Holy Cross Abbey

901 Cool Spring Lane Berryville, Virginia 22611

Support Us

Pray With Us

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

Take Part

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

—

Corona Virus Measures

In support of all the crucial efforts to limit the spread of the Corona Virus please be aware that we have suspended public access to our daily masses here at the abbey. Also, as noted in an earlier post, the Gift Shop and Retreat House are closed until further notice.

Updates and changes to the above will be posted on this website as needed. Please join us in praying for all those more directly concerned with responding to this crisis that has so suddenly impacted our daily lives and that will present significant challenges to how we live out our Christian faith and commitment.

News

Maddie MacNeil 1940 – 2020

     Last Monday, 30 March, before the Governor’s order to stay home, a very small party gathered in Cool Spring natural Cemetery. The air was warm, the sky was cloudless, wild mint, violets and daffodils blossomed in the dappled sunlight under the trees. The birds were singing and butterflies fluttered. I think it was the ideal setting to celebrate Maddie MacNeil’s burial and, … Continue Reading

Liturgy

Fr. James’ Homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent

     Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents?     Human experience has become so intertwined with sin that none of us are untouched by it and the question seems valid. But it’s really an attempt to exonerate myself: if it’s this blind man’s sin or his parents’ sin, it’s not my sin. But what if there is something we failed to provide, as the neighbors of … Continue Reading

...more liturgy posts

From the Abbot’s Lectio Notebook

Psychological narcissism does what Christ expressly says he does not do, namely, glorify himself. Instead, he explains, it is my Father who glorifies me. This is a reminder that even if we are not overtly narcissistic we may still find ourselves looking to others for approval, affirmation, and a sense of self-worth. And whereas this is preferable to narcissistic self-glorification, it is still an … 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.

More Information

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.

More Information

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.

More Information

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.

More Information

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.

More Information

Holy Cross Abbey

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

Copyright © Holy Cross Abbey - All Rights Reserved
Website Development and Management by MarketSpark
Maintenance Log -  Webmail -  Admin