Saint Andrew’s Abbey

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

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 […]

Serenity is a universal need, though often elusive in our fast-paced, tension-filled lives. While the world's demands create stress and chaos, serenity offers a path toward peace, grounding us in a state of calm that nurtures our deepest sense of well-being. Far more than the absence of conflict, serenity is a practice that leads us […]

This weekend is Palm Sunday. The Gospel account is that of Luke. Luke’s narration of the Passion of Christ is a rich source for our study. In our first session we’ll examine the crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus. During the second session we’ll discuss His Resurrection and the Emmaus Road account, culminating in the […]

The Sacred Triduum is the holiest time of the Church's liturgical cycle. You are invited to share the monastic experience of this sacred liturgy, beginning on Holy Thursday and concluding on Easter Sunday. (Since this time is rooted in silence and reflection, we ask that you plan to arrive in sufficient time to be settled […]

This retreat is open to artists at all levels, including beginners. Photographers, sculptors, and writers are also welcome to experience the colors and beauty of the high desert in the monastery setting. Escape the stress of daily life while deepening a spiritual vision in your art. (A materials list will be provided.)   Presenter: GREGORY […]

Fathers are becoming increasingly marginalized in our culture. Yet fathers are essential to their children and foundational to a stable home. A father allows his children to experience the world without fear, and they are called upon to cultivate courage. Our presenter is a mother to five adult children and a grandmother to eleven. She was raised […]

This retreat will provide a general overview of Saint Hildegard’s life. Still, it will focus especially on her music, particularly through studying her viriditas, or ‘greenness’ concept, and its influence on her music. In addition to listening to some of her music, there will be an opportunity to discuss liturgy and chant. Finally, we will form […]

...for us, for our people, and for our world.  The centerpiece for this retreat will be Pope Francis' book Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future. (PRIESTS ONLY RETREAT)   Presenter: FR. JOSEPH BRENNAN has been a monk of Valyermo since 1994 after having served as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of […]

Lectio divina, the ancient Christian art of praying the scriptures, allows the Bible, the Word of God, to become a means of union with God. In other words, through lectio divina, reading sacred scripture becomes the gateway to contemplative prayer. In this workshop, ancient and modern approaches to the practice of lectio divina and its application […]

Designed for the beginner and offered during Lent, this Quiet Day will explore the history and purpose of Contemplative prayer practices, how contemplative prayer differs from meditation, what contemplative prayer is and isn’t, and offers the space to actually practice several contemplative prayer modalities. An extrovert by nature, Lisa discovered the value of contemplative practices […]

This preached retreat is for the oblates of St. Andrew's Abbey or anyone interested in Benedictine spirituality. The focus is the Rule of St. Benedict and the liturgy of Pentecost.   Presenters: Monks of Valyermo   *If the event is listed as sold out please call us at 661-944-2178 for real time availability and waiting […]