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Holy Cross Abbey

Rostrevor Founded in 1998

Benedictines Monks
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A Benedictine abbey founded to bring Catholics and Protestants closer together

Holy Cross Abbey is an abbey of Benedictine monks in Rostrevor, County Down, Northern Ireland. The monks belong to the Olivetan Congregation of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto and came in January 1998 from Notre-Dame du Bec-Hellouin Abbey in Normandy. Their founding decree gives them a specific mission: to contribute to reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants. The monastery was built in the Kilbroney Valley, where Saint Bronagh had founded a community in the 6th century. It opened in January 2004 and became an abbey in 2019.

The abbey's guest house welcomes retreatants individually or in groups. Guests may attend the monks' offices in the church, from Lauds at 6:45 a.m. to Vigils at 8:30 p.m., and the Eucharist at 11:30 a.m. Monks offer spiritual guidance to those who request it. Around the buildings, the grounds look out over the valley and the hills that slope down toward Carlingford Lough. The monks also hand-craft baptism, birth, and wedding candles.

Learn more about this place

What awaits you

Six gatherings a day Lauds at 6:45 a.m., Terce, the Eucharist at 11:30 a.m., None, Vespers, and Vigils at 8:30 p.m., in the abbey church.
A church built in 2004 A bright church with an open-work wooden ceiling, consecrated in 2004; on the eve, the Catholic and Anglican bishops carried the icon of the Holy Cross into it together.
Monks who came from Le Bec Having arrived from Normandy in 1998, the monks' mission is to contribute to reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants.
The valley of Saint Bronagh Saint Bronagh founded a community at Kilbroney in the 6th century; her Celtic cross and the ruins of her church stand in the neighboring cemetery.
Spiritual guidance available Guests who wish may receive spiritual guidance from a monk during their stay.

Practical information

What does a typical day at Holy Cross Abbey look like?

The day follows the monks' offices in the church: Lauds at 6:45 a.m., Terce at 9:20 a.m., Eucharist at 11:30 a.m., None at 2:15 p.m., Vespers at 5:30 p.m., and Vigils at 8:30 p.m. On Sundays, None is at 2:30 p.m. and Vespers at 5:00 p.m.

What time should I arrive at Holy Cross Abbey?

Guests at Holy Cross Abbey arrive and depart at three points during the day: before lunch (12:45 p.m.), between lunch and dinner (6:45 p.m.), or after dinner, up until 9:15 p.m.

Can I speak with a monk during a retreat in Rostrevor?

Yes. At Holy Cross Abbey, monks offer spiritual guidance to guests who request it. They meet with guests in the sitting rooms on the ground floor of the guest house, in the monastery parlors, or in the grounds.

Can minors stay at Holy Cross Abbey?

The guest house at Holy Cross Abbey does not normally accommodate guests under 18. A group of young people, for example for a school retreat, may come under the direct supervision of an accompanying adult.

Office schedule

  • Lauds 06:45
  • Terce 09:20
  • Eucharist 11:30
  • None 14:15
  • Vespers 17:30
  • Vigils 20:30
  • Lauds 06:45
  • Terce 09:20
  • Eucharist 11:30
  • None 14:30
  • Vespers 17:00
  • Vigils 20:30

Location

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