Holy Cross Abbey

Category: Monastery

Address: 901 Cool Spring Ln, Berryville, VA 22611, USA

Phone: +15409554383

Reviews

AC USA Amicizia Cristiana USA

Oct 17, 2021

This is a beautiful place and a quiet refuge for those seeking to "come away" a while and be with the Lord. Amenities are very basic and the rooms are comfortable. As I write this we are still in the midst of Covid-19, so there are a number of restrictions in place: a) must be fully vaccinated; b) masks inside except when actively eating/drinking; c) no in-person Mass with the monks (but there is a chapel in the retreat house on the 1st floor); and d) no access to the dining room/hot water/coffee outside of mealtimes. There are plenty of outside spaces to walk and meditate - you will hear the cows and the bluebirds in the morning. The cooks are really very kind and hardworking, laywomen who make our meals daily. If you can't wait til 8am breakfast, there's a McDonald's about 15 minutes away that opens as early as 5:30am. Some advice on things to bring: a) instant coffee - you can ask for hot water if you run into a staff member near meal times b) bug spray or glue traps - the spiders are a little scary c) sunscreen - the sun does get intense out here d) flashlight/reflective gear - there are no street lights or lamps out here beyond the parking lot. If you want to walk after dark, you'll need a flashlight. e) good walking shoes or hiking boots - if you walk the trails through the farmland, it can get muddy Enjoy and God bless! Thanks to the Holy Cross Abbey community for making your space available to us in the outside world! We appreciate it!

The Kaiser

Apr 19, 2021

I visited (several times) Holy Cross Abbey 12 years ago when I lived on the East Coast - Sterling, Virginia. I have NEVER forgotten the visits and the experience since. I highly HIGHLY recommend visiting Holy Cross Abbey. While I went alone, taking a family would be fantastic. The place is very spacious, inside and out, and kids would love to walk and run the grounds. The monk (at the time) was a wonderful guy whom I loved talking with. There is a kind of peace that you experience when driving up the little road to the Abbey. I felt peace permeate my body and soul. There is definitely something about Holy Cross Abbey. Something that everyone should experience. I regret never going on a retreat there, as work was so demand to me - at that time. God Bless and Peace Be With You All!

George Alexa

Mar 21, 2021

This is a note to all men over the age of 18 that are discerning a vocation to the religious life. You read comments that uses words such as quiet, peaceful, beautiful and many other adjectives describing the Abbey. You owe it to yourself to check out the place to serve God.

Emanuel Russom

Oct 19, 2020

Excellent hosts, great comfort, lots of quiet, perfectly seated in the Shenandoah valley, they really respect the quiet rules!

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Questions & Answers

How does one become a monk? I need to fully involve my life to God . I Have a calling for silence to the Lord and need too be more of one with our lord.please any suggestions of being in a order such as yours

todd howe | Oct 7, 2019
Holy Cross Abbey | Oct 7, 2019

There is a page on our website that describes the process of becoming a monk, under the heading "Vocation," in the menu at the top of our site. Here's the address: https://www.virginiatrappists.org/vocation/ Both of the other answers given here are also good suggestions--feel free to call Br. Efrain, our vocations director, directly at 540-532-1764, or to talk to a priest at your local parish.

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Could you please pray for our Parish priest, Fr Thomas Joseph. He is going to have brain surgery on August 6. Doctors found a brain tumor

Mike Young | Oct 7, 2019
Holy Cross Abbey | Oct 7, 2019

I've added it to the monk's prayer intentions.

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How many monks are at the abbey?

Robert Washko | Oct 7, 2018
MZ Normann | Oct 7, 2018

9 fully professed, 1 novice, and 2 postulants

I worked with Br. Frank Kacmarcik, OblSB on the design of the Mary, Mirror of Justice Chapel at Columbus School of Law, Catholic University. Did my Oblate Brother contribute to the design of Berryville? Your pews and tabernacle resonate?

Bonnie Ryan | Sep 6, 2022
Holy Cross Abbey | Sep 29, 2022

Yes, Frank Kacmarcik worked with Br. Michael on the interior of the retreat house and designed the retreat house chapel; and, yes, the furnishings were manufactured at Saint John's Collegeville (same is true of all the appointments at Mepkin Abbey's church).

Can I make a donation for Abbot Joe and the monks? Are they still in residence? Frank Dibert

Bill Dibert | May 9, 2022
Kieran O'Donnell | May 9, 2022

Hi Bill! Yes the are still here. The Abbey is still currently closed but the monks are all still in residence! -KOD Bookkeeper at HCA

Are there retreat facilities for women?

Kiana Cunningham | Oct 7, 2019
Our Lady of the Holy Cross Abbey | Oct 7, 2019

There are no separate facilities for men or women. Each room in the retreat house is entirely private and has its own bathroom. At the moment, almost every week there are both men and women in the retreat house at the same time.

Is there lodging for Laity? Kit Shenk

Kit Shenk | Oct 7, 2019
Chuck Sherman | Oct 7, 2019

They have a retreat house available. Call to reserve for a weekend or during the week.

I want to raise. What should I do?

Soon Kim | Oct 7, 2019
James Mullen | Oct 7, 2019

Don't understand your language.

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Good morning. how can I get in touch with the vocation master?

Milton Miranda | Oct 7, 2019
Holy Cross Abbey | Oct 7, 2019

Thanks for inquiring. That's correct; the best place to start is the Vocations page. In the last section of that page, you'll find contact information for the vocations director: https://www.virginiatrappists.org/vocation/

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Hours of operation for store?

Carolyn Glaize | Oct 7, 2018
Cathy Ruszczyk | Oct 7, 2019

Do you sell Mass cards?

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What time is daily mass?

Erin Barillare | Oct 7, 2018
Jennifer Lee | Oct 7, 2019

Mon to Saturday at 7:00 am Sunday at 10:00 am

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What time is mass tomorrow.

Catherine Dalton | Oct 7, 2018
MZ Normann | Oct 7, 2018

Mass on Thanksgiving Day is at 10 am.

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