In the Presence of Healing

St Wite's Way Guided Residential Retreat 

Facilitated by Chris and Ginny 

St Wite’s Way - Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and the surrounding area, West Dorset, UK.

Arrival from 2pm 20th May 2025, depart after lunch 22nd May 2025. All meals and accommodation included,  £390 per pilgrim, £660 for couples sharing.

The Shrine of St Wite's, Dorset's patron saint

What previous pilgrims have said about this retreat

'I cannot recommend this retreat enough. A beautiful, transformative experience, in the most incredible setting, with wise and insightful leaders.' Pilgrim 2024

What stands out for me is the sweetness of it all: the simplicity of the place, the structure of the days, the way the sessions where held together. I came away en-couraged. Encouraged! To be me in God’s good ways. ' Pilgrim 2024

More about the Retreat

For centuries the shrine and well of St Wite in Dorset have been a place of healing. Not only the shrine but the landscape itself has an extraordinary vibrant energy with its gentle rolling hills, streams and valleys folding into the sea on the Jurassic coast. It is little wonder that it has been a draw for pilgrims in search of restoration and renewal for over a thousand years.

We are therefore delighted to be able to host a three day retreat there to give a small group of people the opportunity to come together and simply to be in the presence of healing, receiving and contributing together to the subtle process of physical, emotional and spiritual renewal – wherever we are in our own life situations. Not only will we benefit from the dedicated time together on the retreat but we will also explore the nature and mystery of the healing charism – and how we can nurture and sustain its presence in our own lives going forwards.

As well as time and space to be in our own healing, we will introduce practical resources for the ‘inner work’ of opening ourselves to the presence of healing – such as techniques for stilling, meditation, prayer, breath-work, body-work, presencing and grounding. We will also find as we engage together that the group itself becomes a powerful channel for healing to flow naturally between us. 

Who is the retreat for?

The retreat is for anyone who would like to explore the inner process of healing. St Wite’s shrine is a site of Christian pilgrimage so we will be drawing upon the wisdom of Christian spirituality and the wealth of spiritual practice from this and other traditions. It is not a 'religious' retreat and it is open to people of all faiths and none. 

Where we are staying: At beautiful Rushay in Wootton Fitzpaine

We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Rushay and staying in the magnificent Edwardian Arts and Crafts house, with a tennis court and grounds. Accommodation will be allocated on a first come first served basis by the retreat guides. All meals will be provided.

The Outline Programme

Day 1

• Arrive at Rushay for tea and cake and settle into your room from 2pm.

• We gather for our first welcome session at 3pm. Drawing on wisdom from spirituality and psychology and our own inner knowing and experience, we begin with a discussion about the nature of healing, what it really means to be healed and how different healing processes work within and between us.

• Before supper there will then be a time of reflection on where we are in our own healing journeys and the chance to find ways to sense into and express this - in more than just words.

• After supper, we will gather for the close of the day together with some shared reflections, finishing with a candle meditation to ‘melt into the dark’

Day 2

• We begin the day with breakfast followed by a short time of quiet meditation and prayer

• We will then take a short car journey to the Shrine of St Wite to connect with the healing charism and presence there and to hear some of her story. Then we will walk some of St Wite's Way, stopping to on the way to reflect, look and listen to creation and Spirit all around us culminating in some time together at the wellspring of St Wite, again a place renowned for its healing qualities. Packed lunch will either be en route or back at the church.

• After the walk we return to Rushay for a bit of free time before gathering together prior to supper for our third session of the day where we will discuss and explore together insights and aspects of healing that have surfaced during the day.

• After supper,  we regather for storytelling, perhaps in the garden, prompted by the themes of the retreat

Day 3

• The morning of the third day is often the time when the fruits of our time together start to reveal themselves and so we will spend some time this morning simply gathering these and noticing where the invitation is for each of us to live our lives from a different place, a richer source.

• After coffee we will then make our way back to St Wite’s Shrine for some time together there, to be blessed and to consolidate all we have received. We will also think about what kind of practices we may wish to remember from this time together and how to incorporate these in our lives going forwards, so that we wellspring may continue to flow freely within us.

• Packed lunch will be available at the church, after which we depart.

About St Wite

St Wite was a Christian martyr and is the patron saint of Dorset. Known as a healer and wise woman, she walked the Marshwood Vale over a thousand years ago. Very little is known of her history, but her extraordinary tradition has been kept alive through the stories told by locals and pilgrims alike throughout the centuries. 

She is the inspiration for St Wite’s Way.

Advice and recommendations for the retreat

St Wite’s Way is open to everyone, from whatever background. All are welcome.

St Wite’s Way visits sacred sites with a deep history of spiritual pilgrimage and worship, which will be the foundation for our exercises, reflections and discussion. Please engage however you feel comfortable.

West Dorset is stunningly beautiful and the retreat takes place in an area of outstanding natural beauty with designated dark skies. It can be hilly terrain and very dark at night. Good for star gazing but please bring a torch!

Please be aware that walking in some places may be a little challenging. Some of our walking is on country lanes and at a couple of points we cross the A35 at traffic light controlled crossings on foot. Please be aware of traffic and wear suitable clothing so you can be seen. Please come prepared for rain and mud with suitable footwear and waterproof clothing for the countryside. Bring a torch, water bottle and a bag to carry your things, when we are away from the house.

You are encouraged to bring notebooks, drawing, painting or writing equipment, cameras and phones to record the experiences through out the retreat. Please ask permission of those involved if you plan to use the photos or videos for anything other than personal use. Thank you

How to get to Whitchurch Canonicorum and Wootton Fitzpaine

Pilgrims have travelled to the Whitchurch Canonicorum for over 1,000 years, so you will be joining many others who over the centuries will have journeyed to the Shrine. Both villages are deep the rural West Dorset countryside at the heart of Marshwood Vale. Details of how to get to Rushay, will be sent with your confirmed booking. 

Despite the ancient history of pilgrimage, the area is still accessed by narrow country lanes and the best way to get to us is by car. However, there is public transport. The Jurassic Coaster bus goes along the A35 and the closest train station is AXMINISTER, which is on the train line to Clapham Junction, Waterloo and Exeter.  If you plan to come on the pilgrimage by public transport, please email us for advice and help ask@stwitesway we may be able to arrange to lifts from the station.

Your booking

All meals and accommodation are included in the price of £390 per pilgrim or £660 for a couple sharing the same room. 

Please book through the booking button on this page and pay through online banking to confirm your place. Thank you. Your booking includes a non-refundable £60 per person to cover costs. 

If you want to know more about any aspect of the retreat, before you book, please ask@stwitesway.

Cancellations

Should you wish to cancel a refund of £330 per person ie full cost less £60 or £ 600 for a couples booking is only available should you cancel in writing by the 31st MARCH 2025. If you cancel on or after 1st APRIL 2025, unfortunately, there is no refund, unless we can refill your place.