Franciscan Centre Ladywell

07/05/2026

Nestled within the Surrey Hills National Landscape (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Ladywell is home to the FMDM Sisters. At the Franciscan Centre, we offer a place of quiet prayer and hospitality, where you can encounter with God through creation. As we mark the 800th Anniversary of the Transitus of St Francis of Assisi in 1226, Ladywell becomes a particularly meaningful setting to rediscover the heart of Franciscan spirituality: simplicity, humility, and reverence for all creation. The Franciscan Centre is a peaceful house, dedicated to offering a calm space for reflection. If you would like to book a retreat, join us for one of our Days of Reflection or you just need a Quiet Day in the tranquility of our beautiful 70 acres of grounds, please call us on 01483 675575. We look forward to welcoming you to the Franciscan Centre soon. https://franciscancentre.org.uk/upcoming-events/ Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood Association for Promoting Retreats The Retreat Association

03/04/2026

Good Friday at the Franciscan Centre Ladywell

Today we entered the profound stillness of Good Friday, a day of prayer, reflection, and quiet accompaniment as we remember the Passion of Our Lord.

We began the day with a Time of Prayer and Reflection, creating space to pause and listen more deeply. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, so together we walked the Stations of the Cross in the Main Chapel, allowing the rhythm of the day to remain gentle and contemplative.

This afternoon, we are gathering with the Ladywell Community in the Main Chapel for the Liturgy of the Passion of Our Lord, the heart of Good Friday worship. If you would like to join us, please click on the link https://www.churchservices.tv/ladywell

The day will conclude with a reflective offering on 'The Last Seven Words of Christ', drawing us into the depth of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

🕊️ Come, walk with us, and share in this sacred time.

03/04/2026

Easter Triduum at the Franciscan Centre Ladywell

Yesterday afternoon we were delighted to welcome our guests to the Franciscan Centre as we began our Easter Triduum journey together. The atmosphere was one of joy, anticipation, and heartfelt hospitality as people arrived to share in these most sacred days.

Our celebration continued with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, prayerfully shared with the Ladywell Community, a truly special moment of unity and service. Following Mass, guests were warmly invited to remain and spend time in adoration at the Altar of Repose, keeping watch with Christ in a deeply prayerful and moving experience.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the beginning of the Triduum so meaningful.

You are warmly invited to continue this sacred journey with us over the coming days as we walk together through the heart of Holy Week.

06/03/2026

🌿 Our Retreat Begins This Evening! 🌿
We’re delighted to welcome our guests to the Franciscan Centre Ladywell as we begin our retreat, “A Way in the Wilderness”, led by Christopher Chapman.

This special time of reflection opens this evening and gently concludes with Night Prayer.

✨ Tomorrow’s Programme
We’ll resume at 9:30am with two enriching sessions designed to guide, inspire, and deepen our spiritual journey together.
🌤️ A Prayer for Sunshine
As we gather in this beautiful place, we’re praying for a touch of sunshine so our retreatants can fully enjoy the peace and beauty of our gardens and Canticle Corner here at Ladywell. Nature has a way of speaking to the heart, especially when the weather joins in!

Please keep everyone in your prayers as we enter this sacred time of stillness, exploration, and grace.

Blessings to all joining us on retreat and those supporting us from near and far. 💛

01/03/2026

Our community has been blessed to share a deeply meaningful Lenten Retreat; a time of prayer, quiet, and grace.

Yesterday afternoon, we entered into our reflection “You Are Dust”, a gentle reminder of our humility, our beginnings, and our calling to walk each day with intention and gratitude. It was a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the God who shapes our lives with love.

After supper, we gathered again for an evening Reflection and Prayer on the Crucifixion. In the stillness of the night, we held the depth of Christ’s sacrifice, allowing His love to speak into our own struggles, hopes, and journeys.
A powerful moment of surrender and trust.

Today we began our final day together with Morning Prayer, grounding ourselves once more in God’s presence. Afterwards, we joined the Ladywell Community for Mass in the Main Chapel, a beautiful celebration that uplifted our hearts and united us in worship.

The retreat then drew to a gentle close with our final reflection on the Resurrection; a message of hope, promise, and renewed life.
With our concluding prayer, we left carrying peace, gratitude, and the quiet joy of God’s companionship.

🌿 Gratitude & What’s Next
Everyone has truly enjoyed this time of rest, reflection, and spiritual nourishment. We leave refreshed, renewed, and ready to journey through the rest of Lent with open hearts.

We now look forward with anticipation to our Easter Triduum Retreat on 02 April; a sacred time to walk with Christ through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

May the days ahead continue to draw us deeper into God’s love.

There are many types of retreats at The Franciscan centre, Ladywell. Shorter retreats and longer retreats available.

28/02/2026

Yesterday evening, our guests arrived and gathered to begin our Lenten Retreat, a sacred weekend of reflection and renewal. We opened with a moving Reflection on the Last Supper, discussing three different artists’ interpretations of this event. It was wonderful to hear and feel the buzz in the room whilst everyone offered their thoughts to one another.

This morning, we continued our journey with Father Michael’s Reflection: In the Garden, a powerful reminder of Jesus’ humanity. We took a few moments to walk through the tranquil gardens here at Ladywell, taking in the sunshine that has made an appearance, and seeing the arrival of the Spring flowers, which includes the Magnolias on Mother Francis Spring's tree. Canticle Corner's waterfall and wind chime, both creating a wonderful place to stop and breathe.

As the retreat unfolds, we invite you to pause, breathe, and walk with us through these profound moments of Christ’s Passion. Whether you are joining us in person or would like to follow along from home, may this retreat open your heart, deepen your faith, and bring you closer to God this Lenten season.
🙏 May this be a weekend of grace, stillness, and spiritual renewal.
To see our forthcoming events, please follow the link.... https://franciscancentre.org.uk/retreats/

25/01/2026

🙏🏻❤️

13/01/2026

It is with great joy, faith and hope that we announce that Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death.
During this time of grace, which will extend until 10th January 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence.
This Franciscan Jubilee Year, considered a gift for the entire Church and an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal, was inaugurated on Jan. 10 with a decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See.
Until Jan. 10 of next year, the faithful can obtain this grace under the usual conditions — sacramental confession, Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope — by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world.
Furthermore, the elderly, the sick, and those who, for serious reasons, cannot leave their homes can obtain the plenary indulgence by spiritually joining in the jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, pains, or sufferings to God.
In a world where “the virtual takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life, and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day, this Year of St. Francis spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ,” the decree states.
The Pope highlighted that St. Francis reminds us that “peace with God, peace among people, and peace with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.”

14/10/2025

Last few remaining places on our Advent Retreat. Come along to prepare for Christmas in a beautiful setting. All welcome 🙏🏻

14/10/2025

Our Individually Guided Retreats for 2026 are now open for bookings. Spend time in silence and reflection, enjoy the beauty of our grounds and beautiful prayer spaces, meet with a Spiritual Director each day and listen to Gods heart between within your soul. All welcome!