Monastery News

Monastery Guesthouse Update: Renovations and Reservations

The Monastery Guesthouse is currently closed to overnight guests as we undergo a full remodeling of our commercial kitchen and substantial upgrades for Guesthouse accessibility. We hope to complete these renovations and welcome guests again by August 1, 2026.

Alongside the physical construction, our online reservation system is undergoing a complete redesign. At this time, we do not have a definitive launch date for the new system to go live. Until the redesigned system is active, we are unable to accept any reservations, process manual bookings, or hold specific dates. We kindly ask that you continue to monitor this News Page on our website for updates regarding when the system will be able to take reservations.

New Guesthouse Parameters

As you look forward to planning a future retreat, please be aware that we will be implementing a strict new scheduling structure and updated policies for all overnight guests once we reopen:

• Arrival Days: Arrivals are strictly limited to Tuesdays and Fridays.
• Tuesday Arrivals: Stays beginning on a Tuesday require a minimum of 2 nights and a maximum of 5 nights.
• Friday Arrivals: Stays beginning on a Friday are for exactly 2 nights.
• Departures: All guests must depart on Sundays. We no longer host overnight guests on Sunday or Monday nights.
• Capacity and Groups: Our maximum capacity is now limited to 10 guests. We are no longer able to host groups. All stays are for individual, self-directed retreats.

Day visitors are still welcome to visit the grounds, church and Giftshop during these months of construction, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Giftshop Hours

The Giftshop will be open to daytime visitors from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday.

On Sundays, the Conventual Mass is at 9:15 am, and the Giftshop will be open from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm.

The Giftshop is closed on Mondays and the first Saturday of each month, when the monks have a Desert (solitude) Day .

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of transition.

Abbot Christian and the monks

“Lord, Who conquered death, be constantly with Your Church and fill it with new life. Make us partakers of Your suffering so that we may also be partakers of Your glorious Resurrection. May Your peace and tranquility dwell constantly within our community, within our families and the entire human race. The Lord of all, forever.”

Prayers of Proclamation, from the Order of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Qurbana (Holy Mass)

Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!

Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!

Easter Homily of Saint John Chrysostom (circa 400 AD)

“For the few witnesses of the Resurrection, it was such an overwhelmingly real happening, every doubt was dispelled and they stepped forth before the world with an utterly new fearlessness in order to bear witness: Christ is truly risen!”

from “Jesus of Nazareth,” by Pope Benedict XVI

“Joy is a grace. Among Christians it is one that is not merely an adornment of life, but one that springs from its essence. Joy is the outcome of the truths we believe, the hopes we have, the love which God allows us to have for Him.”

from “Prayer In Faith,” by Mother Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ (1857-1914)

May the Resurrection of the Lord be a continual reminder of God’s infinite love for humankind and the promise of Eternal Life.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Christ is Risen! Rejoice all you nations! Christ is our peace!

A blessed and holy Paschaltide to all.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Easter Sunday Vigil Mass, Midnight Saturday, April 4th

Easter Sunday Day Mass April 5th, Mass at 11:00 am

All of the available Guesthouse reservations have been fully booked as of now, up to April 12, 2026.

Beginning April 12, 2026, the Monastery will begin a full remodeling of our commercial kitchen and a substantial upgrade for accessibility to the Guesthouse. The work is projected to last into the Summer of 2026. From April 12 until mid-Summer we will not be receiving overnight guests.

Before the Guesthouse reopens next Summer, there will be changes to the way guests make reservations for their self-registered retreats. With this in mind, for now, we are not accepting reservations.

As soon as construction work is finished and the planned changes to our reservation system are completed, the possibility of making reservations will resume. Thank you for your understanding.

Day visitors are still welcome during these months.

Abbot Christian and the monks.

Some might argue that an abbot shouldn’t have to cook the meals of the brethren. An abbot might reply that it is a relaxing and even enjoyable endeavor (a craft perhaps), and that the meals don’t have to be complicated or an all-day chore.

This abbot does cook, usually twice a week, and so far, so good, at least from the abbot’s point of view.

Bon appetit, as they say.

Greetings and prayers as we begin the Lenten journey toward Paschaltide.

Abbot Christian and the monks

As regularly happens, our Christmas cactus are blooming outside the Christmas season, but we don’t mind. They are always lovely and a pleasant sight along the way to church.

We are currently experiencing unseasonably warm weather, and still no sign of rain or snow. We keep praying for either or both. Perhaps a possibility in the day ahead. Oremus.

Greetings and prayers.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Actually, we don’t live on the coast, but the snow has mostly melted. Forest Service Road 151 leading to the Monastery is dry, so day visitors are welcome once again.

In today’s photo, Brother Jude is busy making our “Abbot’s Blend” cloister cologne, available in our Giftshop.

Temperatures are chilly, but we are staying well and of course our buildings and living quarters are heated. The sunny skies are a welcome sight as well.

Be assured of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you.

Abbot Christian and the monks

We have gotten some inches of snow and we are very grateful! Until now it has been a dry Winter.

Along with the beauty, comes icy and slippery walkways, paths and steps. At this time, in the interest of safety, and until some change in the weather, we are not receiving visitors or pilgrims until further notice. Best advice at this time in many parts of the nation: stay indoors! We plan to do so too!

Prayers and greetings to all.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Monastery Guesthouse Update: Renovations and Reservations

The Monastery Guesthouse is currently closed to overnight guests as we undergo a full remodeling of our commercial kitchen and substantial upgrades for Guesthouse accessibility. We hope to complete these renovations and welcome guests again by August 1, 2026.

Alongside the physical construction, our online reservation system is undergoing a complete redesign. At this time, we do not have a definitive launch date for the new system to go live. Until the redesigned system is active, we are unable to accept any reservations, process manual bookings, or hold specific dates. We kindly ask that you continue to monitor this website for updates regarding when the system will be able to take reservations.

New Guesthouse Parameters

As you look forward to planning a future retreat, please be aware that we will be implementing a strict new scheduling structure and updated policies for all overnight guests once we reopen:

• Arrival Days: Arrivals are strictly limited to Tuesdays and Fridays.
• Tuesday Arrivals: Stays beginning on a Tuesday require a minimum of 2 nights and a maximum of 5 nights.
• Friday Arrivals: Stays beginning on a Friday are for exactly 2 nights.
• Departures: All guests must depart on Sundays. We no longer host overnight guests on Sunday or Monday nights.
• Capacity and Groups: Our maximum capacity is now limited to 10 guests. We are no longer able to host groups. All stays are for individual, self-directed retreats.

Day visitors are still welcome to visit the grounds, chapel, and gift shop during these months of construction.

Giftshop Hours

The Giftshop will be open to daytime visitors from 09:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:00pm to 3:30pm Tuesday-Saturday.

On Sundays, the Conventual Mass is at 9:15 am and the Giftshop will be open from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm.

The Gifsthop is closed on Mondays and during certain monastic observances.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time of transition.

Abbot Christian and the monks

o.

On January 1st we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, the beginning of a new civil year 2026 and the World Day of Peace.

Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to all of good will!

A Blessed and Happy New Year 2026!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you!

Abbot Christian and the monks