We have had a lot of folks inquiring about our Monastic Immersion Weekend, May 19-21 and quite a few who have registered,  so the spots are being filled rather quickly.  If you have any interest in joining us remember there are only 15 rooms available so you should hurry.  This includes  those who have inquired […]

There’s a VERY good chance our new web site will launch NEXT WEEK!  Which means, of course, you should be checking it every ten minutes or so to make sure you don’t miss the unveiling…ok, that’s a little much.  But you are going to want to keep checking for this very much improved–and mobile phone […]

By now you have probably received your copy of the Fall / Winter newsletter.  In it is a story about the ongoing renovation of the chapel and includes an artists rendering of what it is to look like.  Here’s what it looks like now: As you can see on the left the builders have covered […]

    Here’s a photo of the progress in the chapel.  As you can see the side walls that will hold up the new vaulting are in place.  The workers aren’t exactly monastic in their silence but they do work hard.  Not sure the monks ever expected to hear Beyoncé on the radio in the […]

Demolition is now complete and the workers have begun renovation of the church at the Abbey.  In the meantime our friends are reminded we are using the Chapter Room as a chapel which means there is very little room for visitors.  You are encouraged to perhaps attend mass at your local parish church on Sundays […]

The brothers apologize for the inconvenience but the date for the 2017 MIW has to be changed from May 5-7 to May 19-21.  Please be reminded the MIW fills up quickly so if you are interested you should email  companions@virginiatrappists.org to reserve a spot. Information on the MIW can be found on the home page […]

The community has announced that the Monastic Immersion Weekend in the Spring is scheduled for May 5-7.  If you are interested please send email to companions@virginiatrappists.org and tell us a little about yourself including your experience with retreats, Cistercian monasteries, Benedictine communities etc. MIWs fill up VERY fast so you are encouraged to inquire quickly.  […]

One thing we have learned since beginning to offer programs to the public is there is some ‘good stuff’ going on out there for laypeople and others interested in monastic life.  In these pages in the future we will try to focus on some of them (occasionally we promise) in case our friends have interest. […]

Here are  photos of the MIW class of 2016 with Father Paschal Balkan at his conference on Trappist life (right) and Father Maurice Flood after his conference on his time with Thomas Merton (left).  Add a session with the Abbot and choir practice with Fr. James and the class had a wonderful opportunity to spend […]

Sixteen men and women are slated to spend 48 hours with the monks at HCA soon.  This year’s ‘class’ is comprised of 5 women and 11 men from very varied backgrounds.  During their weekend they will sit in choir with the monks, wearing special choir shirts, and will have several conferences with them including one […]