Monastery of the Holy Cross

Kelsi Miller

Visited during an afternoon service. The chapel and the chant are both gorgeous and very moving. I found my time there very spiritually refreshing, and I look forward to returning. As other reviewers have noted, the acoustics which beautify the music also obscure the words, so if you're not already familiar with the liturgy a Book of Hours (I think that's what it's called?) might prove helpful in following along.

Sandy V

My husband and I recently stayed in one of the Chicago monastery's guest apartments and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our space was in the church, tucked up over the sacristy in a former large storage area converted into a private, quiet, cozy and comfortable living space - it felt like a secret hideaway! There were 3 bedrooms (1 single, 2 doubles), a living room, small kitchen, bath with shower, and all the amenities you'd want, including thick, sizeable towels, a quality flat-screen TV (though not huge, if that's important to you; it's not to us), comfortable furniture, an inviting decor with many homey touches, and breakfast foods including various cereals, bread, butter, jam, milk, and fresh fruit. Fr. Timothy, the Guestmaster, was a delight to work with and so helpful and responsive to our questions, etc. He told us the monks did the renovation work themselves and do almost all of the ongoing maintenance. The space is warm, welcoming, and well cared for, and the monks really have thought of everything you might need - they certainly live out the Rule of St. Benedict in welcoming guests! It was a lovely space and stay and we would enjoy returning if we're ever in the Chicago area again. Well worth the donation we made. Highly recommend.

Kenneth Purscell

We visited as part of Open House Chicago. The experience included seeing the interior art work, hearing the superior give a 15 minute lecture and answer some Q and A, and being present when the monks chanted afternoon Nones prayer. The lecture definitely helped. I'm not sure the monastery wants to be a tourist site. But if it does, then more interpretive material or a docent would be good. The chant was good, and not just in a performative way. The reverb in the nave is quite long, and my wife could not tell that the psalms were in English. But of course we aren't the intended audience. It would not take much to help a secular visitor to experience this with greater clarity.

Teri Embry

BEAUTIFUL