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other restrictions—simply let us know when you register. Shared meals are a meaningful part of the retreat experience, offering time for quiet connection and reflection in a warm, welcoming environment.

    ACCOMMODATIONS: Lodging is available across five distinct buildings, each offering its own charm and atmosphere. The Pueblo House features 10 premium double-occupancy rooms, each with a private ensuite bathroom—ideal for those seeking both comfort and privacy. The other four buildings offer a variety of single and double rooms with shared bathroom facilities, creating a peaceful and welcoming environment for all guests. Every space is thoughtfully designed to support rest, reflection, and renewal throughout your retreat experience. Visit the website for more information.

  • All packages include four nights of accommodations, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and the full retreat program. The retreat begins on Thursday afternoon, November 6, and concludes midday on Monday, November 10.

    • Pueblo House Suite – $3,500 per person*
         Premium suite with ensuite bathroom (double occupancy required)

    • King or Two Twins– $2,700 per person*
         King bed or two twin beds (double occupancy required) with shared bathroom

    • Single Room – $2,900 per person*
         Twin bed with shared bathroom

    A 50% deposit is due at registration, and the balance is due by August 31, 2025.

  • The retreat fee does not include transportation to The Chi Center. However, PRI will offer an optional shuttle service from the Albuquerque and Santa Fe airports for an additional fee. Details regarding shuttle times and pricing will be provided soon.

*A portion of the cost supports the ministry of Pastoral Reflections Institute and is tax-deductible