Abbey of the Genesee — Local services in Town of York

This was the very first monastery that I ever visited and at which I made a retreat of several days duration many years ago when still living on the east coast. Brother Anthony Weber was retreat master at the time.

I still remember walking from Geneseo (the nearest town to Piffard) with my luggage since it was impossible to contact anyone at the only available taxi service by telephone. And that somewhat longer daily, early morning walk from Bethlehem Retreat House to the relatively dark church and back again at around 2:00 a.m. for vigils with flashlight in hand was quite the memorable experience.

Not only has the church been remodeled with more lighting since then, but the bakery also has expanded quite a bit over the years and is no longer just making Monks Bread (I still regularly order their cinnamon bread out here on the west coast.) but also biscotti, fruit bars, cakes and the like.

Their prices are quite reasonable if you realize that these Trappist monks are engaged in their business enterprise solely to support and pay the bills associated with their God-centered religious life. It is the latter which is of primary importance. Thus. they are definitely not capitalists in the traditional sense of the word.

This is a unique, special and holy place well worth visiting on a recurring basis to relax, refocus and mitigate some of the spiritual damage done by the incessant stresses of the Action Jackson, win-at-all-costs mentality of modern life while contemplating the one thing - the only thing - that...

This is a place of beauty, peace and delicious bread! We plan a retreat here every year, it is a silent retreat for the most part and that is a wonderful thing! You each get your own simple room to relax, pray, read, etc. whatever you need to bring you peace. Beautiful grounds to walk around and lots of wildlife to watch. The main retreat house has a pond. Arrangements can be made to meet with one of the Monk's during your stay, there are also talks given at the Abbey. Simple, tasty meals are included and Monk's bread and coffee/tea are available 24/7. There is also a group house. Church services are optional but encouraged and part of the experience of living as closely to the Monk's as possible. We love it and will go back year after...

It is a beautiful drive to this peaceful Abbey of the Genessee. It is in this monastery, that the order of Cistercian monks, Trappists, make and sell their well-known "Monks" bread. Their relatively new little store boasts some items from other monasteries, too. This place of solitude is situated in the country with beautiful grounds and several kinds of wildlife to observe. The church is usually open to the public, and does offer mass. The Abbey also offers several places for peaceful retreats. My friends and I always enjoy our visits here. We usually come back a couple times during the year. There is do much to do and see...