There is no doubt about how good a retreat can be for any of us, and this one can be done on your own time and tailored to your own needs. At the start of 2025, I planned my retreat for the sake of starting afresh. As G.K. Chesterton said, “The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”

In search of a new soul, I booked a tiny home so I could unplug and reset. The closest gas station closed at 3 pm, as did the grocery store, and there was no Wi-Fi. When I felt the temptation to seek entertainment or distractions, there was no option to give in! I certainly “retreated.”

For thousands of years, Lent has offered Christians a season of penance, preparation, and renewal, inviting us to step away from the noise of daily life and restore our relationships with God, ourselves, and others.

The Catholic convert and literary genius Sigrid Undset wrote, “To love, you must know, and to know God, you must seek Him.” A retreat, even a simple, self-guided one, can create that space for seeking. Whether you carve out a day, a weekend, or longer, time set apart to pray, reflect, and unplug can reorient your heart and refresh your spirit. Edith Stein reminds us that “the world doesn’t need what you have, but who you are,” and a Lenten retreat helps us rediscover who we are in God’s eyes.

In this guide, you’ll find simple steps to design a retreat suited to your needs, helping you enter more deeply into the grace of the season and the joy of Easter ahead.

Step 1: Preparing for your retreat

Before you plan your retreat, take some time to reflect on your purpose. What do you hope to gain spiritually? Are there particular struggles or questions you wish to address in your relationship with God? Whether you want to unplug from online dopamine hits, grow in prayer, deepen your understanding of Scripture, or practice silence and solitude, having a clear intention will guide you in shaping your retreat.

Choosing the right time

The first step in retreat planning is choosing when and for how long to retreat. Some may only have time for a day-long getaway or a long weekend. If your schedule allows, you could consider going on a longer, week-long retreat over Holy Week.

It’s important to select a time when you can fully commit to your retreat and avoid interruptions. If you can take a day off of work or arrange for childcare, try to find a time when you can be completely present to the moment.

Choosing a location

We are physical and spiritual creatures! Where we are physically has a great impact on our mental and spiritual well-being. Many people choose to go to a retreat center, a monastery, or a quiet cabin in the countryside. A change of scenery is crucial for your own unplugged experience.

Here are a few location options to consider:

• Retreat center or monastery: If you prefer to be away from home, retreat centers and monasteries are designed specifically for spiritual renewal. They often offer quiet spaces, spiritual direction, and often daily Mass or prayer services. Consider finding one in your area, or even a place with a specific Catholic tradition that resonates with your spiritual goals. Some shrines have retreat centers attached to them. Many of these centers offer their own Lenten retreats, but often also have the option of personal retreats. 

Check out this list of seven monastic guest houses in the United States.

• Tiny Homes: Staying at a tiny home has been a dream of mine for a while, and I recently got to check that box from the bucket list when I stayed at one of the Postcard Cabins in the Midwest. With tiny homes in 29 locations across the United States, they provide simple but practical stays in beautiful locations. The tiny homes sit in groups, but each building faces out so that once you settle in, all you see from the cabin window is nature, serenity, and seclusion.

You can also look around Airbnb and Vrbo, as they offer unique tiny home options, glamping alternatives, and other unique and interesting housing options. 

• Hotels: If you prefer to stay in a big city, look into hotels. Many hotels have lower rates during the winter months, so booking a two-day stay can be more affordable than usual. Look for a hotel near a church where you can attend daily Mass (or worship in your own tradition). Hotels also tend to have amenities that can be integrated into your retreat such as a gym or a pool.

