SOLD OUT – On Request

MAGDALENE MOVEMENT RETREAT IN NEW ORLEANS

Presented by
Kathleen McGowan
December 2 to 5, 2022

Louisiana is a magical place with a storied history filled with legends of powerful, spiritual women. New Orleans is the jewel in the crown, sparkling with Cajun and Creole influences with a foundation in heretical French traditions.

In Kathleen’s record breaking novel, The Expected One, her protagonist character Maureen hails from Louisiana and finds important secrets to her heritage there. The connections between New Orleans and the Magdalene Line are strong, and we will be exploring those from our base in the French Quarter.

Kathleen was the first author to return on a book tour to New Orleans following hurricane Katrina, as she wanted to support the city which had such important ties to her book and her own story. She will present workshops on the women of the Magdalene Line, including Anne Boleyn, as the fourth book in her series, The Boleyn Heresy will be released at the same time. Books will be available for signing. 

For those who have an extra day, Kathleen will be leading a very special optional program that will include two unique tours. One is “Voodoo Queens of New Orleans” and the other is “Bad Bitches of New Orleans.” A delightful dinner at a restaurant known for one of the best cuisines in New Orleans ends our day.

Your Host for the Weekend’s Retreat:

Kathleen McGowan
Television personality and international bestselling author of The Magdalene Line series, including The Expected One and The Book of Love, which appear in 45 languages worldwide, as well as the non-fiction Source of Miracles, which was on Oprah’s Holiday Book List. Kathleen brings a depth of knowledge and passion for writing and publishing, and started her career as one of the most successful self-published authors in history. She is currently in the early stages of founding her own publishing company to promote new voices.

Mary Magdalene New Orleans Retreat Details

Day 1, Friday – December 2: Retreat Starts (D)
Arrival in New Orleans and then on your own to your reserved accommodations at the Hotel Monteleone, in the heart of New Orleans. Time to refresh yourself before your welcome dinner with wine, a program overview for the weekend by Kathleen and the preliminaries of the Workshop. Then we retreat to the hotel’s rooftop bar for a welcome drink of prosecco and some of Kathleen’s famous “Story time.”

Day 2, Saturday – December 3: Retreat Continues- Full Day Workshop (B/D)
After breakfast. A full day of workshops and discussions on the Life and Teachings of the women who claimed descent from Mary Magdalene, with a special presentation on Anne Boleyn and the French queens who were her mentors.  Lunch is on your own, or you can use that free time to walk in the hotel’s neighborhood which is located near the French Quarter before resuming for a full afternoon where Kathleen will discuss material from another forthcoming book (2023), The Magdalene Way: How to Walk Her Path of Love.  In the evening after our group dinner, we will all gather and enjoy a glass of champagne at the famous Merry-Go-Round Bar.

Day 3, Sunday – December 4: Retreat Continues-Morning Workshop. Afternoon Special New Orleans Sightseeing Tour & Mississippi River Boat Cruise & Dinner (B/D)
After breakfast, Kathleen will continue with a fun exercise on archetypes. This is followed by a lunch break on our own. In the afternoon we will board our coach for a sightseeing tour of the city with an overview of New Orleans. Experience the history and culture of the Creoles as we first visit the French Quarter and learn all of the history surrounding this special part of the city. Then onto view the garden district, before going to visit the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, affected by Hurricane Katrina. After the ride through the 9th Ward we visit the city park and a special cemetery tour, showing some of the most unique grave architecture and burial plot management in the entire United States. We end the day with a visit to the St. Louis Cathedral, one of New Orleans’ most notable landmarks. Return to our hotel to get ready to transfer to our farewell dinner as we board a Mississippi steamboat for a cruise on the river including dinner and some great New Orleans music.

Day 4, Monday – December 5: Retreat Ends Or stay for Optional Tours & Special Dinner (B)
We will meet for an early final breakfast and Q & A panel lecture led by Kathleen McGowan.

For those who are staying on in New Orleans, there will be a special program that includes some unique city sightseeing tours followed by a dinner at the famous Commander’s Palace restaurant. (See details below.)

Your Retreat Includes:

• All Retreat activities including workshops, prayer circles and entry to exchange
• 4 days & 3 nights accommodations at the Hotel Montelone
• Hotel taxes
• Daily breakfast
• Dinner every night
• Wine with dinner
• Welcome Wine reception
• Coffee, tea & water breaks
• Complimentary guest room wifi
• Special afternoon New Orleans city tour
• Farewell Mississippi River cruise, dinner and music
• Optional Post-Retreat Tour

