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Holy Cross Abbey

901 Cool Spring Lane Berryville, Virginia 22611

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For 1500 years monks have prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. Join us in continuing this monastic tradition.

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Welcome to Our Lady of the Holy Cross Abbey

The monastery is a school of the Lord's service where Christ is formed in the hearts of the brothers and where in solitude and silence they aspire to that interior quiet in which wisdom is born. By generous hospitality they share with their fellow pilgrims the peace and hope which Christ has freely given.
(Constitutions of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance 3:2-3)

Read more about our life

Wishing all a Blessed Easter of Joy and Peace

May 2, 2023

Christ our Life is Risen, Alleluia!

As the Easter Season progresses towards Pentecost, we are happy that our Monastery Chapel remains open to the general public. However, please be aware that in the interests of protecting the health of our elderly and vulnerable monks, we will not be offering the chalice to our guests at communion—we thank you for your understanding. Given the unpredictable nature of this Covid pandemic, these arrangements will be periodically reviewed and adjusted, if necessary.

We are also happy to announce that the Gift Shop has reopened—though only on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, from 2.15 until 4.15. On Saturdays the Gift Shop is open from 10.00 – 12.00 Noon, and again from 2.15 until 4.15. THE SMALL FRUITCAKES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GIFT, and we are happy to reassure you that our popular creamed honeys are readily available.

In the meantime, however, our Retreat House is open but until further notice, access to the confessor/counselor will be very limited and not always guaranteed. For more information on safety measures being implemented in our Retreat House and for making a reservation, please email Carol Hensley at information@hcava.org Also, we will continue to livestream daily mass and the main offices of the day: Lauds and Mass at 7.00 a.m. (Sunday Mass at 10.00 a.m.); Vespers at 5.30 p.m. and Compline at 7.30 p.m. (Please be aware that the quality of both image and sound is far less than ideal because of technical limitations)

  • Anyone wishing participate virtually in our liturgies need simply Click Here to be redirected to our livestreaming page.

MONASTERY FRUITCAKES AND THE GIFT SHOP

Fruit Cakes, Creamed Honeys, and Monastery Truffles can still be purchased online at: www.monasteryfruitcake.org but fruitcakes are now SOLD OUT at the Monastery Gift Shop.

News

Gift Shop on Saturday alert:

June 4, 2023

Please be advised that the Gift Shop will be closed for the next two Saturday mornings. That is, on June 10 and June 17. However, on both those days the Gift Shop will still be open in the afternoon from 2.15 until 4.15. Then, from Saturday, June 24, onwards the Gift Shop will be open, as usual, in the mornings from 10.00 until 12.00 Noon, and from 2.15 until 4.15 p.m., in the afternoon. … Continue Reading

  • Fruitcake News
  • A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers

Liturgy

A Word from Our Cistercian Fathers

June 7, 2023

But as for me, whatever is lacking in my own resources I appropriate for myself from the heart of the Lord, which overflows with mercy.  And there is no lack of clefts by which they are poured out.  …  But the nail that pierced him has become for me a key unlocking the sight of the Lord’s will.  Why should I not gaze through the cleft?  The nail cries out, the wound cries out that God is truly in … Continue Reading

  • Abbot Joseph’s Homily for the Ascension
  • Fr. James’ Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter

...more liturgy posts

From the Abbot’s Lectio Notebook

May 9, 2023

Notwithstanding the total gratuitousness of God’s grace and salvation, the peace that Christ offers does come at a price—namely, living in total harmony with God’s will. Or, as Jesus expressed it: Doing just as the Father has commanded me. In contrast, the peace that the world offers, depends on realities outside ourselves and, especially, on my will being done. And whereas my will may be done … Continue Reading

Retreat House

Staying a few days at the Abbey's Retreat House is the primary way guests can get a taste of our monastic life, by entering into silence and solitude, the natural beauty of the setting, and the monastic liturgy throughout the day. Retreat House guests commit to maintaining the silence and contemplative environment of the place.

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Gift Shop

The first building many of our guests visit when they come to the monastery is the Gift Shop/Porter’s Cottage located at the end of the entrance road to the monastery.

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Bakery Products

If you’re local or able to make a trip to visit us, we would appreciate a visit the monastery in person and you can get your fruitcake at the best price directly from the Gift Shop.

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Donation

We must be intentional in making sure the ongoing financial support needed to keep the Abbey running is acquired. You can make a one time gift or, better yet, you can become a Sustainer.

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Cool Spring Natural Cemetery

Cool Spring Natural Cemetery is maintained and managed by the Cistercian Monks of Holy Cross Abbey where, for over sixty years, monks have lived on land made sacred by their lives of worship, prayer, and hospitality offered to all who visit. The cemetery thus constitutes a tangible extension of the monks’ life of worship, prayer, and their long tradition of hospitality.

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Holy Cross Abbey

901 Cool Spring Lane
Berryville, Virginia 22611-2700
Phone: (540) 955-4383

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