Formation involves sharing in the work and prayer of the monastic community, and participating in daily classes, with time set aside for lectio divina. Classes include monastic history and spirituality; the Rule of St. Benedict; Constitutions of the Congregation; the Sacred Scriptures; the liturgy and canon law.
June 14, 2021
Dear Friends of the Abbey,
In accordance with the reopening guidelines of the State of California and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the Abbey is now open to guests. We are grateful to God for this blessing.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and patience.
Welcome Back!
Peace,
Abbot Damien & the monks of Valyermo
Saint Andrew's Abbey is a Benedictine monastery, a religious community of Roman Catholic men who are vowed to a life of constant conversion and witness to the Gospel. The monastic community was founded in China in 1929 by the Abbey of Sint Andries Zevenkerken in Brugge, Belgium. The monks prayed, taught, and worked in China until they were expelled by the communists in 1952. In 1955, the community relocated to Valyermo in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California. The Abbey is a sacred place where every day ordinary people can come away from their busy life to renew and refresh their body and spirit.
We'd love to stay in touch
The chapel will be closed for maintenance until further notice.
During this period, please visit the
Recorded Mass & Prayers page to pray with the monks. Thank you.
Prayer & Mass Intentions
Monastery General Fund Gift
Your gifts to the general fund of the monastery support more than 20 Abbey's Benedictine monks in their daily lives of prayer and ministry as well in their ongoing education, personal development, and pastoral outreach. The general fund also takes care of the Abbey's grounds and buildings, including the retreat center, youth center and chapel, ceramics studio, and books and gifts store. Additionally, the general fund advances the Abbey's information technology infrastructure and operations.
Charity Appeal
I invite you to join us in our mission, which is the mission of the Church, to help us care for the poor and destitute who find their way to the Abbey looking for assistance, God, and hope.Even the smallest gift will make a difference in the Abbey's daily service of ministering to Christ in the poor and healing souls.Be assured of our prayers for you.
Gifts in Memory
You may wish to make a gift in honor of or in memory of a loved one