Spring Awakening: A Celtic Journey of Renewal & Connection – Hybrid
With Christine Valters Paintner and Simon de Voil
April 30 - May 2, 2027
As the sap rises and the daylight lengthens, the fields and forest reawaken into the new life of spring. Rooted in pre-Christian Celtic traditions, the festival of Beltane celebrates this blossoming into the bright half of the year.
In this weekend retreat, we’ll explore ways to deepen our connection with the sacred through the green, living world with some of the vibrant traditions of Beltane, and guided by the wisdom of medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen’s understanding of viriditas, the greening power of the divine. We will tend to what is being awakened within our hearts and in the world.
Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil (joining us in person) will use song and story rooted in the Celtic Christian wisdom tradition, along with contemplative and creative practices, to help us awaken and bring our attention to the rising green of the land and of our own spirit. Christine Valters Paintner (joining us virtually) will bring us into the greening vision of St. Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th-century Benedictine Abbess who saw viriditas, or the greening power of God flowing through every living and celestial being.
There are two options for this program. The schedules for each are as follows:
IN-PERSON SCHEDULE
Friday
3:00p – Check-In Begins
3:00-6:00p – Arrivals
5:00p – Birdsong Vespers with Simon
6:00p – Dinner
7:00p – Session I: Welcome
Saturday
8:00a – Breakfast
9:00a – Session II with Christine & Simon
10:30a – Break
10:45a – Session III with Christine & Simon
12:00p – Lunch
2:30p – Optional Creative Activity
5:00p – Birdsong Vespers with Simon
6:00p – Dinner
7:00p – Fireside Chat with Simon
Sunday
8:00a – Breakfast
9:00a – Room Check-Out
9:30a – Closing Session with Christine & Simon
10:30a – Closing Birdsong Prayer with Simon
11:00a – Departure
VIRTUAL ONLINE SCHEDULE
Friday
7:00p – Session I: Welcome
*Friday Birdsong Vespers link emailed to participants to watch at their leisure
Saturday
9:00a – Session II with Christine & Simon
10:45a – Session III with Christine & Simon
*Saturday Birdsong Vespers link emailed to participants to watch at their leisure
Sunday
9:30a – Closing Session with Christine & Simon
*Sunday Birdsong Prayer link emailed to participants to watch at their leisure
Leaders
Christine Valters Paintner is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and Benedictine oblate who weaves together contemplative practice, creativity, and Celtic wisdom. Founder of Abbey of the Arts, she is internationally known for guiding others into deeper spiritual living through prayer, pilgrimage, the expressive arts, and the wisdom of the…
Learn more about Christine Valters Paintner
Rev. Simon Ruth de Voil is an ordained interfaith/interspiritual minister, trained to be a sacred presence outside the conventions of traditional religion. As a sacred musician, spiritual mentor and worship leader he incorporates chant, ritual, storytelling and mindful practice to create a space for profound connection and sacred witness. Simon…
Learn more about Simon de Voil