St. Bernard Abbey Retreat?

[AngelRose81]

Has anyone ever been to St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, AL? It says you can go to a retreat at no cost, but you may give a donation. Right now I can’t really afford a retreat at our local center ($150 or so for a weekend) and I really need a silent retreat.

Here’s the link to the Abbey.

It’s only a couple of hours from me, plus its close to Hanceville too incase I want to stop by the OLAM Shrine.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

This is a Benedictine order and following the rule of St. Benedict, they are not allowed to charge money for guest who make retreats there, except to let you know, that they accept free-will offerings. Usually, there is an envelope left in your room, where you can put an anonymous offering in it. They may have a box that the envelope can be dropped off, or you can just give it to the retreat master.

Go on the retreat, and leave an offering of what you can afford if anything. Then, when you can, send them a donation or donations in support, throughout the year.

Most Monasteries, such as this one, which has an Abbot, and are well established. They have benefactors who donate enough, that it allows people with no money to make retreats there.

So, go ahead on retreat, and don’t worry about money. Let God feed you, as He seems to be calling you there.

Jim

 

[Sebaldus]

AngelRose,
I have spent several incredibly wonderful days at St Bernard’s Abbey (over 3 or 4 seperate visits). While they certainly need the donations to support their activities, they will never mention money to you, and JimR is exactly right – Give what you can afford now, and then send them more when you can.
You will probably fall in love with this place as soon as you walk onto the grounds, as I did. I have never experienced such an overwhelming and immediate sense of peace and the presence of the Holy Spirit as I have there. And sitting in the choir with the monks as they pray the Liturgy is about as much as foretaste of Heaven as I can imagine.
The community is very small, and they support themselves through a bookstore, the Ave Maria Grotto, a candle making business, and they have a prep school. Years ago, there was a seminary there.
Take some time to walk around the grounds, to the monk’s cemetary and also investigate the trails through the woods. There is a pervasive holiness that just seems to hang in the air – I cannot explain it, but you will feel it.
Good luck to you on your retreat, and say hello to Abbot Cletus and Brother Brendan!

 

[AngelRose81]

Thanks for the responses. I knew that they would accept a donation, which I plan on giving, but the $150 for a retreat was a little steep right now, plus our retreat center isn’t as orthodox as I guess I would like it to be:blush:

I think I’m going to make a retreat to St. Bernard’s. Hopefully I can make it before the end of the year. I’ve emailed for info. Keep me in your prayers!