Newborn Retreat in Italy
The Sanctuary of La Verna is a sacred site nestled in the heart of the Casentino Forest National Park in the beautiful Apennine mountain range in Tuscany. This sanctuary is famous for being the site of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi in 1224. Situated in the forest, the Sanctuary of La Verna offers visitors breathtaking views and a deep connection with nature. The surrounding mountains, including Monte Penna, offer picturesque trails and unforgettable hiking opportunities.
The mountain, covered by a forest of beech and fir trees, is visible from the upper Tiber Valley, and has an unmistakable shape with its peak (1283 m) cut sheer into three parts. The large Sanctuary complex, within its massive and articulated architecture, preserves numerous treasures of spirituality, art, culture and history, a perfect place to experience a deep peace and a meditative retreat.
The Newborn retreat held in the sacred sanctuary of La Verna promises to offer serenity and spirituality while learning about protecting the newborn.
Newborn Retreat in Italy
June 30 to July 7, 2025
Protecting the Newborn
A Montessori Retreat provided for a small group - lodging and meals included
maximum 9 participants
Location: La Verna Sanctuary in Arezzo Province, Tuscany Italy
How to get there
After you arrive in Rome, take a train to Arezzo in Tuscany (1 to 3 hour train ride). The Retreat staff can organize your transfer on Monday June 30 to the Sanctuary from the Arezzo train station (one hour). To arrive there independently, take a train from Arezzo to Bibbiena (45 minutes) and a bus to Chiusi della Verna (about 50 minutes) where you can get off at a stop at the Sanctuary.
Google Maps link https://maps.app.goo.gl/1E7PsiLdE2SVrSec7
Application process
preference given to those who have taken the Basic Needs of Babies workshop
Cost
€ 1150: Lodging and 3 meals per day included in the Newborn Retreat fee
Transportation for getting to and from the Arezzo train station (not included)
Newborn Retreat Facilitator Karin Slabaugh
As an independent researcher for the history of Montessori birth to three in Italy, Karin Slabaugh's mission is to inspire others to take the newborn work into the future. Karin has an AMI diploma for 0-3 and a Masters degree in education. In 2012, she studied with Grazia Honegger Fresco (1929-2020) in her last course for 0-3. Karin moved to Italy in 2016 to develop a Montessori course for public healthcare nurse midwives. Her work gives continuity to the teachings on birth to three that Adele Costa Gnocchi and Maria Montessori passed on through Grazia Honegger Fresco. Karin continues to work on projects in Italy with Adele Costa Gnocchi's students who specialized in the care of the newborn.
Newborn Retreat program
The Retreat is inspired by the Montessori Newborn specialization as developed by Adele Costa Gnocchi and Anna Gambacurta Di Palermo between 1947 and 2011. Karin met Anna in 2010 at the Montessori Birth Center in Rome and has continued to study with those Anna taught. This unique Retreat experience will be held at the Sanctuary where Saint Francis prayed and meditated in nature, an especially peaceful and perfect environment to learn together about protecting the Spiritual Embryo that Maria Montessori wrote and spoke about. There will be dedicated time to integrate the information from our daily sessions, as well as time to deepen relationships between participants and spend time in contemplation and spiritual practice.
Dates for the 2025 Retreat
Arrive on Monday June 30
Depart on Monday July 7
Tuesday through Sunday - morning and afternoon sessions on: working with new moms in a Montessori way; the basic needs of newborns and new mothers; the sensitive period of relationship and orientation; the different cries and forms of communications; the history of the newborn Montessori programs in Rome; sensitizing ourselves to newborns; practical work and material making.
To apply for the retreat please send an email to