Welcome to Conversations of the Heart
A thousand miles would you run to speak with another who you knew really felt it and yet when you got there, find yourself speechless!
And yet your only joy would be to speak of it….words fruitful, and filled with fire.
– Unknown Author, Cloud of Unknowing
The Author of the Cloud of Unknowing knew of our desire for spiritual conversation and of our joy in finding such a person with whom we can speak of the Divine Beloved dwelling in the silence in the ground of our own heart. Conversations of the Heart has been established by Robyn Fitzgerald to provide a contemplative space to embrace and deepen into these such beautiful conversations, through spiritual direction and silent retreat.
Silent Retreats in 2025
Beloved of My Heart
Six Day Silent Retreat Online
26th June to 1st July 2025
My lover, my lover, give me your blessing; flow out and let me flow in. From my heart, from my heart, I long for you, and I beg you, beloved of my heart, that I may be your own. Ah! For I am yours and you are mine. Make it so, that in your living love, I may sprout out in a new spirituality like the lilies that enjoy the water and the valley.
Gertrude of Helfta, Spiritual Exercises, II: 11-15
In this six-day silent retreat, we will immerse ourselves in the flowing of love in our hearts, flowing through all creation, in the flowing of love Gertrude of Helfta names “Beloved of my Heart”. Creating a small, silent communion, we will pray her Spiritual Exercises – a beautiful collection of affective, heart centred meditations unwaveringly dedicated to ever deepening union with God in contemplation.
This retreat will be offered to a small group of five people. Spiritual direction will be available each day. For more information contact Robyn at robyn.fitzgerald@proton.me
Word Made Flesh
Six Day Silent Retreat for Advent
Santa Casa Retreat Centre, Queenscliff, Victoria
3rd-10th December 2025
And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14.
My heart and soul rejoice in you, with all the substance of my flesh and spirit, through the being of the entire universe.
Gertrude of Helfta, Spiritual Exercises VI: 487
In the silence of Advent we will immerse our hearts in the fullness of love that has become us and dwells within us. We will enjoy the teachings of Gertrude of Helfta and Mechthilde of Hackeborn, especially their Advent writings, as we sense with all our heart the birthing of the Word in contemplation. We will delight in this birthing and its unfolding wisdom in this evolutionary moment, making everything new, everything worthy and everything one.
To register please email Sister Lizzie at santacasa@ismapng.org.au
