If you or a loved one has struggled after experiencing trauma, you are not alone. Some 70% of people worldwide experience at least one traumatic event during their lifetime.
Many Catholics recovering from trauma would appreciate a way to integrate their faith with their healing journey. It turns out that a new healing center might be just what they are looking for.
Our Lady's Healing Center has opened its doors in Seadrift, Texas, and it’s the first comprehensive Catholic healing facility of its kind in the United States.
Nestled on 140 beautiful acres along the Texas coastline, this one-of-a-kind center offers a 12-month healing program, beginning with a residential retreat and followed by extensive online support for the following year.
Co-founders Ralph and Linda Schmidt established the Center with a clear mission to help people dealing with trauma and suffering while breaking down stigmas associated with seeking help. Operating within the Diocese of Victoria, they've created a space where emotional and spiritual wounds can be healed through Catholic accompaniment.
Millions of people worldwide experience traumatic events during their lifetime, ranging from sickness and loss to abuse and addiction. Our Lady's Healing Center responds to this widespread need with a structured path toward recovery and spiritual restoration.
What to expect
If you’re interested in the program for yourself or a loved one, here’s what you can expect.
Participants begin their journey with an immersive week-long retreat, with separate programs tailored for men and women, ages 18 and older. The retreat experience is built upon four fundamental pillars: Catholic tradition, sacraments, prayer, and thoughtful reflection. Daily life at the Center includes Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, and Confession, complemented by personal instruction and guided prayer from experienced teams.
Participants enjoy nourishing gourmet meals in surroundings designed to refresh mind, body, and spirit. Images of saints and tributes to Our Lady under the title Stella Maris (“Star of the Sea”) create an atmosphere of divine presence.
The comprehensive 12-month program is available for $3,200 per participant, covering initial retreat costs, ongoing support, and personalized accompaniment throughout the healing process. A payment plan is available to make the program as accessible as possible to all. This destination welcomes Catholics from around the world who are seeking Christ-centered healing in community.
The Center works closely with the local bishop, Bishop Brendan J. Cahill of the Diocese of Victoria, for spiritual guidance and to ensure regular access to the Sacraments for retreat participants. He strongly endorsed their work, saying in an interview:
The Catholic Church is a continuation of the ministry of Christ in the world, and that's what we've been given with our sacramental life. Through the sacraments, we've been claimed by Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives, and He sustains and nourishes us for the journey. So the integration of the Sacraments into the healing process is something really special about this place.
The general manager of the Center, Jan Whitten, shared how she has seen the program transform the lives of participants:
Our Lady's Healing Center reflects God’s grace in helping people embrace the true healing power of Jesus. The St. Ignatius-based program is a road map to discovering the joy God has available for every broken soul.
For more information about Our Lady's Healing Center and its programs, contact the Diocese of Victoria or explore the center's website.
