Escape to the Quiet of Holy Cross Abbey

If the sound of silence is what you seek as an antidote to the daily barrage of noise pollution, head west to Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville.  Ensconced in the Shenandoah Valley on a working farm, this monastery of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, or OCSO, invites contemplative respite seekers to stay for a weekend or a week.

All are welcome – those of all faiths, and those searching for faith, for peace, or simply for a place to step out of the ever-faster pace of most contemporary lives — attributed on the OCSO Web site to Abbot Robert Barnes.

Holy Cross Abbey can accommodate 15 retreatants during the week and 15 during the weekend. Who needs technology when you can ponder, pray, meditate, read, journal or hike here?  If you don’t think you can part with your cell phone, you won’t have to. Use of cell phones, however, is only permitted outdoors. The Retreat House Library also provides books and tapes for your use. Tape recorders with ear phones are allowed.

According to Administrator Carol Hensley, “There is a lovely chapel for personal prayer and meditation, a nicely stocked library, sun room and small meeting rooms. Guests observe personal silence while on retreat in the dining room, common areas and their rooms.” According to Hensley, retreat guests are also welcome at all of the Monk’s five regular services in the Abbey Church.

If you’re ready for a restorative escape, the Abbey Guest House is available, by reservation, for either weekday or weekend retreats. Weekday retreats begin on Monday at 3 p.m. (or later) and end on Friday at 9:30 a.m. Weekend retreats are from Friday at 3 p.m. (or later) through Sunday at 3 p.m.  According to Hensley, the suggested appropriate offering for a weekday retreat is $300 to $500 per person, per room. The Abbey requests a $75 deposit that is applied toward the offering.

The suggested offering for a weekend stay is $150 to $300 per person, per room. A $50 deposit is requested for the weekend option. Whether you choose a weekday or weekend retreat option, your offering includes a single room, private bath and all meals for the desired stay. Holy Cross Abbey also offers the option of a partial weekday stay with a minimum of two nights.

Said one reviewer of Holy Cross Abbey on tripadvisor: “I spent 3 great days at The Abbey. The staff was so nice, went out of their way to make you feel welcomed. Available if needed, out of your way when not needed. All meals included in the price of your stay--great food. Very relaxing. Beautiful grounds to hike around, looking at the mountains all around, and the Shenandoah River within hiking distance. A 24-hour chapel available right in the retreat house. A marvelous place to get your spiritual life re-balanced.”

If you’re a gourmand looking for a simple day trip, the Abbey sells a variety of epicurean delights such as fruit cakes, truffles, honey and fraters (dark chocolate covered fruitcake) in its gift shop. You can also order online. The bakery at Holy Cross is the monastery’s primary source of income.  A variety of other gift items are available for purchase, including cheeses, coffees, books on Cistercian and monastic spirituality, greeting cards and more.

Whether you want to experience the ever-elusive sound of silence or simply looking for an outing sans the crowd, Holy Cross Abbey is a sanctuary worth discovering.

Holy Cross Abbey is located at 901 Cool Spring Lane in Berryville, To reserve a room in the guest house, email information@hcava.org, call 540-955-4383, or visit www.hcava.org.