EVENT POSTPONED

‘Beautiful Words’

This overnight residential retreat takes place in the peaceful surroundings of the Youth Village at Knock Shrine on January 24th and 25th 2026

‘Nothing empowers us as much as words can. Words transform us. Beautiful words redeem our spirit. They find their way into places of hurt within us and heal them. They slip past the sentries of the mind. They are kisses of the soul. They enter our bodies like Holy Communion. And they do their fertile work. They may bring Christ’s redeeming presence into our soul. We live our days differently when we carry living words inside us. But. like all manifestations of The Word, they conceal as well as reveal.’
– Daniel O’Leary, Treasured and Transformed

‘More and more humanity will discover that we have to turn to poetry to interpret life for us, to console us, to sustain us … most of what now passes for religion will be replaced by poetry’
– Matthew Arnold

In Beautiful Words, John and Mary create a gentle, contemplative space where poetry, scripture, silence, and embodied prayer meet. Across these two days, participants are invited to listen deeply: to the whispers of the heart, to the wisdom of sacred texts, to the beauty of language, and to the quiet movements of the Spirit. Through shared reflection, meditation, and simple practices of presence, the retreat offers a way to encounter Christ’s transforming love and to let “beautiful words” take root within us. It is an invitation to pause, to be nourished, and to awaken again to the sacredness of our own lives.

Mary Farrelly is an experienced teacher of gentle movement and meditation, with many years of guiding people into prayer through the whole body. Drawing on practices such as mindful stretching, breath awareness, and simple, prayerful gestures, she helps participants become more attentive to God’s presence in every breath and movement. 

John Farrelly is Prayer Guidance Coordinator at Knock Shrine, where he also leads the Spiritual Direction Ministry. He writes The Weekly Witness, a contemplative reflection rooted in scripture and silence. A husband, father, and grandfather, he also works as a Special Needs Assistant in a primary school.

Retreat cost: €200 includes overnight accommodation in Knock Youth Village, with single occupancy in one of the state of the art en-suite cabins on a full board basis. Self service light breakfast and evening meal in Knock Youth Village, 2  course lunch on Saturday and Sunday in St. Mary’s guesthouse.

For more information, contact:

John Farrelly

Prayer Guides Coordinator at Knock Shrine

Telephone 086 0108623 or email prayerguidance@knockshrine.ie