Abbey of Gethsemani

Category: Monastery

Address: 3642 Monks Rd, Trappist, KY 40051, USA

Phone: +15025493117

Opening hours

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 9AM–5PM

Tuesday: 9AM–5PM

Wednesday: 9AM–5PM

Thursday: 9AM–5PM

Friday: 9AM–5PM

Saturday: 9AM–5PM

Reviews

H.L. Moctezuma

Apr 29, 2022

(I'm a Buddhist, I say this with great respect and love ....) I visited 30 years ago. The visit has had a profound, and positive effect on my life. It still does. The Sanctuary is very beautiful, very simple. The sung Office (Chant) is tremendously moving. As is the (stillness of) silence. Christianity at its best. Thank you brothers.

Linda Soeder

Feb 24, 2022

We were there on February 15, 2022. It was very cold that day so we didn't walk the grounds, but will come back and do that. The Visitors Center is every nice. And the ladies working were so nice. We bought a Fruit Cake, and some fudge. Both were excellent!

Lloyd Mershon

Nov 30, 2021

Such a peaceful, tranquil spot. Was able to enter the visitor center, gift shop and the church! They have several trails on the property across the street wasn't able to hike them today but will go back again!

Mark McQuade

Oct 31, 2021

Very interesting Abbey in a beautiful area. We walked the statue trail and visited the gift shop.

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Questions & Answers

When is it available to visit the Abbey? Can one stay a week? What is the cost?

Haldon Robarge | Jan 29, 2019
Jason Fuchs | Jan 30, 2019

Also, you can make a day visit with no reservations. Just show up.

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How does one become a member?

Omar Torres | Jan 29, 2020
Judith Newell | Jan 30, 2020

Check out their website:. monks.org

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When is Check in and check out.

Bobby Dillard | Jan 29, 2020
Joe Ippolito | Jan 30, 2020

David Johnson is correct. However, if you get there early you can still participate in liturgy of the hours

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When is Christmas Mass? Did I miss choir from Notre Dame University?

Veronica Gossett | Jan 29, 2018
Steve Vornov | Jan 30, 2018

To tell the truth I can't see cloistered Trappist monks inviting a college choir. Where would they perform?

I am looking for someone who I am told is living there. His initials are M.A.C. His father in Michigan passed away and nobody has been able to locate Mr. Cybul to notify him.

Audra Heath | Jan 29, 2020
Stefany Segesta | Jan 30, 2020

I would try calling them. I hope you're able to find him. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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My wife and I with our three adult children and their spouses would like to have a mini retreat on September 30, Would need four rooms for one night, Is this time available?

Jerry Merrell | Jan 29, 2019
Martha Tribbey | Jan 30, 2019

You can call the gift shop. They can help you find out.

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I'm interested in going soon. Do they do events for Christmas?

The Kentucky Rifleman | Jan 29, 2018
Steve Vornov | Jan 30, 2018

You may attend Christmas Masses.

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Is this available to both men a d women?

Sean Haffner | Jan 14, 2022
Carol Grossi | Jan 15, 2022

Yes. I believe you have to book several months out. When I was there, there were both men and women and some couples as well.

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Is there an expiration date for the fudge with bourbon? I have an unopened box of the fudge in the refrigerator and am wondering if it is still OK for consumption.

Paula Cullison | Nov 29, 2021
Kevin Lazenby | Nov 30, 2021

Typically refrigerated fudge can last 6 to 8 weeks, and 3 months or more in the freezer

I have a federally licensed service dog would he be welcome?

John-Rodger Clay County Chronicles Amazon | Jan 28, 2021
Rebecca Hollen | Jan 29, 2021

They are not open to the public at the present time - at least until May 1. I doubt that they would have a problem welcoming service dogs once they are open to the public again, but I recommend calling ahead.

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How do I plan a retreat to this monestary

tammy tallent | Jan 29, 2020
William Yearout | Jan 30, 2020

Call or email. The retreats can fill up quickly so it's best to plan a few months ahead.

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What time is it open

Pat Culotta | Jan 29, 2020
Joseph Coelho | Jan 30, 2020

The Welcome Center & Shop is open Mon-Sat 9 to 5. The monastery is open during service times. Vigils start at 3.15 a.m.

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What airport would you fly in to get there?

Lynn Phillips-Gaines | Jan 29, 2020
C M Ballard | Jan 30, 2020

Louisville or Lexington both work.

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Is there Sunday Mass

Mary Simeone | Jan 29, 2020
T T | Jan 30, 2020

Yes. You can view their schedule online.

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When are private/solo women wknd retreat allowed?

