Villa De Matel Convent

So beautiful. Attended the Christmas Concert tonight and was in awe. 🙏🏻

Attended the Ruah Retreat Center here. Peaceful, prayerful, a journey towards Christ. Seek and you will find.

An overnight retreat many years ago was good for my soul. I need a slower pace to be with God and this really helped me. Thank you.

Beautiful grounds and truly a place to get away and reflect or restart.

I took a silent retreat for the day and it was incredible! I look forward to going back. The staff, food and facilities with supplies met all my needs

I grew up in the area and even eaten in the cafeteria across the street from it but this place was hidden until I turned 56! You NEVER know where YESHUA will take you or OPEN your access gate to. Yes, it’s definitely a Silent one that will allow us to dump and then re-charge before leaving! I am still astonished

Went to pay my respects at the gravesite of my Aunt, who was a member of the CCVI and attend Holyday Mass with the Community of Nuns.

This is an incredible place. It guards the beauty of silence very carefully. If you read any reviews that state that they were told to leave, more than likely there is a misunderstanding of a sacred ground such as this monastery. These places are active places of retreat, worship and silence, they are not made for casual strolls, curious visits or tourist tours/sights. If you come uninvited to "look" you might not receive a welcome, don't take it personal, they protect the silence that seekers and retreat goers inside their doors need. If you announce your visit and come with the intention to find rest and silence you will be most welcomed!

The Villa de Matel Convent is home to the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. It is also used as a place of worship and a retreat, a central gathering place, and a retirement center. You might ask, "Why on earth would one review a convent in Yelp?" My answer would be because of the chapel that is situated in the middle of the lush forested grounds of the convent. If you have a spiritual nature and have ever found the Rothko Chapel a sacred place that warms your heart and soothes your soul, you would find the Chapel at the Villa de Matel a similar space. Its tall nave bordered by richly-hued Tiffany stained glass windows is breathtakingly beautiful. I am familiar with this place because of choral music concerts that have been performed here. The acoustics lend an other-worldly resonance to the human voice and its three-second reverberation is magnificent. If you wish to visit, I strongly suggest you call the convent first and ask when you can be accommodated. "Get thee to a nunnery." -- Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1

I was here for a four day religious retreat. The retreat wasn't from the sisters at the convent but they were nice enough to host and participated with us. I love the sisters here! They were so kind to us. Their kitchen staff makes the best bread pudding!!!! if you ever have a chance to come here to eat in celebration of something. EAT IT and maybe ask for some to go. I SO TOTALLY REGRET NOT ASKING FOR TO GO RIGHT NOW!!!! :( I didn't want to be rude. It was the bread pudding ever!!!! This is a HUGE compound! don't get lost and end up in the graveyard. LOL I heard it's a friendly graveyard but I wasn't going to test it out! the chapel is really beautiful! the floor is marble with high ceiling. The seating is face to face. A little different than facing up at the priest. Very intimate!

After months of my friends "encouraging" me to take a personal day of retreat, I finally blocked out some time to visit the convent to spend some prayer time with the Lord where I knew I would be away fr distractions, people and technology. I was referred by my pastor and his wife and called to make an appointment. Before coming here, it's recommended that you meet with the spiritual director, Janet who is a wonderful woman who wants to get to know you and pray for you. There's a specific parking area you need to park at which is near the front of the ruah center and welcome/check in desk. You sign in and wait for Janet to meet you. After some spiritual guidance and chat, Janet gave me the tour of the various quiet, reading, praying, creative arts, listening rooms and the cafeteria. I wasn't able to stay in the dorms because there was a nuns conference going on but there was plenty of open spaces. I loved that there is no expectation of people talking to you or bothering you. I spent the day in various rooms praying and reading. There were rockers, couches, chairs, recliners, etc. It was such a wonderful experience that I plan on coming regularly to be in solitude with God. Lunch and dinner is also served and the food was great! For lunch, I had salad with fish, baked potato, fruit, broccoli and a brownie with ice cream. The best part is that you don't have to make small talk or talk to anyone in the dining hall because they are all there to be in solitude. They are able to run and provide these types of services based on donations and what the people are led to with giving so please make sure to donate at the boxes as an offering of gratitude. The grounds are beautiful and there's many places to sit outside but since it was freezing, it wasn't quite outside nature weather for me. I can't wait to spend some time outdoors when the weather gets warm.

Love this place and the beautiful grounds. Perfect for a retreat. A getaway from the hustle and bustle yet inside the city. A hidden gem. Love the Sisters and many of the employees. My former employer.

This is the place to go to listen to God through quiet contemplation. There is peace in this beautiful place. And Janet!!! well there is absolutely no one better than Princess Janet! Kind, loving, sincere, honest and cute as a button. Kitchen staff knows how to cook too. Unfortunately I didnt get any of that bread pudding talked about in earlier posts. On retreat my room was very comfortable and the bed very cushy and welcoming. Thank you for being there!!!

keeping it simple. The Villa De Matel Convent is The Lord God's Righteous Right Hand at work, through the many servants whom reside there and those that are on staff, bringing comfort to those that visit seeking God's Peace and HIS Presence. Thank you God The Father*Son-Jesus*Holy Spirit for YOUR outpouring presence and love within the grounds and walls of Villa De Matel and the Ruah Center. Amen