Whole & Holy Retreat
An Invitation to Christ-Centered Wellness
Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles | 920 E Alhambra Rd, Alhambra, CA 91801, United States
Friday, October 10 – Saturday, October 11
We invite you to join us for a retreat taking place between the feasts of our patronesses, St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Ávila. Receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confession, encounter Christ in Eucharistic Adoration, and enjoy nourishing meals, seminars, Q&A, and fellowship — all inspired by two saints who, in their own ways, show us what it means to be wholly His.
Lord, I desire to be whole and holy.
From the desire to overhaul my life all at once, deliver me, Jesus.
From tireless labor without rest, deliver me, Jesus.
From searching outside of you for my identity and purpose, deliver me, Jesus.
From humbly place my trust in you as the Divine Healer, reform me, Jesus.
“Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be and becoming that person.”
– Attributed to St. Thérèse of Lisieux
An Invitation to Christ-Centered Wellness
At Reform, we define health as the state of body and soul, together, and invite others to a life of simplicity — ordering every part of their health and well-being toward Christ.
Our integrative approach uses the framework of nine Wellness Pillars—areas where we nurture whole-person health: Nutrition, Sleep, Stress Management, Community, Faith, Personal Growth, Space, Functional Movement, and Play. Each pillar relates to and supports the others. All are rooted in Christ.
Our formation is designed to help you cultivate a holy and healthy lifestyle through sustainable habits that support your physical and spiritual well-being. We help to address the root causes of disease and create an internal and external environment to heal the whole person.
We will always encourage you to begin with the change that you are resisting the most, because that is where the Lord is asking You to trust Him as the One who can heal all wounds.
Two Saints, One Fire
Together, these two Teresas show us that sanctity has no single shape. Some of us are called to the big way — bold surrender, deep interior work, and dramatic conversion. Others are called to the little way — quiet fidelity, small offerings, and daily surrender in the tasks right in front of us.
Most of us need both. This retreat sits between their feast days on purpose: an invitation to let their wisdom meet you wherever you are.
Sts. Thérèse of Lisieux and Teresa of Ávila share a name, the Carmelite habit, and a longing for union with God — yet they walked strikingly different paths to get there and offer distinct but complementary paths for Christians to follow as they journey along their earthly pilgrimage.
St. Teresa, the reformer and mystic, describes the soul's ascent to God through prayer, discipline, and interior transformation in her work The Interior Castle. Three centuries later, St. Thérèse discovered her “Little Way,” writing that holiness is not cultivated through grand feats but through hidden faithfulness in the small, ordinary duties of each day when they are offered with love.
Whole & Holy is built on a simple conviction: your well-being is not divided into "spiritual" and "everything else." The way you rest, the way you eat, the way you show up for others, the way you spend your time — all of it is formation. All of it is an opportunity to place Christ at the center. Over these two days, we'll explore what it looks like to bring Him into every dimension of your life, not as one item on a list of priorities, but as the center around which everything else finds its order.
Christ at the Center of Every Part of You
What to Expect
Friday evening opens with a time of welcome, an introduction to the weekend, and an early invitation into stillness before God. Saturday unfolds intentionally — Holy Mass, Confession, and Eucharistic Adoration anchor the day, held together by education seminars, guided discussion, Q&A, shared meals, and time for quiet and fellowship. Nothing is rushed. The goal isn't to leave with more to do, but with a daily rhythm of formation that keeps Christ at the center long after the retreat ends.
Come as you are
Whole & Holy is open to anyone longing for more — more depth, more peace, more of Him. Whether you're drawn to St. Teresa's fire or St. Thérèse's quiet trust, there is a place for you here. Participants will hear the healing truth that our true identity is found in Christ and will be given practical tools to live from this truth every day. Your holiness, health, and healing can’t wait—join us by signing up today.
Regular Pricing - $550
“Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with perfect confidence.”
— St. Francis de Sales
FAQs
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We welcome women who have graduated from Reform and are ready for a deep encounter with Christ in the Eucharist and throughout the nine wellness pillars.
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The retreat will be limited to 40 retreatants.
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Throughout the week, we will nourish our bodies, minds, and souls through reflections, contemplative prayer, and meals that encompass Reform’s nine wellness pillars. We will celebrate daily Mass, pray in adoration, explore nature, imitate Mary and more! The specifics for each day’s activities will be shared shortly before the retreat.
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Transportation via coach shuttle bus from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Islip Macarthur Airport (ISP) to CorMaria be an optional add-on. Transportation to and from the airport to the CorMaria is not included in the cost of the retreat.
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All meals and snacks will be gluten-free. The retreat chef is able to accommodate other restrictions. You are welcome to bring additional snacks or alternative options as needed.
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Most retreatants will have their own bedroom. 12 guests, however, will be placed in a double room with two twin beds. Single rooms are available on a first come basis.
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A car is not needed for this retreat. If you are driving to the retreat, parking is available at CorMaria.
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Arrival:
Please plan to arrive at the CorMaria Retreat by 4:00 PM on Monday, October 6. Be sure to consider your travel time and any potential delays to ensure a timely arrival.For retreatants who will need transportation from the retreat, we have arranged for a coach shuttle bus to depart from CorMaria. Please plan accordingly:
Arrive to JFK before 1:30 PM for bus departure to CorMaria at 2:00 PM
Arrive to ISP before 2:30 PM bus departure to CorMaria at 3:00 PM
Departure:
The retreat will conclude at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 9. You may book your flights to either John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP). For those in need, we have arranged for a coach shuttle bus to depart from CorMaria. Please ensure that your flight departs after 1:30 PM from ISP or 2:30 PM from JFK to allow sufficient time for travel and airport check-in.
To reserve a seat on the shuttle bus, please contact our team: community@reformwellness.co.
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We recommend packing comfortable clothes and shoes, a reusable water bottle, Mass attire, a journal, rosaries/prayer resources, and an open heart. Towels, sheets, and a pillow will be provided, but you will need to bring your own toiletries.
“O unfathomable sea of love! Who will ever be able to sound your depths? For the greater and more sublime the things that are said about you, the greater and more sublime are those that remain unsaid. And it is greater to remain silent about such things than to speak of them.”
— St. John Damascene