Diane Castro | Jan 29, 2020
Lisa Gensler Dugan | Jan 30, 2020

Women are allowed any time as far as I know. But I'm not sure what you mean by private. My husband and i were there together and the retreatants were mostly female

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Are pets allowed on the hiking trails?

Brennanbooth89 | Jan 29, 2020
Joseph Coelho | Jan 30, 2020

The Abbey website states that "pets may not be kept in the retreat house". But nothing is mentioned about pets on the trail. So I presume you could have pets on the campus. But you could call (502)549-4133 to confirm their policy regarding pets.

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Is there a silent retreat

Nancy Young | Jan 29, 2020
Scott Johnson | Jan 30, 2020

Yes

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Does this monestary take pets?

Jessie Gordon | Jan 29, 2020
Scott Johnson | Jan 30, 2020

No

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What are the meals for the,week end

St. Mark Prayer Chain | Jan 29, 2020
Scott Johnson | Jan 30, 2020

They differ. You don't know until the day of.

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I just finished a Thomas Merton book. I wasn't into it, is it me? Do people really like reading this? Did he have an editor?

T P | Jan 29, 2019
Carol Monahan | Jan 30, 2019

TF, I also just finished Seven Storey Mountain, and found it one of those most profound of autobiographies. I underlined a hundred paragraphs. It is the journey towards awareness and union with God that will call to the readers who travel a similar journey. I am not Catholic, but Christian, and have encountered God in much the same way as Merton, time and again. The born again experience, about which Billy Graham teaches, is an awakening of a soul that is dead to sin, then made alive by a conviction of sin and then receiving Christ as having paid for that sin, when we cannot do so. Swift and sudden changes occur... cursing habits suddenly stop, a conscience awakens, many ways of seeing life change. And the journey of knowing God progresses as one follows Jesus. Merton found that to make life meaningful, as have I. It’s a journey open to anyone, to me, to you. When one hears God call, it’s imperative to respond right away, as the Voice, if ignored, will become silent. He is all.

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What time are the prayers throughout the day, when all the monks gather?

Charlotte Kirsch | Jan 29, 2020
Troy Reynolds | Jan 30, 2020

Weekday: 3:15am, 5:45am, 6:15am Mass, 7:30am, 12:15pm, 2:15pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm.

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Can one make a reservation for less than 4 weekday nights?

Beverly Richards | Jan 29, 2020
Byron Hunt | Jan 30, 2020

I would suggest you call them. When I'm ready for a retreat it will be short and I'll call in advance to ask for my days

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What weeks in December can women come to Gethsemani to make a retreat. Are there any available times open to come.

Diane Robisch | Jan 29, 2019
Joe Ippolito | Jan 30, 2019

Submit reservation request online.

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I need info on the food items the monks make and sell. How is the fruitcake, the jams, the honey and the fudge. I'm planning on buying these for Christmas gifts, so don't want loved ones to be disappointed.

Anne Rector | Jan 29, 2019
Leah Marie Watson | Jan 30, 2019

The fruitcake is WONDERFUL!! The fudge melts in your mouth. I have not tried their honey or jams, but know the beekeeper there and they are well cared for. :) Hope this helps. No one has ever been disappointed with the taste or quality when we have given their items as gifts or served it at our home.

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What's the possibility for a 69 year old white male with knowledge of theology to be taken in as a novice ?

Joe Gonzalez | Jan 29, 2019
Steve Vornov | Jan 30, 2019

Race is irrelevant. Normally novices are much younger. Best contact the monks

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Do the monks or can they say masses for people

Tina Tilson | Jan 29, 2019
William Hooper | Jan 30, 2019

If you're on retreat there, it's easy: ask the chaplain or the guestmaster. If not, see the answer below about the web site. I have heard them say a name for whom a mass was intended.

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What is the cost for retreats

Kenny Ballard | Jan 29, 2019
Jason Fuchs | Jan 30, 2019

They do not explicitly charge but they do ask for donations.

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Do you still have certain weeks assigned to women?

Joan Mastell | Jan 29, 2018
Jason Fuchs | Jan 30, 2018

Yes the main retreat house is closed until about March 2018. They do have some rooms in the abbey itself but they are only for men. When they open the main house again, I do believe 1 week per month is reserved for women only. Of course, women can visit any week, but they like to set aside one week for just women and no men.

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Are they open on Sunday?

jeramie maddox | Jan 29, 2018
Chava Bahle | Jan 30, 2018

Visitors are welcome in the abbey church every day. The welcome center is closed on Sunday and on major holidays.

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can visitors your the garden inside monastery?

Doug Diebold | Jan 29, 2018
Chava Bahle | Jan 30, 2018

Yes but the acres across the road, with trails made vy Br. Rene, are especially worth your time. The actual garden area is small, and requires silence.

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