I N F O R M A T I O N
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- Building project: the Final Piece
P U B L I C A T I O N S
- The Abbey Letter
- Singing God's Praises
- The Abbey Calendar
- Born In The Darkest Time Of Year
- Tools For Peace
- Order Abbey publications online
A R T I C L E S
- St. Gregory's Abbey and Benedictine Monasticism
- The Rule of St. Benedict as a Guide to Catholicity
- A Review of Two Recent Books on the Rule of St. Benedict
C O N T A C T S
The community welcomes guests who want to visit us for a time in order to share in our life of worship and recollection. We ask only that each guest be willing and able to help preserve the monastic environment. The normal length of a visit is from two days to one week. A longer visit must be specially arranged with the guestmaster and community.
Both
St. Anthony's and St. Denys' guesthouses are located across the lawn
from the monastery building. Generally, groups of five or more people
stay in St. Denys' and prepare their own meals. So do smaller groups
and individuals whose visit to the Abbey will involve extensive
conversation, or who can't share the community's meals. Individual
retreatants, or small, quiet groups of up to four stay at St. Anthony's
and share the monks' own meals in the refectory. There is also a guest
cottage, St. Benedict's, which is a little less than half a mile away
from the main buildings. This house can be used for families or groups
or individuals on solitary retreats.
The community's diet is to eat what is set before us. Supper is our light meal of the day; our main meal is at noon. Occasionally a guest's medical condition will require a special diet. The kitchen can usually provide meals for these guests, if we know in advance what the dietary requirements are. In other cases, individuals who aren't sharing the normal meals of the community as served will stay in St. Denys' or St. Benedict's and prepare their own meals. The kitchens in both St. Denys' and St. Benedict's are fully equipped with appliances and utensils. Guests are welcome at all services in the Abbey Church and are expected at the Eucharist and Vespers each day. The library provides material for reading on religious subjects and other areas of interest. The Abbey's grounds offer room for walks when the weather permits. Sacramental Confession is available, and we try to arrange an individual conference if a guest requests it.
Reservations should be made as far in advance as is practical. Since many people are free to come only on weekends, it is helpful for those free on weekdays to try and come then. If there is a change of plans so that one cannot come for a time which has been reserved, it is important to notify the guestmaster as soon as possible so that we can offer that space to some other guest who may wish to come.
Incoming
guests are asked not to arrive at the monastery after 8 p.m., when the
Greater Silence begins. If a late arrival is unavoidable, special
notice should be given the guestmaster, so that instructions for
arrival can be given. Those coming by automobile should let us know
their time of arrival, especially guests who will be eating in the
refectory, since the cook plans the number of servings for each meal.
Guests driving from the Chicago area or, during the summer, from parts
of Indiana, will have to allow an extra hour in timing their arrival;
we are in the Eastern Time Zone, and we do observe Daylight Saving
Time. Parking is available behind the two guesthouses.
We can conveniently meet guests who arrive by bus, rail, or air in Kalamazoo, provided we are given the arrival time in advance.
Guests will find that casual clothes are the most practical and comfortable at the Abbey. Rooms in the guesthouses are furnished with towels and linens, although different arrangements often need to be made for large groups.
There is no set fee or suggested donation for a guest stay. Any amount guests want to give the Abbey will be gratefully accepted; anything above $30.00 per day per person is tax deductible under federal law.
GroupsWeekend retreats for groups can be scheduled from September through May. We ask that one member of the group be the retreat negotiator with the guestmaster and take responsibility for organizing the group that will be coming. The maximum number for a retreat is 10 people who can be placed in five rooms.
Our capability of furnishing retreat leaders varies with the community's resources at the time, but we will arrange for the group to have one meeting with a monk if the group wishes it.
Address regular mail to:
Guest Department
St. Gregory's Abbey
56500 Abbey Road
Three Rivers, MI 49093-9595
or e-mail to: guestmaster@saintgregorysthreerivers.org