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Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Shantivanam" mean?
Is Shantivanam supported by the Catholic Church?
Do I have to be Catholic to come to Shantivanam?
Where is Shantivanam located?
Can I drop in for a visit any time?
What accommodations are available for retreat guests?
How much does it cost to stay at Shantivanam?
How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?
Is Shantivanam open year-round?
Is transportation from the airport available?
Does a stay at Shantivanam include meals?
What do I need to bring when I come to stay at Shantivanam?
May I bring my pet with me to Shantivanam?
Who founded Shantivanam, and who is on the current staff?
Do you have daily mass at Shantivanam?
Does Shantivanam have a chapel?
Is spiritual direction offered at Shantivanam?
Does Shantivanam offer speakers and retreats for groups?
What do guests do on a private retreat?
Does Shantivanam have a library for the use of guests?
Does Shantivanam have a sabbatical program?
Can I bring my computer to Shantivanam?
Do cell phones work at Shantivanam?
How can I get on your newsletter mailing list?
Where can I purchase books written by Fr. Edward Hays?
Are gift certificates available for purchase?
What does "Shantivanam" mean?
Shantivanam is a Sanskrit word that translates as "forest of peace."
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Is Shantivanam supported by the Catholic Church?
Shantivanam is a ministry of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, and receives a stipend from the Archdiocese. However, Shantivanam is responsible for raising the majority of its operating expenses. Financial support comes from an Annual Appeal that is included in the April issue of our bimonthly newsletter, The Forest Letter, and from donations made by guests.
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Do I have to be Catholic to come to Shantivanam?
No; persons of all religious backgrounds who are seeking sacred solitude and a place of retreat in a contemplative, rural setting are welcome to stay at the House of Prayer. This policy reflects one of the Scripture passages on which Shantivanam was founded: "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (Isaiah 56:7)
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Where is Shantivanam located?
Shantivanam is located outside of the rural community of Easton, Kansas, about 14 miles west of Leavenworth. If you would like to come for a retreat, for spiritual direction, or for a tour, please see the Reservations tab.
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Can I drop in for a visit any time?
You are welcome to come for a tour; however, to ensure that a staff member is present, we ask that you call or email first and arrange a time for a visit (see Reservations tab). The best times to arrange a tour are Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings between 8:30 and 11:00, or Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday afternoons between 1:00 and 3:30. Please note that visitors are not permitted to walk on the grounds when they come for a tour because we wish to honor the solitude of our retreat guests. Guests are welcome to make a reservation for a day's retreat (8:30 am to 4 pm). Persons who make a day's retreat are given access to a dwelling for the day and are free to use the grounds.
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What accommodations are available for retreat guests?
Three styles of accommodations are available:
- Guests may choose a Courtyard Guest Room with a bathroom and kitchenette located in a guest wing next to the chapel (one is designed to be available to the physically challenged).
- In the woods (approximately a 5-minute walk from the communal structure) we have Forest Cabins with full facilities (a bathroom, full-sized kitchen with a refrigerator, stove/oven, sink, toaster, and coffee maker [no microwave oven], air conditioning, and a screened-in porch).
- Also in the woods (approximately an 8-minute walk from the communal structure) we have Hermitages with electric heat, lights, fans, and a hot plate but without plumbing (bathroom facilities for those staying in Hermitages are in the communal structure). Hermitages are available April 1 – November 1.
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How much does it cost to stay at Shantivanam?
We at Shantivanam seek to serve all our guests in a spirit of simplicity. However, to continue to share our spirit of solitude and prayer with guests, we must meet the many expenses involved in running our facility. Below we outline suggested donations for various types of visits. If you are unable to afford the suggested offering, please leave what you are able to.
- One day (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
- in a cabin or courtyard guest room: $50
- in a hermitage: $25
- One or two nights
- in a cabin or courtyard guest room: $85 per night
- in a hermitage: $40 per night
- Three or four nights
- in a cabin or courtyard guest room: $70 per night
- in a hermitage: $35 per night
- A week
- in a cabin or courtyard guest room: $300
- in a hermitage: $150
- A sabbatical (one- to twelve-month period) in a cabin or courtyard guest room:
- $800 per month (with communal meals)
- $600 per month (providing all your own food)
- A couple sharing the same accommodation: an additional half of the aforementioned guidelines
- Persons wishing to make a guided retreat are asked to contribute an additional $20 for each day they meet with their director
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How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?
We suggest calling at least two weeks in advance, if possible; however, we also accept last-minute reservations when space is available. We accept reservations seasonally according to the following schedule:
- January – April: Reservations may be made starting October 15
- May – August: Reservations may be made starting February 15
- September – December: Reservations may be made starting June 15
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Is Shantivanam open year-round?
Shantivanam is open year-round except for the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
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Is transportation from the airport available?
If you need transportation from MCI (the Kansas City airport), we can arrange for Rick's Airport Express to pick you up and bring you directly to Shantivanam. The cost of a one-way trip is currently $35.
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Does a stay at Shantivanam include meals?
