About

Mission Statement

The Assisi Institute is dedicated to supporting individuals who seek a deeper relationship with God. Through the harmonious integration of Kriya Yoga and mystical Christianity, we nurture a sacred community of meditation, contemplative inquiry, and compassionate living.

Vision Statement

We offer a place of stillness, silence, and peace for those who seek a more intimate experience of God-communion—in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi and Paramahansa Yogananda.

Our Story

On July 1st, 2011, members of the Assisi community gathered in the temple on the third floor of the Blossom Business Center. After a time of silence, they reverently removed the photographs, paintings, and sculptures of the Kriya Gurus and other saints and sages and placed them on the floor in a large group. Circling around the holy objects, the group asked the gurus’ and saints’ blessings in simple, heartfelt words. The Assisi Institute was about to move to its new and permanent home, a historic building at 1400 North Winton Road. Built in 1960, this building had housed a convent, a chapel, and a school for troubled and pregnant young women. Later, it became Hope Lodge, a place sponsored by the American Cancer Society for people who needed a place to stay when they traveled to Rochester for cancer treatments. When Hope Lodge moved to a new location, the building sat empty for several years, until the grace of God and guru brought it to the attention of the Assisi community. On that day in 2011, the community reverently gathered up the photographs, sculptures, and sacred objects and drove them in a caravan to their new home, excited to breathe life into this old building and to further carry out Yogananda’s mission.

The community had come a long way from its beginning! Soon after Isha Das was given permission to teach Kriya Yoga by Roy Eugene Davis in 2003, he and his then-colleague Vickijo held the very first meditation service on Thursday, October 4, the feast day of St. Francis. They met in a spare room in the suite which housed their psychotherapy practices in the Blossom Business Complex on Blossom Road. Four people attended the service that very first week, and the following week they returned, bringing friends. Within a few years, the group had outgrown the space, so the newly-formed board of directors rented a much larger space in the same building, and The Assisi Institute became a not-for-profit corporation and began to offer retreats and workshops. As the community grew even more, it was providential that the perfect building at 1400 North Winton became available at the right time.

The Assisi Institute continues to grow. Today, the former school and convent houses a temple for our services. A thriving yoga program occupies our remodeled yoga studio. Some people have come to live as permanent residents of a spiritual community. Many individuals enjoy retreat days, workshops, and services throughout the year. Thriving practices for psychotherapy, massage, chiropractic, and other healing modalities occupy office space. Individuals and groups from all spiritual traditions come to enjoy the peace of this old building for a day, a week, or longer. Visitors consistently comment on the palpable feeling of peace that fills them as they enter the building. All are invited to come and experience this place of grace and peace.

Retreat Center

The Saint Clare Center for Contemplation is a retreat center housed at The Assisi Institute. The center’s facilities include a library and sitting room, a dining room, a large kitchen, and comfortable bedrooms, some with adjoining bathrooms. In addition to the retreat center’s facilities, The Assisi Institute features a meditation temple, fellowship space, a fellowship kitchen, a large multi-purpose room, and a gift shop. Bed and bath linens are provided for each guest. We do not offer meal service, but a well-equipped kitchen is available. Please note that we are a strictly vegetarian community, and no meat or fish are allowed anywhere in the building. Some individuals and groups prepare their own simple meals or bring in prepared food. We are happy to make catering suggestions or direct you to a wide variety of nearby restaurants. Visitor, day, and overnight rates are available. 

The Assisi Institute Fellowship Room  

Also available at The Assisi Institute is our friendly fellowship room and its small adjoining kitchen. This room, which features plenty of seating for up to 50, is perfect for workshops, classes, and day retreats. 

We would love to show you what we have to offer! For inquiries or to book a retreat, email Purnima at info@assisi-institute.org. For tours of our building, email Mary at maryemcfee@gmail.com.