Holy Cross Abbey — Attraction in Berryville

This is a beautiful place and a quiet refuge for those seeking to "come away" a while and be with the Lord. Amenities are very basic and the rooms are comfortable. As I write this we are still in the midst of Covid-19, so there are a number of restrictions in place: a) must be fully vaccinated; b) masks inside except when actively eating/drinking; c) no in-person Mass with the monks (but there is a chapel in the retreat house on the 1st floor); and d) no access to the dining room/hot water/coffee outside of mealtimes. There are plenty of outside spaces to walk and meditate - you will hear the cows and the bluebirds in the morning. The cooks are really very kind and hardworking, laywomen who make our meals daily. If you can't wait til 8am breakfast, there's a McDonald's about 15 minutes away that opens as early as 5:30am.

Some advice on things to bring: a) instant coffee - you can ask for hot water if you run into a staff member near meal times b) bug spray or glue traps - the spiders are a little scary c) sunscreen - the sun does get intense out here d) flashlight/reflective gear - there are no street lights or lamps out here beyond the parking lot. If you want to walk after dark, you'll need a flashlight. e) good walking shoes or hiking boots - if you walk the trails through the farmland, it can get muddy

Enjoy and God bless! Thanks to the Holy Cross Abbey community for making your space available to us in the outside world! We...

I am finishing up my second visit. My first one was in early August. It is always wonderful. To get an extra benefit go to the five daily offices. The rooms are simple and private...all with mountain views. I prefer the upper floor or the main floor on the odd numbered side for best views....although all the rooms have views of the mountains. There is a Trappist gift shop for spiritual reading and food, soaps, incense produced by other Trappist Abbey's in the USA. Fruitcake doused with Brandy is a favorite produced by these monks. The food served at the retreat House is plain, but adequate. On Friday noon, bring your own lunch. None is provided that day, this only applies for lunch. I was just here for Thanksgiving weekend and loved it. The retreats are self directed. I hope to...

I visited (several times) Holy Cross Abbey 12 years ago when I lived on the East Coast - Sterling, Virginia. I have NEVER forgotten the visits and the experience since. I highly HIGHLY recommend visiting Holy Cross Abbey. While I went alone, taking a family would be fantastic. The place is very spacious, inside and out, and kids would love to walk and run the grounds. The monk (at the time) was a wonderful guy whom I loved talking with. There is a kind of peace that you experience when driving up the little road to the Abbey. I felt peace permeate my body and soul. There is definitely something about Holy Cross Abbey. Something that everyone should experience. I regret never going on a retreat there, as work was so demand to me - at that time. God Bless and Peace Be...