Married Couples Retreat

A Science of Marriage: Practicing Micro-Moments of Daily Recommitment

Presented by Carol Bruess, PhD and President Brian Bruess, PhD

Our marriages are sacred—and they are also verbs. To flourish as a couple we must make daily, intentional choices: each a small but mighty recommitment to our sacred wedding-day promises. According to the best relationship science, micro-moments of turning toward our spouses and creating rituals of connection are among the most significant gifts we can give not only each other, but also our children and grandchildren—the people for whom we are modeling what loving, faithful marriages look like. In this retreat, relationship social scientist Dr. Carol Bruess – along with her spouse of 32 years, Dr. Brian Bruess – will not only share the contemporary, practical science of happy marriages as a sacred practice, they will help you and your spouse learn how investing just a few minutes a day is a profound, ongoing act of paying homage to your marriage vows and thus to each other and your families.

Registration Information

The retreat begins with supper at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and concludes after a morning conference and optional 10:30 Mass. Cost: double-occupancy room, $400; suite, $440; meals included.

Commuter option: There is a commuter option for couples not staying overnight. The suggested offering is $110, which includes all conferences and lunch on Saturday.

To register for this retreat, contact the Spiritual Life Office at 320-363-3929, email us at spirlife@osb.org, or register online.

Carol and Brian Bruess

Carol J. Bruess (rhymes with “peace”), PhD, is Professor Emerita of Communication and Family Studies at the University of St. Thomas, MN. For three more than three decades she has been a professor, researcher, author, social scientist, and speaker who is passionate about how humans create healthy relationships, marriages and families through micro-moments of interaction and ritual. Carol is particularly interested in the impact of the digital age on in-depth listening, robust conversations, and human empathy. The author of five books, she has a popular TEDx Talk “Are All Relationships Messy?” 

Brian J. Bruess, PhD, is president of both the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, working strategically to shape Strong Integration, grow enrollment, and shepherd a mission-centered strategic plan. Before coming to CSB and SJU, Brian served as the 8th president of St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Prior to taking the presidency at St. Norbert, Brian served for 22 years at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, most recently as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Brian earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College in 1990 and his master’s and doctoral degrees in higher education administration/research and evaluation from Ohio University.