“Awakening the universe that dreams through us”
The universe is a dance of creativity, and each of us moves as a vital part of its rhythm. In this time of unraveling and renewal, imagination becomes sacred ground — the meeting place of soul and cosmos.
Join us for a journey into the living conversation between creativity and spirit, where uncertainty itself becomes the threshold to transformation.
Inspired by Brian Swimme’s vision of a universe alive with allurement, creativity, and communion, and by Diarmuid O’Murchu’s vision of a living cosmos ever birthing itself into being, we will explore imagination as the deep pulse of our becoming — a wellspring of resilience, wonder, and hope.
Through shared dialogue, small-group reflection, daily SoulCollage® practice, and a private labyrinth walk in the luminous space of Chartres Cathedral - a place where human creativity and cosmic radiance meet - we will explore creativity as the universe expressing itself through us. Surrounded by centuries of devotion and light, we remember our original vocation: to say yes to the Great Work of co-creation — shaping a more conscious, compassionate, and vibrant world.
SoulCollage® is an intuitive collage process which connects you to your inner wisdom and a deeper understanding of your place in the cosmos. You do not need any prior experience in making SoulCollaeg® cards. All supplies and a generous supply of evocative images will be provided. Each participant will also receive their own book filled with images created specially for this retreat.
This is an invitation to honor the sacred impulses that seek expression through you, to follow their threads of allurement, and to live as a co-creator in the ever-evolving story of creation.
Come. Join us in an ancient place of refuge and renewal.
The Chartres Experience
From June 8-12, 2026, the Veriditas pilgrimage to Chartres, France, offers a blend of spiritual practice, historical exploration, and personal reflection. Program registration begins at the Hotelliere St. Yves in Chartres, France at 4:00 pm on Monday, followed by an orientation and opening reception. Each day begins with a seminar followed by a large group conversation, and leader led small group discussions. Participants will experience the sacred space of Chartres through a tour of the cathedral, as well as an unforgettable private candlelit labyrinth walk with medieval music. Participants will also have an opportunity to walk with the public, allowing time for reflection, connection, and community. The program concludes with a celebratory dinner on Friday evening that ends by 10 pm. You may want to plan to arrive a day prior to the start of the program to give yourself time to recover from jet lag, and we recommend planning to depart on the Saturday after the program concludes.
Catherine Anderson
The labyrinth Catherine constructed in her backyard in 2007 has been an important element in her mindfulness and creativity practices and Catherine loves showing others how the labyrinth can support us in quietening our mind and uncovering our creativity. She is the author of Journaling the Labyrinth Path, a book of finger labyrinths, quotes and journal prompts inspiring you to find your unique work in the world, Meeting Your Soul on the Labyrinth: SoulCollage® and the Labyrinth as Pathways for Transformation, and Tracing the Labyrinth Path, a book of finger labyrinths to use as a daily practice.
Catherine uses the labyrinth, SoulCollage®, expressive arts, poetry and mindfulness as pathways for self-discovery and as ways of uncovering meaning and purpose in life. Her personal journey of self-discovery has taken her from a career as an attorney to photography franchise owner, to creativity workshop facilitator.
Photography as contemplative practice is another creative passion for Catherine and her book The Creative Photographer won a Silver Nautilus Award in the Creative Process Category in 2012. Her book Contemplative Photography Retreat: Deepen Your Connection to the Elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water is a self-guided retreat in nature with your camera.
As a SoulCollage® Facilitator Trainer, Catherine loves teaching others how to facilitate workshops using the SoulCollage® process which uses images as a form of “soul language” to access our inner wisdom.
As a life-long learner, Catherine has been fortunate to train with Jean Houston, Seena Frost, Lauren Artress, Jan Phillips and many other wise teachers. In addition to her work in the US, Catherine leads creative pilgrimages to South Africa, France, Italy, Mexico, Portugal and Scotland.
www.CreativePilgrimage.com
The Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress
The Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress is Canon Emerita of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and author of Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice; The Sacred Path Companion: How to Use the Labyrinth to Heal and Transform; and The Path of the Holy Fool: How the Labyrinth Ignites our Visionary Powers. Her first book Walking a Sacred Path was instrumental in launching what the New York Times named The Labyrinth Movement in May, 1998. She founded the non-profit, Veriditas, the World-Wide Labyrinth Project, in 1996 to “pepper the planet with labyrinths.” With over 6,000 labyrinth sites in the U.S. alone, her nonprofit work embraces the vision to activate and transform the human spirit through the labyrinth experience. Lauren received the Gandhi, King, and Ikeda Peace Award for her work in bringing people together in creative, peace-giving ways. In 2021 she received the Extraordinary Visionary Leader award from Women Creating our Futures. She is on the Editorial Board of Presence Magazine, a publication of Spiritual Directors International. Lauren is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of California.
Logistical Information
Travel to and from Chartres: We look forward to welcoming you in Chartres! Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from Chartres. Most airline flights will arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France. You have a variety of options on getting to Chartres from CDG Airport.
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- Consider taking an UBER to Chartres. It has proven to be a convenient and cost effective option.
- The most economical way is to take a taxi to the Montparnasse Train Station and take a train to Chartres. Chartres is about an hour outside of Paris by train. For train information, please see the SNCF website.
- You can make a reservation online for a car or small van to meet you at the airport and drive you to Chartres.
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- You can also consider the option of taking a taxi all the way to Chartres, though the cost will be in the range of 150 – 200 Euro or more. If several participants arrive at the same time, sharing a taxi will bring the price down.
We will be creating an online Circle group for participants to be able to connect with each other prior to the start of the Pilgrimage in case you want to plan to share accommodations or transportation to Chartres. An invitation to join the group will be included in your confirmation email when you register.
Accommodation: Veriditas has a very small block of rooms reserved at the Hotellerie St. Yves for each week that we will be in Chartres in 2025. You will receive a link to book your room after you register for a Pilgrimage. Most participants find the rooms comfortable and convenient. Each has a small bathroom with a shower. Bedding and towels are provided, but you will need to bring a hairdryer. You may also choose to use booking.com to locate accommodation near to the Hotellerie St. Yves where the program is held.
Meals: Chartres is a charming, medieval village with many options for eating out from casual fare such as omelettes and soup to fancier formal restaurants. There is also a grocery store in walking distance that sells sandwiches and snacks. Breakfast is included in the cost of your accommodation if you book through our block of rooms at the Hotellerie St. Yves. You are responsible for your own lunches and dinners throughout the week.
Spouse packages (partner/family/friends) are available if they want to come but not participate in the full program. Includes opening reception, closing dinner and cathedral tour. Simply select spouse package when you register.
Cancellation Policy: We understand that life happens! When things don’t go as you planned, Veriditas has policies in place so that you always know what to expect should you have to cancel an event. Please read our updated cancellation policy here.
Travel Insurance: Veriditas strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance to cover your expenses in the event of an unforeseen circumstance that may hinder your ability to attend the program. . Click here for a link to Travel Guard, specializing in insurance for our Chartres programs.
For additional information on our Walking a Sacred Path Pilgrimages, please click here.
