Minute Meditations:
A Moment at Maryville

Take a minute to pause, breathe and be present.

At Maryville Retreat Center, the beauty of creation is all around us, from the gentle movement of the water to the rustling of trees and the songs of birds. These Minute Meditations invite you to slow down and simply notice.

Minute Meditations are free nature videos filmed on the grounds of Maryville Retreat Center in Holly, Michigan. They offer a simple way to find a moment of stillness in your day.

Each one-minute video captures the sights and sounds of Maryville’s natural surroundings. There is no need to do anything but watch, listen and take a moment of peace.

Press play. Take a breath. Be still.

Stones stacked on top of each other in front of the ocean

Minute Meditation 1: Waters of Peace

Let the gentle sounds of the water and the peaceful presence of geese invite you to slow down. Take a minute to breathe deeply, quiet your mind and rest in the beauty of creation.

Minute Meditation 2: Wild Encounters

A quiet moment at Maryville can reveal some wonderful visitors. Watch as turkeys and a crane move through the landscape, reminding us to pause and appreciate the simple beauty of the world around us.

Minute Meditation 3: The Whisper of the Trees

Listen to the wind moving gently through the trees. Let the rhythm of the branches and leaves draw you away from the busyness of the day and into a moment of stillness and peace.

Minute Meditation 4: Songs of Creation

Birdsong, trees, water and the peaceful landscape of Maryville come together in this quiet moment. Close your eyes for a moment, listen and allow the sounds of creation to refresh your spirit.

Find Stillness at Maryville

We invite you to come and experience the natural beauty and stillness of Maryville Retreat Center. Explore our retreat offerings and upcoming programs, or simply take a day to walk the grounds and trails you see in these videos through our weekly day retreat, Mondays at Maryville.

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Monica

Relaxing, wonderful way to get away from it all. Love the nature, lake, trees, and seeing wildlife. A walking trail around the lake is easy to navigate. Rooms and entire retreat very clean and team are engaging and inviting. Retreat accommodates various diets including vegan.

Amy Strzalkowski

This was my first visit to the retreat center, it won’t be my last. The care they provide was a true blessing. I attended for the encountering God through Art retreat. It was truly an amazing experience. Aside from the art experience the grounds were beautiful and provided space for relaxation and connection with nature. The food was delicious, I appreciated the freshness. Truly thank you for making sure all our needs are met so we can leave the hustle and bustle of life and reconnect with ourselves and God for us believers. Even if you aren’t Catholic/christian this is an amazing place to relax and reset. I highly recommend it!

Farris Alamat

Sr Jane and Sr Judy were phenomenal directors of the Encountering God through art retreat. We did so much Scripture but we were invited to let the Holy Spirit move us and then we created what we were inspired to create. We created through 5 mediums and we shared our inspiration for whatever pieces we wanted to talk about. Moving and spiritual and I felt the Spirit throughout. I met some wonderful people and the all the staff were kind and helpful. Sr Anna was so inviting when I arrived and made me feel welcomed. Fr Ron gave us a great homily about trusting in God when we don’t feel like we can do it on our own. And Nick was really supportive. And finally I want to thank Sr Judy for her spiritual direction. Thank you all and God bless you!!!

Tammy F

Maryville Retreat Center is so nice. I really enjoyed my weekend here. Beautifully landscaped, lovely lake, nice rooms with private bathroom and wonderful meals. Hope to be back with our group next year.

hether jonna

I love this place - it is beautiful, cared for with love, and the hospitality is amazing. Highly recommend!

Patricia Hill

I spent a peaceful day retreat at this beautiful center. Even though I was only there for an 8 hour day, I had my own room with a desk, bed, chair with footrest and a private bathroom. The staff is friendly and helpful, the views are amazing, and the trails well maintained. I plan to return and highly recommend.

Jolie Whiteman

We just had 100 guests for my mom's 90th birthday celebration. The entire staff was so helpful and supportive throughout the afternoon and the food was delicious!! Our guests couldn't stop talking about how peaceful it is there - beautiful grounds.

brian granader

The new management here is wonderful! Very professional and always kind and helpful. The buildings have been updated and are clean and fresh! I look forward to hosting more retreats in the future.

Monica Levin

I recently had the opportunity to both lead and attend an Inner Guidance Retreat at Maryville Retreat Center, and the experience was truly supportive on every level. The property itself is beautiful, with a peaceful 1.5-mile path around the lake that is ideal for walking meditation. Along the way, there are thoughtful spots to pause, sit, and reflect, which added so much depth to the experience. The accommodations were clean, private, and quiet, making it easy to rest and integrate the work we were doing. The common area in St. Felix Lodge was perfect for our Inner Guidance Communication sessions, as well as art projects, yoga, and simply enjoying time together. I especially appreciated how accommodating they were with food, ensuring my specific dietary needs were met with care. The staff was consistently friendly and helpful, creating a welcoming and supportive environment throughout our stay. Having our own private fire pit in the evenings was a wonderful touch, offering a relaxed space to unwind and connect at the end of each day. Overall, Maryville Retreat Center provides a beautiful, nurturing setting that supports both personal reflection and group connection. Our group has already scheduled or next retreat!