In ancient and modern monastic spirituality the chanting of psalms is believed to have the power of both purifying the soul and enabling the Christian to perceive God’s inner purposes (“logoi”) embedded within history and creation. In this workshop the monastic tradition of psalmody will be studied and practiced by participants in order to help […]

A retreat for Oblates of St. Benedict, Christians longing for contemplative prayer and monastic liturgy, and all who seek to deepen their spiritual life through reflections on silence and solitude. How ordinary people can intentionally ‘make room for God’ and incorporate the time-honored practices of silence and solitude within our busy lives. How do we […]

On this first weekend of Advent we will offer a potpourri of monastic insights, enabling participants to experience the Advent season as a time rooted in scripture, history, art, music, and liturgy.

“Adviento significa venida.” Es el tiempo en que los cristianos nos preparamos para la venida del Señor. Se dice que el Antiguo Testamento fue el gran tiempo de espera y después de esa espera de muchos siglos, Cristo se manifestó en toda su gloria dándonos la oportunidad de una nueva vida en el Espíritu. En […]

Christian monasticism was almost extinguished during the secularizing frenzy of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars that followed. Beginning in the early nineteenth century men and women rediscovered the value and beauty of the monastic tradition and created new Benedictine congregations that revived the monastic practice of evangelization in a variety of new forms. […]

On the Solemnity of Christmas we first contemplate the mystery of the Word becoming Flesh. The liturgical celebration at the Abbey starts with First Vespers on Christmas Eve and ends with Night Prayer on Christmas Day.

In the early sixth century the monk we have come to know as “Benedict” wrote a rule for monasteries that has been in continuous use for more than fifteen hundred years. Part of the reason for the success of the Benedictine Rule is its author’s willingness to gently adapt and improve existing ascetical and spiritual […]

In His Divine Providence, God made provision for beginnings in our lives.  Birthdays, anniversaries, seasons, cycles – all examples of beginnings.  The month of January brings with it the opportunity to begin again. Perhaps it was a year of triumphs and milestones.  Regardless of how the year played out, it is important not to move […]

No matter how challenging or dark the path may be before us, God’s promise of the Good and the Light lays just ahead. With a blessed heart and sharp eye, we can move along the guiding signs. Presenter: John West, Obl.OSB

During these days of silence at the monastery, the whole Church begins the sacred season of Lent. Short reflections will be offered daily with a special emphasis on the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The desert silence and the liturgies of the monastery will provide an atmosphere conducive to deep reflection. This […]

The way we do deal with our suffering is the most important determinant of the quality of our lives. It is difficult to learn to deal with suffering in a way that benefits and heals us, as opposed to damaging or even destroying us. This retreat will integrate psychological and spiritual ideas in an examination […]

La Cuaresma es el tiempo litúrgico de conversión, que la Iglesia marca para prepararnos a la gran fiesta de la Pascua. Es tiempo para arrepentirnos de nuestros pecados y de cambiar algo dentro nosotros para ser mejores y poder vivir más cerca de Cristo. En la Cuaresma, Cristo nos invita a cambiar de vida. La […]