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Aug 21, 2025
Faith&middot Life&middot Wine and Chocolate

Attend the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat!

You're invited to attend The 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat Saturday, November 15, 2025

This post contains affiliate or associate links with several businesses (which means if you shop through the links, I earn a small commission). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat will take place at The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal!

THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL SHRINE

This Shrine has had a great role in the journey of my life AND in the journey of this blog!

Don’t want to read, just want to register?

Venmo $ to @AmyGouldBrooks

Don’t want to use Venmo? Email me at prayerwinechocolate@gmail.com

Subject line Retreat Registration

Registration is $150.00 per person

Your registration will include:

A light breakfast with your choice of coffee, tea, and/or water.

A lunch that will probably serve as your dinner :). I like to opt for the hot entrees and salad and some more choices so you don’t have to go home and cook after!

2 glasses of wine – I will have lots of choices

Snacks and dessert.

A tour of some new spaces within the Basilica Shrine

Extra hours at the Basilica Shrine of the Miraculous Medal (with security on duty)
and more 😉

When I first began Prayer Wine Chocolate, I was so excited to share a Catholic Christmas gift guide – so I went to the Miraculous Medal Shrine asking them to partner with me! I found myself meeting with the President of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, and he asked me if I was just going to write one article that would feature their Shrine and Gift shop.

That question inspired me and motivated me. From that question, I ended up writing an article that I am pretty sure went viral for ChurchPop!

Five Reasons Why I Wear a Miraculous Medal – and Maybe You Should Too

Later, I wrote another article about why I love to visit this holy place. Here is that one (and I hope it convinces you to register for this year’s retreat!!!)

Eight Reasons Why I Love the The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine

I hope we have a large number attend this year! I’m so excited to share a day of prayer, grace and fellowship with you!

Here are some details:

When is the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat?

The 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat will take place Saturday, November 15, 2025

PRAYER WINE CHOCOLATE RETREAT 2025
10:00 AM MEET AT THE SHRINE
10:30 AM OUTDOOR ROSARY WALK
11:00 CONFESSIONS
2:00 MASS

The Retreat is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am and will end at 4:00 pm.

The whole Retreat Day will take place at the

Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

500 E. Chelten Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19144*

Here’s a snapshot:

Saturday, November 15, 2025

The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

10:00 am: Arrival, coffee, danish, donuts, chat with others, etc.

10:30 am: Rosary walk: Saint Vincent’s Rosary Walk

St. Vincent’s Rosary Walk is an outdoor sacred space at the Basilica Shrine. We will pray the Rosary while we walk along this beautiful prayer garden!

11:00 am – 12:00 noon

Opportunity to go to Confession; self-guided tour of the shrine; visit the gift shop; socialize with others; and/or choose to pray quietly.

12:00 noon: Novena prayers and Mass

Novena and Mass

1:00 pm: Lunch

Lunch provided by Village Caterers

Salad, hot entree, snacks and a choice of a variety of beverages (more information provided once you register)

1:45 pm: Presentation and tour by Program Director Lynda D’Angelo

We will learn about Saint Catherine Laboure’ and the history of the Miraculous Medal and how this shrine came to be . . . lots to learn and see here!

WOMEN ENJOYING LUNCH AT A PREVIOUS PRAYER WINE CHOCOLATE RETREAT

2:30 pm Wine tasting/pairing and Art Museum visit

Let’s pop a few corks and pair some wine and chocolate!

On the retreat day, you will hear about new, exciting happenings within the Prayer Wine Chocolate community! Make new friends and catch up with old ones.

We will also get to explore some new spaces!

The Art Museum of The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is a great experience for both Marian devotees and art aficionados. The museum contains more than 400 pieces of magnificent Marian and religious art, ranging in date, technique, origin, and subject. One of the largest collections of Marian artwork in one location, the Art Museum at The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is for anyone who admires stunning artwork and the myriad artistry of devotion to Mary.

3:45 pm Concluding Prayer and Departure

PHOTO OF THE INSIDE OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL SHRINE IN PHILADELPHIA

Register for the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat today!!

Early bird registration is CLOSED!!!

REGISTER TODAY FOR $150.00 we might sell out sooner than expected!

Save your spot today! Send your payment to Amy Brooks on Venmo (@AmyGouldBrooks)

If you prefer to pay via PayPal, send me an email and I will send you an invoice!

Email me at catholicinfluencers@gmail.com Subject line: RETREAT

Registration between September 13th and October 1st will be $150.00

Registration after October 1st is $160.00

PHOTO OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL SHRINE FROM THE PARKING LOT

Exciting News

Lots of new things happening at the Basilica Shrine AND with Prayer Wine Chocolate! I can’t wait to see you so you can learn more!!!

*If you will be attending from another state or plan on staying overnight to be closer in the morning, please contact me before reserving a place to stay! I am from the area and familiar with it, I will help you find a place to stay!

Through the years people have traveled for this one day retreat and that just makes my heart jump for JOY! I’ve been able to pray and enjoy the company with friends from Ohio, North Carolina, New York and New England! I want to encourage you to attend, no matter where you live!

