The chaos of striving.
The peace of surrender.

The Retreat

There's nothing you need to do.

But when you understand it, you can truly feel connected to God.

Ao Nang Sanctuary is a Catholic retreat at St. Agnes Church in Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand. It is led by Father Peter Waranyu — a Stigmatine priest with 28 years of experience — and grounded in The Examen of Surrender, a daily prayer practice that teaches you to stop trying and start receiving.

You will learn to pray for fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen minutes in the evening. Not more. Not harder. A specific, simple practice drawn from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, adapted for people whose minds are too loud to reach God through striving alone.

Most retreats give you a program. We give you silence, the sacraments, one-on-one time with a priest who knows how to listen, and a practice you will carry home with you.

This retreat is for Catholics. It is also for people who are not Catholic at all. It is for people whose faith is working well and who want to go deeper. It is also for people whose faith has quietly stopped working, who are still going through the motions, and who cannot figure out why the prayers aren't reaching them.

If that last sentence describes you, you are exactly who this retreat was built for.

Daily Rhythm

A Day at Ao Nang Sanctuary

Silence is observed throughout except during the times listed below.

Your Guide

You work with Father Peter.

Father Peter Waranyu belongs to the Stigmatine Order and has been a priest for 28 years. He is the parish priest of St. Agnes Church in Ao Nang.

During your retreat, Father Peter will meet with you one-on-one. He will answer your questions and sit with you in whatever you are carrying. He knows how to listen.

Kip Hartley teaches the Examen prayer practice. But Father Peter is your spiritual director. He knows you and he knows how to guide you deeper into what God is doing in your life.

This is spiritual direction. Not a lecture.

The Stay

What You Get

Stay Length

3 days to 2 weeks. Most people stay 5–7 days. By day three, something shifts. By day seven, you've found your rhythm. Come for as long as you can.

Is This for You?

You might be exactly who we're waiting for.

• You're exhausted from trying.You've been managing your own life and it's not working. You need help. You need to let go.
• You're curious but nervous.You don't know what to expect. You're worried you're not "religious enough." That's okay. Everyone here feels that way.
• You want to pray, but don't know how.You've tried. You want your faith to reach you, not just happen around you. We teach you a simple way.
• You want silence but not loneliness.You need quiet. But you also need to know you're not alone. We're here. Father Peter is here.
• You're not Catholic (or not yet).This is for everyone. Spiritual seekers of any faith. We welcome you as you are.
• You want something real to take home.You're not looking for a vacation. You want to learn something that changes how you pray. We teach you.

The Book

The Examen of Surrender

By Kip Hartley

The retreat is built around the book. Kip teaches the practice each morning. You learn the Examen of Surrender — a 15-minute morning and 15-minute evening practice drawn from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, adapted for people whose minds are too loud for conventional contemplative practice.

You leave with the book and the practice. Something real to carry home.