Optional Post Retreat Experience

Day 4, Monday – December 5: Unique City Sightseeing Tours and Dinner (D)
After the Closing Program, we have some free time to explore and do some shopping in town – or to have an optional tarot card reading! Lunch is on our own at any of the charming local restaurants near our hotel. Then in the afternoon, we start our walking tour of the Voodoo Queens of New Orleans. Here we will explore some of New Orleans’ fascinating voodoo history. We will stop at an authentic voodoo shop and see a voodoo temple; learn about the stories behind the final resting place of the notorious Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, and see her childhood homestead while learning about Congo Square. Next it’s time to learn about the “Bad Bitches of New Orleans” on a tour dedicated exclusively to the women who brought mayhem to the Crescent City. We learn about the women of the French Quarter who prove to be the most mysterious…and deadly; the high society ladies and murderous madams of the Gallatin Street brothels. Were they really “bad” or have they been demonized because they were strong women? All to be discussed! Back to the hotel to rest a bit before dinner at the famous Commander’s Palace restaurant. We board our coach to the restaurant nestled in the middle of the tree-lined Garden District, and has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893. Known for the award-winning quality of its food and its convivial atmosphere, the history of this famous restaurant offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ storied past and has been the go-to destination for Haute Creole cuisine and whimsical Louisiana charm. The winner of seven James Beard Foundation Awards, Commander’s Palace has evolved into a culinary legend. After dinner you can take the coach back to the hotel, or explore the city on your own.

Day 5, Tuesday – December 6:  Optional Tour Ends (B)
Your Optional tour ends after breakfast and you depart on your own to your next destination.

Your Optional Tour Includes:

• Accommodations at the Hotel Montelone
• Hotel taxes
• Breakfast
• Dinner at the Commander’s Palace restaurant
• Wine with dinner
• Two great sightseeing tours
• Optional Tarot Readings

Our Retreat Hotel – The Hotel Monteleone
Since 1866, the Hotel Monteleone has provided luxury and historic accommodations to travelers to New Orleans. It’s been said that the French Quarter begins in the lobby of the hotel as it sits majestically at the foot of Royal Street as well as the best point of departure for all things New Orleans. Not to be missed is the hotel’s Carousel bar and lounge, a long-time favorite New Orleans hot spot. This classic bar is the city’s only revolving bar that for decades has lured guests to take a spin from its 25-seat bright circus clad merry-go-round. It will be a perfect place to join your retreat friends for a drink.

How to get to your hotel
Note: Transfers to and from the hotel are not included in the retreat price. Transfer options to and from the hotel will be given with your confirmation.

Please read the Terms and Conditions for this program.

** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount off the credit card rate if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.

Special NO INTEREST- NO PAYMENTS* Plan!
Body Mind Spirit Journeys now offers a Credit Plan with PayPal (Click here for details)  

LAND ONLY PRICING

PRICE PER PERSON IN TWIN BEDDED ROOM
Per Person Double Occupancy: $1,999 by check or money order, $2,099 by credit card  

PRICE PER PERSON IN SINGLE ROOM
Per Person Single Occupancy: $2,499 by check or money order, $2,699 by credit card

MOTHER DAUGHTER DISCOUNT (sharing same room)
Total for Two Persons Double Occupancy: $3,850 by check or money order, $4,059 by credit card

SUPPLEMENTAL PRICE FOR OPTIONAL POST-RETREAT TOUR December 5-6
Per Person Double Occupancy: $599 by check or money order, $629 by credit card
Per Person Single Occupancy: $749 by check or money order, $789 by credit card

Pre/Post-Retreat Extra Night Accommodations (no meals):
Price Per Person in a double room: $109 ($115 credit card)
Price Per Person in a single room: $209 ($218 credit card)

SPECIAL PRICE FOR NEW ORLEANS AREA RESIDENTS (December 2-5)
For local residents of the New Orleans area who do not require accommodations and just want to attend the retreat, they can take a special program that includes the total Retreat day-by-day program with Kathleen PLUS dinner every night.
Price Per Person: $999 by check or money order, $1,059 by credit card
December 5 Optional Package available including breakfast on December 5 at $375, $395 by credit card

DEPOSIT
First Non-Refundable Payment – due as soon as possible in order to ensure a place on the tour as space is limited.
Per Person Double or Single accommodations: $500 by check or money order, $525 by credit card

Final Payment due on or before October 1, 2022.

Attendance is strictly limited due to hotel capacity and the event is expected to sell out. Early booking is highly recommended.

SOLD OUT – Waitlisting
You may register to be put on the waitlist, but please do not pay a deposit until space is confirmed

If you have already registered and would like to go to the payment page, Click Here.

Air Reservations
BMSJ is pleased to announce that it has opened an expanded Air Reservation Desk headed by Jeannifer Brady. Jen can be reached at 1-800-545-1300 or travelbyjeannifer@gmail.com. Jen will be happy to answer your questions and assist you in making your airline reservations to join your BMSJ Spiritual Journey

Travel Insurance
As travel professionals, Body Mind Spirit Journeys highly recommends travel insurance. Sometimes unexpected circumstances can arise. A sudden emergency just before or during your trip could spoil your vacation and deplete your resources.

We have recently seen some of our valued travelers lose not only their non-refundable deposits, but also their entire tour payments because they hoped they would not need trip cancellation insurance.

You should protect your trip investment and yourself in regards to health, property and trip payments. That is why we provide you with an easy way to contact BMSJ’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance. If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 1-800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.

BMSJ will be sending you additional details and a brochure with your confirmation on trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

*No Payments + No Interest if paid in full in 6 months. Click here for details.

Photo Credits:

Saint Mary Magdalen Holding a Crucifix by Spinello Aretino, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bourbon Street French Quarter: No machine-readable author provided. Jan Kronsell assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
St Louis Cathedral: Royalpt78, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons