Abadia de Santa Cruz

The Abbey of the Holy Cross (Santa Cruz) is a Cistercian monastery located in the interior of the state of São Paulo, in Itaporanga. It is a place of prayer, work, and community life, where the monastic tradition remains alive and accessible to those seeking a time of spiritual retreat, inner guidance, or simply a pause from the ordinary rhythm of life. The imposing church, surrounded by the tranquil landscape of the Brazilian interior, naturally invites recollection and a deepening of the Christian faith.

A Cistercian abbey born of faith, exile, and hope

Founded on August 5, 1936, the Abbey of the Holy Cross (Santa Cruz) of Itaporanga came into being with the arrival in Brazil of Dom Atanásio Merkle and a small group of monks from Himmerod Abbey in Germany. On the eve of World War II, these religious left a Europe gripped by intense tensions in order to live the Cistercian monastic life freely.

The early years were demanding. In a region still lacking in infrastructure and resources, the monks built the monastery themselves: they made the bricks, constructed the first buildings, and gradually organized community life. At the same time, they developed spiritual guidance for the people of the Itaporanga region.

In 1950, the monastery officially became an abbey. Its abbey church, consecrated in 1967 and designed by German architect Albert Boßlet, made a profound mark on the local landscape. With its two exposed-brick towers and its neo-Romanesque dome, it is today one of the most recognizable landmarks of Itaporanga, in the state of São Paulo.

Today, the abbey is home to a community of around twenty Cistercian monks who strive to live faithfully according to the Rule of Saint Benedict through a simple, fraternal life centered on prayer.

The Cistercian community of Itaporanga and daily monastic life

The monks' day is entirely shaped by liturgical prayer, also known as the Divine Office. Each morning, the community rises at 4:10 a.m. to celebrate Vigils and Lauds, the first prayers of the day. At 6:30 a.m., the monks then join local residents for the conventual Mass.

Throughout the day, the offices follow one another in the abbey church, alternating Cistercian Gregorian chant in Latin with psalms in Portuguese. This regular prayer deeply structures the rhythm of the monastery and gives the abbey its peaceful and recollected atmosphere.

Between times of prayer, the monks devote themselves to manual, intellectual, and pastoral work, in the Benedictine spirit of "ora et labora" — "prayer and work."

A large part of this activity involves agricultural work and livestock farming. The community cultivates soybeans in particular and maintains a stable dairy operation throughout the year. This work takes place primarily at the Mosteirinho de São José, a rural property linked to the monastery.

The work there is carried out on a human scale, in a spirit of simplicity, balance, and responsibility. Repetitive, silent, and concrete, it is fully part of monastic life and also contributes to the local community.

The community belongs to the Brazilian Congregation of Cistercians and also provides pastoral service to the parish of Saint John the Baptist in Itaporanga.

Spiritual retreat and Christian retreat at Itaporanga Abbey

The abbey primarily offers Christian spiritual retreats centered on silence, prayer, and personal recollection.

Guests who come here are not looking for a packed program or a series of activities. Above all, they discover a place shaped by a steady rhythm: that of the Church's prayer, monastic silence, and fraternal life.

Taking part in a spiritual retreat at Itaporanga Abbey means taking the time to slow down, to refocus, and to rediscover a sense of inner peace. The morning silence, the sound of the bells, the liturgical chants in Latin, the simplicity of the meals, and the sober beauty of the church gradually create a climate conducive to interiority.

Retreatants may:

• join the monks for the liturgical offices;
• attend daily Mass;
• spend extended times of silence and reading;
• request spiritual guidance;
• receive the sacrament of reconciliation;
• enjoy the gardens and walking areas around the monastery.

Certain preached retreats may also be organized depending on the community's availability.

The experience offered is intentionally simple and authentic: everything is designed to foster an inner encounter with God, away from everyday busyness, in an atmosphere of monastic silence.

Monastic guest house and accommodation for a spiritual retreat in Brazil

The abbey's guest house follows the Cistercian tradition of hospitality: simplicity, calm, and sobriety.

The rooms, single or double, are functional, clean, and conducive to rest. The buildings as a whole favor a silent and peaceful atmosphere, free from unnecessary distractions.

During their stay, guests have access to:

• the abbey church;
• several common areas;
• spaces suited to reading and personal prayer;
• the gardens and outdoor areas of the monastery.

Meals follow the monastic rhythm: they are simple, balanced, and served in a calm and orderly setting.

This deliberate sobriety allows retreatants to fully live a Christian retreat experience centered on what truly matters.

Discovering Itaporanga and the surroundings of the abbey in the state of São Paulo

The abbey is located in Itaporanga, in the Alto do Paranapanema region, approximately 350 kilometers from the city of São Paulo.

This rural region of Brazil offers wide open landscapes, a more peaceful pace of life, and an environment favorable to recollection. The monastery thus benefits from a rare balance: sufficiently secluded to foster silence, while remaining close to the town's essential services.

The surrounding area naturally invites contemplation and walking. Among the places accessible near the abbey:

• the Xavantes dam, appreciated for its scenery and peaceful atmosphere;
• the Morro do Defunto, a natural viewpoint offering beautiful panoramas of the region;
• several caves and rural chapels suited to prayer and walking;
• the town center of Itaporanga, with its small squares, local shops, and a food fair inspired by caipira and tropeira traditions.

The ever-present nature, wide open spaces, and calm of the region naturally extend the experience lived at the monastery.