What should you do next?

Register! Email me at Prayerwinechocolate@gmail.com and use the subject line RETREAT. Pay via Venmo or request an invoice from PayPal.

Register before October 1, 2025 for just $150.00

Tell your friends! Share this post and invite them!

Many of the swag bag donations come from my friends over at Catholics Online! Please say a prayer for them and their businesses, and if you are looking for Catholic gifts, shop here!

Catholic Gift ideas
CATHOLICINFLUENCERS.COM

Shop from my Catholic friends here! Shop Catholic

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Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

I’m Amy Brooks, I connect Catholics! Make Catholic friends that love a GNO! Attend a retreat, start a parish group! Author of Be Yourself Journals 🙂

Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls! I’m sti Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls!
I’m still so excited and grateful I was given the opportunity to write this book!!!
#catholicmom #catholicsonline #catholicchristian #catholic 
Thank you @whispersofloveandfaith Tammi for your recent review!!

“ I bought one of Amy’s journals for my daughter when she was 12. Each page encourages them to be the best version of themselves. I love how this journal appeals to both the introvert/extrovert and the artistic/non-artistic. There’s so much for everyone in this journal.”
This was a team effort! 👍🫶🏼 Thanks to my daughter This was a team effort! 👍🫶🏼
Thanks to my daughter for helping me make this reel!

#Catholicsonline #momlife #tweenbooks #author
Life has been madness 🌪️ 🤡 but I’m so happy and gr Life has been madness 🌪️ 🤡 but I’m so happy and grateful for the moments that slip in between.
Happy Sunday!
Merry Advent!
God bless you!

#Catholicblog #Catholic #catholicsofinstagram #catholiccontent
Getting to know God better and learning who you ar Getting to know God better and learning who you are in His eyes can be fun and exciting!

The Be Yourself Journals offer a guide that help 9 to 13 year olds learn introspection and personal prayer.

Order from me this week and get a free surprise gift!
Also available on Amazon and other online bookstores!

Up level this gift by adding gel pens, washi tape and other fun stationary for girls… for boys, include a fidget pen!

Let me know if you need the link or if you have questions!

If you bought one before, share your thoughts in the comments so others can read them!

Thank you for your support!

#Catholicgift #Catholicgifts
Why is it that girls can be SO MEAN!??? When I was Why is it that girls can be SO MEAN!???
When I was a “tween” I longed to fit in with the other girls that shared my interests… but, I was not welcomed.

It hurt. It hurt a lot.

I wondered why… why did they not want to be my friend?
Why wasn’t I considered “cool”?

I asked my mom… and her advice to me was, “Just Be Yourself “.

I know she wanted to help me… but I wish she not only said that, but handed me this book too.

That is why I wrote it.

God DOES have plans and talents unique to every person… but when we are young we are still discovering His call for us.

My Catholic faith saved me.

The wisdom of Our Lord and the Saints that surrendered their lives to Him are so helpful.

And the best part… learning this can be enjoyable!!!
If you know a young girl around the ages of 10 to 13 who is struggling… give them this book!

Buy it from me this week and I’ll mail it with a sticker and a holy card!

I highly recommend you add fun pens, markers, washi tape and other things found in a journal kit!
She’ll love it… and you will too!

Move over mean girls… our God is bigger than that drama!

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One person will WIN all of these and more! Enter t One person will WIN all of these and more! Enter to win NOW! Contest ends Dec.1

Comment ME if you want the link!!!

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When I was a little girl, I vaguely remember a sil When I was a little girl, I vaguely remember a silver and blue medal fastened to my school uniform with a pin. My mom put that medal on my uniform. I don’t remember asking any questions, but I still think that blue was so pretty.
Fast forward about 9 years, and another memory surfaces… my Dad took our family to a church in a neighborhood we had to drive to. I remember parking across the street and entering the front doors of the @miraculousmedal Shrine. I recall the pads of paper placed on the marble in front of the different statues. These little memo 📝 pads were notes to God, asking Our Lady to intercede for us. I loved that I could write an intention but that one of the suggestions was “for a Catholic boyfriend” I was 15, I checked that box.
But honestly, I wasn’t a “Mary” person when it came to prayer.
Any personal prayer addressed Jesus or God.
10 years later my friend’s Mom gave me a Miraculous Medal keychain. I put it on my keys and life went on…

And over a decade later… it was that shrine I went to with this big idea about a Catholic gift guide and a giveaway.

But confession, many times in between those years each and every time I was going through something hard,I visited that place.
I poured my hearts desires on those little memo papers.
I asked Our Blessed Mother to pray for me.
I begged God to answer my prayers.

And He did.

Without me knowing the details of the Miraculous Medal.
But that time I went in there with the gift guide and giveaway idea… I was asked if I was only going to write one blog post.

That question inspired a second.
I researched the Miraculous Medal and read that Our Lady promised graces, especially to those who wore it around their neck.

More graces? Yes please 

I wrote a post…” 5 Reasons Why I wear a Miraculous Medal and maybe You Should Too”.
Church Pop @churchpop asked if they could publish it.
It went viral… at least viral for me.

