A retreat aimed at empowering women through spiritual healing is set to take place in Fargo from November 20 to 22. Titled “Undone: Freedom for the Feminine Heart,” the event is organized by the John Paul II Healing Center and promises to guide participants in reclaiming their dignity in Christ. The retreat’s focus is on understanding the feminine identity and overcoming past hurts that inhibit personal growth and spiritual fulfillment.
Carrie Daunt, a key facilitator of the retreat, draws inspiration from the teachings of St. Irenaeus, who stated that “the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary.” Daunt emphasizes that even today, women struggle with the emotional and spiritual knots that hinder their full engagement with life. “In all of the places of our brokenness, when Mary gave her fiat, that was loosed,” she explained, adding that the retreat aims to provide a safe space for women to explore their identities and spiritual journeys.
The retreat will feature a combination of personal testimonies, prayer, journaling, and small-group discussions. Daunt highlights that the sharing of personal experiences creates an environment where women feel safe to confront their own vulnerabilities. “Women especially have built a lot of walls and facades,” she noted, indicating that the retreat would help dismantle these barriers.
Participants will be encouraged to engage with their grief and brokenness in a collective manner, recognizing that they do not carry these burdens alone. “When there’s this collective chance to bring it to Jesus, we realize we don’t carry it alone,” Daunt commented. The event is intended not to force participants into uncomfortable revelations but to facilitate gentle healing. “The Lord just wants to do a delicate surgery,” she assured.
Jennie Korsmo, who oversees formation and education for the Fargo Diocese, took part in a prior Undone retreat in Panama City, Florida, to evaluate its suitability for the Fargo community. Along with her colleague, Brad Gray, Korsmo felt a strong call to emphasize healing within the community. She noted that wounds can manifest in various roles women play, such as daughter, sister, or mother. “Undone helps undo those knots and hurts and provides a safe place for that encounter with the Lord,” she said.
Each woman’s experience at the retreat will be unique, shaped by personal histories and relationships. Korsmo pointed out that societal pressures often encourage women to appear self-sufficient and avoid vulnerability. “We don’t want anyone to see that,” she explained, likening it to defensive behavior in the animal kingdom. “But we’re more than animals; we were made in God’s image and likeness.”
The retreat is designed to accommodate working women, featuring an online-only option for those unable to attend in person. The schedule includes distinct themes for each day, such as “The Consummate Creation” on Thursday and “The Tangled Truth” on Friday, culminating in sessions titled “Untying the Knot” and “Living Undone” on Saturday.
Connie Savageau, event coordinator for Sts. Anne & Joachim Parish, expressed her excitement about the retreat, stating that it could benefit women at any stage of their faith journey. “It brings tears to my eyes to think about it,” she said of her own experience at a similar retreat. Savageau highlighted that the retreat allows participants to engage in small-group discussions or take time for personal reflection and prayer.
The event aims to address the emotional wounds women often carry, which can remain unacknowledged over the years. “It might be sitting there in the back of their minds, an event or word that was spoken when you were 14 or 18,” Savageau noted, emphasizing the importance of confronting these issues. The retreat is an opportunity to untie those old knots and move forward.
The “Undone” retreat is open to all women and encourages attendance from nursing mothers as well. Daunt appreciates the diversity of attendees, welcoming women of all ages. “If we don’t take a chance, we’ll never know what’s on the other side or how good things can be,” Korsmo concluded.
What: “Undone” women’s retreat by John Paul II Healing Center
When: November 20-22; 17:30 to 22:00 on Thursday and Friday; 09:00 to 16:00 on Saturday
Where: Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church, 5202 25th St. S., Fargo
Info: Hosted by the Fargo and Crookston Catholic dioceses, the event includes talks, praise and worship music, small-group discussions, and private prayer time. The cost is $175, including snacks and a Saturday meal; $119 for online only. Registration is available at fargodiocese.org/undone. An optional resource for preparation is the book “Undone: Freeing Your Feminine Heart from the Knots of Fear and Shame.” More information can be found at jpiihealingcenter.org.
