Silent retreats at the monastery
Entering the silence and making space for yourself and what is moving within you. A silence retreat at Klooster Westerhûs offers you a warm and safe bed for this adventure.
The beautiful, hushed building of Monastery Westerhûs, the rhythm of daily celebrations and the meadowland all around form the welcoming home of the silent retreat.
After the introduction and introduction on Monday evening, we go into silence. In the silence you have all the time and space for yourself. You seek your own way in it, in the midst of the others. This is a beautiful and intensive process in which you are invited to listen to what is stirring in you. Thus silence brings you closer to what is essential to you, closer to the source. You may also encounter unrest or sadness. These too are allowed to be there in the silence.
Each day we meet as a group for a meditative activity and you are given suggestions to become more and more at home in silence. Each day there is also an opportunity for a short personal conversation with your facilitator. On the last day of the retreat, we break the silence and close together.
The silent retreats last from Monday afternoon 3:30 p.m. to Friday afternoon 1 p.m. For the first time in the Advent season of 2026, there will also be a longer silence retreat, from Monday afternoon to Sunday 1 p.m.
Retreat in Brief:
- Experiencing what a few days of silence brings you
- Living along to the rhythm of the monastery
- Personal guidance
- A comfortable private room where you can stay quietly
- Beautiful location in the Frisian countryside
Practical information
Stilteretraites dates:
- February 23–27, 2026 (first week of Lent)
Facilitators: Corrie Bark-Bakker and Saskia Leene. This retreat is accredited by the Foundation for the Quality Register of Spiritual Care Providers (SKGV) for 8 credits.(waiting list open) - June 29 – July 3, 2026
Supervision: Corrie Bark-Bakker and Saskia Leene. This retreat is accredited by: Stichting Kwaliteitsregister Geestelijk Verzorgers (SKGV) for 8 credits. (waiting list open) - November 30 – December 6, 2026 (First Week of Advent)
Facilitators: Tytsje Hibma and Saskia Leene. This retreat is accredited by the Foundation for the Quality Register of Spiritual Care Providers (SKGV) for 10 credits. (Waiting list open)
Spiritual Guidance
The spiritual guidance team consists of Corrie Bark-Bakker, Tytsje Hibma, and Saskia Leene. All three are spiritual advisors and members of the monastic community living outside the monastery. For more information , please contact Saskia Leene at s.leene@nijkleaster.frl
Sign up:
We ask you to fill it out to see if the retreat matches your expectations. Upon receipt of the completed questionnaire, we will contact you and you can proceed with finalizing your reservation.
Information about the rhythm of Klooster Westerhûs can be found in the guest brochure.
Costs of the Silent Retreat 2026:
5-day silent retreat: €525
7-day silent retreat: €725
The Silence Retreats in February, July, and December are fully booked. We are currently maintaining a waiting list. To be added to the waiting list, please send an email to: reservering@nijkleaster.frl
But we still have plenty of alternatives:
- Tasting Silence: More information is available below
- Retreats at Westerhûs Monastery: week-long, midweek, and weekend retreats. See below for more information.
Silent Tasting
Tip: You might enjoy the “Taste of Silence” weekend at Westerhûs Monastery, running from Friday, October 23, to Sunday, October 25.Doyoulongfor peace and quiet, and want to discover what silence has to offer? Then come spend a weekend experiencing silence at Westerhûs Monastery. What does silence have to say to you? Read more and sign up
Retreats at Westerhûs Monastery
Every stay at Westerhûs Monastery has its own rhythm. In addition to themed programs, we offer retreats specially designed for guests seeking more time (peace and quiet) for themselves while living in harmony with the monastery’s rhythm. Information about retreats
Compass Fund
For reimbursement of expenses, please contact our compassion fund http://www.nijkleaster.frl/compassiefonds/