And a few weeks ago, I brought about 30 women there for a retreat.

I didn’t pursue Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal… I pursued her Son.
My pursuit was sloppy.
Like any mother, she couldn’t resist helping me a little.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you
No one is EVER beyond God’s abundant love, generos No one is EVER beyond God’s abundant love, generosity and power.

#Hope #yearofhope #empireofhope #Godismerciful
10 years!!!!! #prayerwinechocolate #prayerwarrior 10 years!!!!!

#prayerwinechocolate #prayerwarriors #catholicsonline
Here it is!!! The 2025 Catholic Stocking Stuffers Here it is!!! The 2025 Catholic Stocking Stuffers Gift Guide!!!
Hope you find a gift that will raise a h art closer to Christ and find joy in sharing THE GOOD NEWS!!!

#Catholicgift #Catholicgifts
I’m so excited!!!! Who wants to see the whole list I’m so excited!!!!
Who wants to see the whole list ASAP!!

Comment “stocking”!!! 

Special appearances by @heavenshandmaid and @novenaroseco 

#Christmaslist #Christmascatalog #Advent #stockingstuffers #Catholicwoman #Catholicman #coffeeandJesus #CatholicsOnline
“This was the BEST RETREAT I have ever been to!” “This was the BEST RETREAT I have ever been to!” 

I forgot to create a feedback paper again, but thankfully one of the attendees made sure to tell me this before she left! Someone else told me later they overheard the same words in the ladies room!
Woohooo!!! I am so happy and grateful!!!

If you missed it, please know I have created resources for you so that you can make one of these events happen in your community!

I will be thanking the many sponsors of the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat all week… but let me give a few shout outs now!

@dr.monique.ruberu bought the chocolate candy we enjoyed with the wine!

Raina from @giveloveandblessings provided each attendee with a beautiful Rosary bracelet.

The Basilica Shrine of the Miraculous Medal @miraculousmedal provided a spectacular day for all of us. I am so happy this year’s retreat day was at this incredibly special and holy place.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you!

#Catholicretreat #Catholicpilgrimage #Catholicmom #Trustandhope #Catholicwomen
I did not plan to start a ministry that included a I did not plan to start a ministry that included an annual retreat…
But wow, God is so good!

The friends I have made and met through this work are such a blessing!!!

I’m sure glad you’re here reading this!

I’m so grateful for this mission… to foster, encourage and nurture friendships that put faith first.

Join me in making praying with friends just as normal as drinking wine with friends!
 
Let’s joyfully invite others to see the love God has for each one of us.
 
The adventure is just beginning!
@craftymom714 @lotvministry 

#trustandhope #prayerwinechocolate #Catholic
As a busy Catholic mom, I want to do as much as I As a busy Catholic mom, I want to do as much as I can to promote a culture of life…

Here’s one thing I can definitely fit into my schedule!
Follow  @sevenweekscoffee and keep loving them both ❤️❤️

#prolife #lovethemboth #Catholic #Adoptivefamily #JesusandCoffee
BACK IN STOCK!!!! AND… anyone who orders a Journal BACK IN STOCK!!!! AND… anyone who orders a Journal from me this weekend will get a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas catalog mailed with the Be Yourself Journal!!! 

This book is a fantastic gift for girls… ages 8 to 15!

Remember to give one when you are donating a toy this year too! If you pick a girl in this age range, add some gel pens and stickers and it’s the perfect gift!!

Amazon has it on sale now too!
It is TRULY a great gift!!!

Who wants one!??? I’ll put the link in my bio and in my stories!

#BeYourself #tweengirl #Middleschool #girlgifts #Catholic #Christian #Catholicfamily #Faithandfun #stayprayedup #slambook #genx
WIN a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog!! I WIN a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog!!
I want to send 5 of you this catalog through the good old fashioned mail!

Enter to win:

Follow @catholicsonline and @prayerwinechocolate 

Tag 3 friends!

That’s it! Do this by Sunday, November 8, 2025 and I will choose 5 winners!
Make sure your settings allow me to message you! 

The fine print:
-You must be 18 or older and have a U.S. mailing address.
-The deadline is Sunday, November 9,2025
~ This is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram 

#CreativeCatholic #Catholicgift #Catholicmom #Catholic #RomanCatholic #manyhailmarysatatime #Catholicgifts #stayprayedup
If we want to bring more of our loved ones back to If we want to bring more of our loved ones back to church… we need to invite them.

If we want our parish’s to have stronger communities, we need to meet the busy women where they are… and encourage faith filled friendships.

Praying the Rosary with others is powerful and life changing.
Let’s do this!
Who wants the link to learn more? Comment PARISH if you want more information!

#prayerwinechocolate #trustandhope #heartofthehome #Catholicparish #DRE #OCIA #Catholicfriends #catholicfellowship #Catholicwomen #Praytogether #PraytheRosary #faithandfriendship
October 2025…quickest month ever!!!! October 2025…quickest month ever!!!!
Wait for it. Discuss ⬇️ #EucharisticAdoration Wait for it.
Discuss ⬇️

#EucharisticAdoration
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