Welcome to Holy Cross Abbey

The Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Cross was born out of fire. When the monastery of Our Lady of the Valley in Valley Falls, Rhode Island, tragically and spectacularly burned to the ground on the night of March 21, 1950, the monks of the abbey were left without a home.

While the abbot of Our Lady of the Valley, Dom Edmund Futterer, labored to re-establish his displaced community at a new site at Spencer, Massachusetts, plans developed for a new foundation. Land was found in the ... Read More

A Message from the Abbot

A message from the Abbot of Holy Cross Abbey: The  Ascension of the Lord St. Bernard of Clairvaux calls the Ascension the "completion" or "perfection" of the Incarnation of the Lord. Christ came in the flesh and dwelt among us and in that very flesh he returned to the Father from whom he had come. So this Solemnity celebrates the completion of that "seamless … Continue Reading...

News from the Abbey

Other Responses to the Refounding Retreat

Thank you to all of you who follow this website and have commented on the Refounding Retreat with your support and prayers … [Read More...]

Observers Arriving at Holy Cross Abbey

This week we are happy to receive two men who will be joining us for three months to discern their vocation with us. We call … [Read More...]

Refounding Retreat at Priestfield, 5-9 May, 2013

This past Sunday afternoon, nine of the monks of Holy Cross Abbey drove over to the Pastoral or Retreat Center at … [Read More...]

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Take Part

You may join us here at the Abbey by a sojourn in our Retreat House for a silent retreat, as a visitor to our Gift Shop or as a family member visiting a member of the community. You can assist at … Find Out More...

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Visit Us

Holy Week Schedule, 2013 24 March: Palm Sunday--11:00 AM Mass 28 March: Holy Thursday--4:30 PM Mass 29 March: Good Friday--11:00 AM Good Friday Psalter; 4:30 PM--Celebration of the Lord's … Find Out More...

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Monastery Products

Monastery products are treats for family and friends, holidays or anytime! A fruitcake from the Trappist monks for those who appreciate quality products, made from an old fashioned recipe, using … Find Out More...

Cool Spring Natural Cemetery

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The Shenandoah River flows lazily along of the base of Virginia’s Great Blue Ridge here at Cool Spring Natural Cemetery nestled in Virginia’s northern Shenandoah Valley. Eagles and herons fly above meadows of wildflowers and cool, green woodlands. Deer and wild turkey wander peacefully across the hallowed grounds where Union and Confederate troops fought and died in 1864. Cool Spring Natural Cemetery is a place for people of all faiths and beliefs who seek a burial that is kind to the … [Read More...]

(click to view the prayer schedule)