Monastic Experience Event
Come Take a closer look at cistercian monastic life
Monastic Experience Weekends are for single, Catholic women ages 21-40 who want to learn more about the life of contemplative nuns and are discerning a call to religious life. It is an opportunity to:
Pray, learn, Rest & Reflect
During Monastic Experience Weekend, participants are able to:
- Stay in our retreat house
- Take part in the prayer life of the Sisters
- Learn and discover the beauty of Cistercian spirituality and way of life
- Hear Sisters' vocation stories and share their own
There will also be:
- Opportunity for groups and individual discussion with Sisters
- Free time for personal prayer and reflection
- Our Next Monastic Experience Event:
Friday, October 4 – Monday, October 7, 2025
Past Participant Testimonials
“If you think God is calling you to something greater, do not hesitate to give this Monastic Experience Weekend a try. No matter where you are in life, you will not regret it. Nothing is impossible for God. It was an amazing experience for me that I will always cherish.” (April 2025)
- Angela
"I am grateful for the time spent at Santa Rita Abbey during the Monastic Experience, it was a tremendous time of blessing and grace! It was also time spent in solitude with Our Lord that aided me in my continued discernment for a religious vocation. The time spent in community with the Sisters truly deepened my journey of the soul and walk with the Lord." (April 2025)
- Christie
“Having been raised Catholic and gone to a Catholic college, I had heard about monastic life, but I wanted to see it to be able to understand it. It’s like putting a face to a name. Now I want to spread the word of the beauty of this special vocation.”
– Colleen
Still have questions?
Email Sr. Bonitas at [email protected]. Be sure to note that you’re inquiring about a Monastic Experience Weekend in the subject line of your message.