Cistercian Life

Seeking God &
following Christ
in a school of love

Our Santa Rita Abbey belongs to the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance which is a monastic institute wholly ordered to contemplation. The nuns dedicate themselves to the worship of God in a hidden life within the monastery under the Rule of St Benedict. They lead a monastic way of life in solitude and silence, in assiduous prayer and joyful penitence, thus rendering to the divine majesty a service that is at once humble and noble.

Our way of life is cenobitic. Cistercian nuns seek God and follow Christ under a rule and an abbess in a stable community that is a school of mutual love. Since all the sisters are of one heart and one mind, they have everything in common. By bearing one another’s burdens they fulfil Christ’s law, participating in his sufferings in the hope of entering the kingdom of heaven.

In the monastic life, we seek to place Christ at the center of all we do. The Gospel is our guide which the Rule of Benedict interprets in a life of liturgy, lectio, and labor. This threefold balance is what supports and focuses us on Christ.

The Liturgical Rhythms

At the core of Cistercian monastic life is our liturgical rhythm. At different hours of the day, the liturgy calls us to recenter ourselves in God, defining our routine with moments of communal prayer, hymns, psalms and scripture. Through this prayer, we are gradually transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, leading us into the Lord’s infinite love and life.

The Service of Work

Humble service is an integral focus in Cistercian monastic life. Manual labor is not a distraction, but rather, a form of prayer itself. Through this manual labor, we sustain our monastic life with purpose, whether making altar bread, tending the grounds, or serving in the kitchen or office. Each task is performed with mindful intention, drawing us closer to the self-emptying love of Christ.

Learn More About Our Monastic Life Today

We warmly welcome you to visit our community—pray in our chapel, make a retreat, or simply enjoy the serenity of our peaceful surroundings. To arrange a visit or learn more about our monastic way of life, please feel free to contact us by phone or email.

A Weekend of Prayer, Peace, and Possibility!

Step away from the noise and into the rhythm of monastic life. If you’re a Catholic woman discerning your path, our Monastic Experience Weekend offers a rare opportunity to explore contemplative life at Santa Rita Abbey.

Friday, October 4 – Monday, October 7

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