The House

“It is a place of peace, serenity and love.”

Nestled on a quiet little road just outside the city in Rothesay, New Brunswick, the Villa Madonna Retreat House has been a safe haven for the faithful to retreat from the world and spend quiet time with the Lord for almost 100 years. It is a little piece of heaven that welcomes thousands of guests every year.

The building features a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament for private prayer and group liturgical services, a large dining room, and multiple conference rooms. Accommodations are available for over 40 guests, with suites featuring private washroom facilities and rooms with shared washrooms. Guests can enjoy full-service meals, common areas, a large dining room and a deck. The facility is wheelchair accessible, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors. With its blend of historic charm and modern amenities, the Villa Madonna Retreat House provides a serene and supportive environment for spiritual renewal and community building.

The Villa Madonna Retreat House is situated on a serene 100-acre property, offering a tranquil escape for visitors seeking spiritual renewal and reflection. The expansive outdoor space is a key feature of the retreat, designed to enhance the overall experience of peace and contemplation.

The property boasts a network of wooded walking trails. These trails provide a perfect setting for quiet walks, meditation, and connecting with God through nature. Retreatants and the public are welcome to use our trails for spiritual and physical well-being throughout the seasons (walking, snowshoeing, etc).

One of the highlights of the outdoor space is the outdoor ‘Way of the Cross.’ This spiritual pathway features a series of stations that depict the events of Christ’s Passion. Each station is thoughtfully placed along the trail, inviting retreatants to pause, reflect, and pray.

The grounds of the Villa Madonna are spacious and well-maintained, providing ample room for various outdoor activities and gatherings. Whether you’re looking to find a quiet spot for personal reflection or participate in group activities, the open spaces are versatile and accommodating.

Trail & Grounds Map: COMING SOON

The chancery offices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint John occupy the west wing of the Villa Madonna, just above the kitchen and dining room and are separate from the rest of the retreat house. These include the Office of the Bishop, Vicar General and Chancellor, Pastoral Services, Communications, Finance Department, and Missionary Discipleship. The Diocesan Archives are also housed on the lower level of the Villa Madonna.

Key Features of the house include:

Chapel with Blessed Sacrament for private prayer and group liturgical services (with room for 50 guests)
1 large conference room (with room for 75 guests)
2 smaller conference rooms (with room for 15-20 guests each)
A large dining room (with room for 75 guests)
Small private dining room
Full service meals (for retreats with 15+ guests)
Ample free parking
Several kilometres of groomed walking trails
Outdoor Stations of the Cross
9 suites with private washroom facilities
33 rooms with shared washroom facilities
A common room and lounge
Business centre with computer and internet access

“It has a special place in many, many peoples’ hearts. And I think the Villa, when you walk in there’s just a sense of comfort and welcoming that people receive when they come here.”

The public are more than welcome to make use of our groomed trails, including the stations off the cross for personal prayer, hiking, dog-walking, etc. Please ensure you are picking up after your pets if they are joining you on our beautiful trails!
Yes, the Villa Madonna has a wheelchair ramp, elevator and guest rooms and washrooms that are accessible. We also have a wheelchair on-site if needed.
No, pets are not permitted inside the building. Service animals are welcome. Feel free to bring your pets on our trails! Just remember to clean up after them, please.
Yes! We are able to accommodate those with dietary restrictions such as celiac, lactose intolerance etc. Please provide notice as soon as possible prior to your stay that you require meal accommodations.
To secure your booking, a non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total estimated invoice is required within 2 months prior to the event. For more details on our cancellation policy please contact us.
The towns of Rothesay and Quispamsis and the City of Saint John are all within a 5-10 minute drive from the Villa and have many restaurant options.
If you choose to not have catering provided (or have a smaller group), you may bring in outside food. There is a refrigerator and microwave available for use but the kitchen is not available.
The Villa Madonna is located at 115 Villa Madonna Rad in Rothesay, New Brunswick. It is 15 minutes from Uptown Saint John and the Saint John airport.
The Villa Madonna has a wonderful selection of spiritual books available to enhance the retreat experience. The books chosen are faithful to Catholic teaching and encompass a variety of topics of interest, including: Spiritual Classics, Lives of the Saints, books on healing and prayer, and books by contemporary Catholic and Christian authors. A variety of books can be found in the main first floor sitting room, as well as on the second level near the Chapel. Spiritual books are an invaluable resource for any retreat and all are very welcome to enjoy them.
We have 3 suites and 6 rooms with ensuites. The other rooms have shared washroom facilities.
We certainly do! We have a suite dedicated to those who’d like to make an individual retreat.
We have a projector, screen, microphones and flip charts for use in the conference rooms.
Our kitchen is for use by our catering staff only.