Step 2: Setting goals

A personal retreat is most effective when you set clear spiritual and personal goals. During Lent, these goals should align with the three main practices of the season: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Consider how each of these could be part of your retreat:

1. Prayer: The foundation of any Lenten retreat is prayer. Reflect on your current prayer life — are there areas where you would like to grow? Do you wish to deepen your meditation, learn new forms of prayer, or reconnect with the daily rhythm of the liturgical calendar? You can also consider prayer formulas such as the Ignatian Examen to add structure to your prayer life while on retreat.
2. Fasting: Lent traditionally includes fasting, and you can incorporate this practice into your retreat in a variety of ways. In addition to dietary fasting, consider fasting from social media, excessive reading or entertainment, or distractions that pull you away from God. This is what retreats are meant for, so take this time for unplugging seriously.
3. Almsgiving: While this practice often focuses on charity, during a personal retreat, almsgiving can take on an internal form, focusing on giving up self-centered tendencies or inviting God’s grace to purify your soul. While the retreat itself is meant to be time for yourself, consider how you are giving to others in your state in life. Retreats are also an excellent time to absorb yourself in intercession for your family, friends, and the world – so bring your intentions along!

Think of your retreat as a time to spiritually focus on these three elements, while also seeking personal growth and healing. For example, if you’ve been struggling with forgiveness, you might dedicate your retreat to focusing on prayer for that specific intention. Or if you’ve been feeling disconnected from the Church, a retreat could give you space to reflect on how to re-engage in the community.

Step 3: Designing your schedule

It is tempting to stay in bed and not accomplish much when we suddenly have so much alone time, so prepare to plan a schedule and stick to it. Creating a schedule for your retreat is an important part of preparation. It allows you to balance structured prayer time with quiet moments for reflection, rest, and personal growth. Here’s an example of a daily schedule you can adapt to your needs:

Sample Lenten Retreat Schedule

• 8:00 AM – Morning Prayer: Begin your retreat with a short time of prayer, such as the Liturgy of the Hours or Mass, offering the day to God.
• 8:30 AM – Breakfast 
• 9:00 AM – First Block: Set aside an hour to read and meditate on a passage of Scripture. Consider the themes of repentance, grace, or the life of Jesus during His journey to the Cross. Consider spending an hour or more in complete silence, journaling your thoughts, reflecting on the Scripture passage, and inviting God to speak to your heart.

These blocks are not meant to be “busy time,” but structured to clear and focus your mind and soul. 

• 12:30 PM – Lunch
• 1:00 PM – Second Block: Spend time walking in nature, meditating, or doing a guided prayer exercise like the Examen. Too much time inside can drive anyone crazy, so try to get some fresh air and exercise weather permitting. 
• 6:00 PM – Dinner: 
• 7:00 PM – Night Prayer and Silence: Read a Catholic spiritual book, saint’s biography, or devotional that resonates with your retreat theme and the day with a brief prayer of thanksgiving, and allow yourself to sit in silence or contemplation.

Consider journaling or writing a letter to a spiritual director or friend sharing your thoughts from your day of quiet.

Step 4: Activities to enhance your retreat

To make your retreat more meaningful, consider incorporating the following activities into your schedule:

1. Lectio Divina: A slow, contemplative reading of Scripture, where you reflect on a verse or passage and listen for God’s message for you. Dan Burke offers an excellent step-by-step guide!
2. The Stations of the Cross: If you’re at a retreat center or church, walk through the Stations of the Cross, reflecting on Christ’s passion and the meaning it holds for you.
3. Fasting from technology: Unplug from your phone, social media, and any devices that might distract you, allowing more time for prayer and reflection.
4. Art and prayer: Spend time creating something artistic as a form of prayer — whether it’s drawing, journaling, writing letters, or any other craft that can relate to your Lenten journey.

A personal retreat can feel like a luxury, but it’s really a vital investment in our relationship with God. While it helps to have a plan, be open to surprises and the organic process that unfolds. As St. Francis de Sales advised, “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.” You may leave feeling reenergized, or simply with a notebook of scattered thoughts and frustrations — both are valuable. As you pray, reflect, and fast, trust that this time of rest and self-discovery will bear fruit in God’s time. Embrace it with hope and gratitude.