Guests are welcome to join the staff and other guests for breakfast and a sit-down midday vegetarian meal on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On those days, in the evening, we provide a thermos of homemade soup and allow guests to pack a supper bag (bread, crackers, cheese, veggies, fruit, peanut butter, etc.) that they take to their dwelling to eat in solitude. On Thursday, our Forest Day (i.e., day of solitude) we do not have communal meals or prayers and provide simple food that can be picked up in the kitchen throughout the day. We also do not have communal meals or prayers on Sunday evening and all day Monday.
Some guests who desire more solitude time or who have specific dietary restrictions bring their own food to prepare in their dwelling and do not join the staff and other guests for meals. The Forest Cabins and Courtyard Guest Rooms (in the guest wing) have a stove, refrigerator, toaster, and coffee maker. The Forest Cabins also have an oven. None of the dwellings have microwave ovens.
All food served at Shantivanam is vegetarian (not vegan). We are not able to accommodate special dietary needs at communal meals.
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What do I need to bring when I come to stay at Shantivanam?
We suggest you bring a pair of walking shoes or boots, rain/snow gear, and a flashlight. Dress is casual. You do not need to bring linens; sheets and towels are provided.
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May I bring my pet with me to Shantivanam?
Guests are not allowed to bring pets to Shantivanam.
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Who founded Shantivanam, and who is on the current staff?
It was Archbishop Ignatius Strecker's vision to have a house of prayer for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Fr. Ed Hays, an Archdiocesan priest, created the house of prayer with the assistance of many volunteers and staff members. Fr. Ed was the director from 1972-1996; Precious Blood priest Fr. Joseph Nassal was the director from 1996-1998; Jennifer Sullivan was director from 1998-2006; and until June 2010 the director was Sr. Eileen Haynes, SCL.
Current staff members are Joanne Meyer (acting interim director), Mary Pineau, Joe Alford, and Peg Del Debbio.
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Do you have daily mass at Shantivanam?
Because we do not have a resident priest, we do not have daily mass at Shantivanam.
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Does Shantivanam have a chapel?
Yes, Shantivanam has a chapel that is available at all times for the use of guests.
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Is spiritual direction offered at Shantivanam?
Yes, spiritual direction is offered at Shantivanam by Yvonne Streff, who was commissioned as a spiritual director through the School for Spiritual Directors at Pecos, New Mexico. In addition, spiritual companionship is offered by Sr. Eileen Haynes, SCL, who is currently a member of the SoulJourners spiritual direction program in Atchison, Kansas.
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Does Shantivanam offer speakers and retreats for groups?
Shantivanam does not offer speakers or programs for groups. Guests either do private retreats or may request a guided retreat, which can be provided by our spiritual director. A guided retreat entails meeting with the spiritual director once or twice a day and engaging in specific exercises or reading assignments.
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What do guests do on a private retreat?
Guests are welcome to join the staff for prayers three times daily, as well as a communal breakfast and midday meal. Many guests spend their time reading, walking on our extensive nature trails, journaling, napping, doing artwork, and following personal prayer practices. To maintain an atmosphere of solitude, we ask that guests not play musical instruments outside of their dwelling.
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Does Shantivanam have a library for the use of guests?
Yes, Shantivanam has a good-sized library of books and periodicals as well as a smaller selection of cassettes, CDs, and DVDs that may be borrowed by guests. Portable DVD/CD players and cassette players are available.
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Does Shantivanam have a sabbatical program?
Yes, Shantivanam has a sabbatical program for guests who wish to stay one to twelve months. Persons interested in making a sabbatical should send a letter of application to the attention of the Director.
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Can I bring my computer to Shantivanam?
All of our dwellings have electricity, so you can plug in a computer if you wish, but Internet access is not available for guests. It is possible for sabbatical guests to check e-mail periodically.
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Do cell phones work at Shantivanam?
Cell phone reception is hit or miss. Two of our guest cabins have telephones, and everyone is welcome to use a phone located in the main building (a calling card, available for purchase at Shantivanam, is necessary to make long-distance calls). We ask that guests not use cell phones in communal areas.
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How can I get on your newsletter mailing list?
To receive our Forest Letter, which is published six times a year, please send your name and complete mailing address to us by postal mail or email at:
Shantivanam
22019 Meagher Rd
Easton, KS 66020-7038
info@shantivanam.com
If you want us to send the Forest Letter to someone else, please make sure they would like to receive it before you send us their name.
Please note: Shantivanam does not share its mailing list with anyone, and at present we do not send out any mailings ourselves other than the newsletter.
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Where can I purchase books written by Fr. Edward Hays?
Fr. Ed's books are available through Ave Maria Press (phone 1-800-282-1865, or on the Ave Maria Press web site at www.avemariapress.com).
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Are gift certificates available for purchase?
Gift certificates for a stay at Shantivanam are available. To obtain a gift certificate, please send a check to Shantivanam, along with the following information:
- Your name, address and phone number
- The name and address of the gift recipient
- The length of the stay you wish to provide
- Whether we should send the certificate to you or directly to the recipient
Upon receipt of payment, we will send the certificate, along with a brochure, either to you or directly to the gift recipient. For donation guidelines, please see the Retreat Cost page. [Back to top]
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