Christine Valters Paintner

Christine Valters Paintner is an accomplished author, poet, and spiritual director who serves as the online Abbess at AbbeyoftheArts.com, a virtual monastery and global community. She has written numerous books on contemplative practice and creative expression, including three collections of poetry. Christine is also a Benedictine oblate, which means she has made a commitment to live her life in accordance with the Rule of St. Benedict, a guide for monastic living, while continuing to live and work in the world.

Christine's work is deeply rooted in monastic spirituality, particularly the Benedictine, desert, and Celtic lineages. She is an expert in Christian spiritual practices and the expressive arts, and she holds a PhD in Christian Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and is a Registered Expressive Arts Consultant and Educator (REACE) from the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA.org). Christine's professional background and expertise are well-represented in her writing and teaching, and she is known for her ability to integrate contemplative practice and creative expression in a way that is accessible and meaningful to a wide audience.

Christine and her husband, John, live in Galway, Ireland, where they lead a variety of online programs, including retreats, contemplative prayer services, and a book club. They also lead pilgrimages and retreats in Germany, Scotland, and Austria. Christine's commitment to her vocation as a monk in the world is evident in her daily life, as well as in her writing and teaching. She is a respected and beloved figure in the contemplative and spiritual communities, and her work has touched and inspired the lives of many people around the world.