The Vision of Peace Hermitages in Pevely, Missouri is a small retreat center located on the Mississippi river just south of Saint Louis. They offer individual retreat “houses” that are built into the earth sort of like little hobbit houses which allow the retreatant a place for solitude, prayer and thoughtful reflection.
All photos from the Vision of Peace Hermitages website.
Overview
I stumbled upon Vision of Peace (VoP) a few years ago through a conversation with someone who happened to have a family member who directed it. Even though I routinely sought out Catholic retreat centers, I somehow hadn’t heard of it until then.
I couldn’t make it there for a year or two afterwards due to some family items.
First visit
I finally made it in the Spring of 2020 and stayed in the Emmaus house which overlooks the river. As I recall, I booked a week and brought my own food, books, etc., and whatever else I thought would keep me occupied.
It was a good visit but my mom was having some health issues then which had me in two places, so to speak. Likewise, Covid was in full swing so that put a base layer of funk on everything too.
I ended up cutting that retreat short and had hopes to come back later which I did.
Second visit
I made it there again in Spring of 2021. I ended up in Emmaus again by happenstance.
Although my mom had passed away a little earlier, I found myself in a better place that time and was more focused.
I spent the days reading the bible, praying the rosary, walking the grounds and spending time in the chapel, which has a great view out over the grounds and the river. You can usually see the groundhog family too.
The experience
They may offer guided retreats or spiritual direction but I didn’t arrange either. I enjoy solitude and if you are similarly inclined, this is a great place. Each hermitage is oriented such that you can’t see any of the others unless you get out and walk the grounds.
I only saw a few people on occasion and they mainly kept to themselves offering the occasional polite nod.
There generally wasn’t anyone at the chapel so I had it to myself as well as the library that adjoins it. I was hoping that there would be at least one Mass offered while I was there but there wasn’t. I’m not sure what the Mass schedule is or if there even is one. Regardless, it was comforting to be alone at the tabernacle.
The hermitage
I can only speak to Emmaus as that was the only hermitage I stayed in.
It was small and tidy and since it was mostly underground, very quiet.
During my first visit, I thought the air conditioner was running. Turns out it was just cool due to it being an earth contact structure. I had to run the heater non-stop which caused some condensation issues.
During my next visit, it was much more comfortable and I don’t think I had to run the heater at all. Not sure what changed but they did say they completed some work recently, I believe.
Emmaus had a stocked kitchen (not food, just cooking utensils) but I did bring my Instant Pot for rice prep which was helpful.
There is a chair and a desk along with a small front porch area which is nice to sit at and watch the barges go by.
The grounds
There is a long gravel road that leads to the retreat center. I walked this each morning and evening. It passes by a golf course which once were the grounds of a monastery years ago. I wasn’t quite sure but I think you can just barely see the ruins from the road.
During my first visit, the director said that as long as you wore your visitor badge, you could walk over to the old monastery to check it out. I like urbex as much as anyone, but I declined.
There is a fairly steep trail that leads down to the railroad tracks. I went down there during my second visit and crossed over to the banks of the river and walked around. Fortunately, a train didn’t pass by and cut me off from getting back. Although I guess there wasn’t any place I had to be!
Parting thoughts
If you are the kind of person who can enjoy long stretches of time by yourself, the Vision of Peace Hermitages is a great option.
The hermitage allows for reading, prayer, walking, journaling and other assorted introverted activities in abundance. Granted, this is not for everyone but I think it’s worthwhile to turn your phone off and spend some time thinking and reflecting.