Welcoming all as Christ
The Abbey of Gethsemani has received guests since its foundation in 1848. We continue to welcome men and women of all faiths from around the world. As outlined in Saint Benedict’s Rule for Monasteries, the guest represents Christ and has a claim on the welcome and care of the community.
The monastic milieu offers a place apart “to entertain silence in the heart and listen for the voice of God – to pray for your own discovery” (Thomas Merton). Gethsemani retreats are silent, unstructured and undirected. However, private consultation with one of the monks can be arranged if desired. All are welcome to participate in the Eucharist and hours of prayer.
Silence
Communing with the Lord requires a measure of solitude, a stillness and emptiness, a waiting on and attending to the Spirit.
Silence fosters and preserves the climate of prayer and is a fundamental part of the Gethsemani retreat experience.
Speaking is permitted in designated areas. Retreatants are asked to limit their speaking to those areas only.
Prayer
Communing with the Lord requires a measure of solitude, a stillness and an emptiness, a waiting on and attending to the Spirit.
Silence fosters and preserves the climate of prayer and is thus a fundamental part of the Gethsemani retreat experience.
Speaking is permitted in designated areas. Retreatants are asked to limit their speaking to those areas only.
Nature Trails
About 1,500 acres across the road from the monastery are open to the public for extended walks and hikes. There are miles of trails through the knobs on this side of the road. For trail maps, ask at the Welcome Center. Feel free to strike off on your ow, but take note of the turns you take. People (including monks) have gotten lost over there!
Enclosure
Please bear in mind that the monastic life involves separation from the world. Much of the property and the monastery building itself beyond the church are enclosed areas. Signs are posted to mark these areas. If there is a wall or a fence, this generally marks an enclosed area. If in doubt, please ask. We sometimes have requests to visit the hermitage built for Thomas Merton. The monks still use this hermitage for private retreats and therefore it is not open to the public.
Accommodations
Gethsemani’s fully-equipped guesthouse offers 30 rooms for men and women, all with private baths and showers, five with two beds, and several for persons with disabilities.
The Guesthouse is air-conditioned and has an elevator.
Located within the monastic enclosure, these limited rooms are suitable for men seeking a more monastic experience. 15 single rooms for men only. All have sinks but showers and restrooms are shared. No air conditioning or elevator.
The guesthouse library offers retreatants an ample selection of classic and contemporary religious and other books and periodicals.
The monks prepare meals for both the monastic community and retreatants. While the monks do not eat meat, it is served to guests several times per week. The kitchen cannot accommodate special diets. Retreatants may bring along snack foods and beverages.
Details
- Retreats are silent, unstructured and undirected, but one of the monks is available for consultation.
- An opening conference by one of the monks is available during each retreat.
- Guests are welcome to join the monks at the Eucharist and the Hours of prayer.
Offerings, essential for operating the guesthouse, are on a freewill basis. Offerings can be made by cash, check or credit card.
- All buildings are smoke-free.
- Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pets are not allowed in the retreat house.
- Due to the number of requests, one person cannot have more than one weekday retreat and one weekend retreat in any calendar year.
- The abbey retreat house primarily serves individual retreatants. Groups are usually not accommodated.
Reservation information
Reservations can be made no more than four months in advance. For example, if you want a retreat to begin on May 10, please call no earlier than January 10.
Regular office hours are Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and Noon, Eastern time. Notice of cancellation or other changes in plans should be made as soon as possible in consideration of others waiting to make a retreat.
Other Considerations
Retreats begin on Monday or Friday afternoons. Check-in time is between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Supper is served from 6:00 to 6:30 PM.
When retreatants depart on Monday or Friday mornings, rooms must be vacated by 8:00 AM in order to allow time for cleaning.
Check availability
Would you like to join us for a retreat? You can check availability by emailing your full name, address, phone number and potential dates to reservations@monks.org. You can also call us at 502.549.4133 or simply fill out the form below.