The Reception of Guests 

All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt 25:35). Proper honor must be shown “to all, especially to those who share our faith (Gal 6:10) and to pilgrims. 

 Rule of Saint Benedict 53. 1-2 

At St. Martin’s Abbey our guest facilities are limited (being more like guest rooms in a family home than a hotel) and, therefore, we must place certain limits on guests who wish to stay at the monastery. St. Martin’s Abbey welcomes guests under the following conditions: 

Length of Stays: 

• The Abbey Guesthouse is available for infrequent short duration stays of no more than a week. 

Types of Guests: 

• Religious and Clergy
  • Member of the Catholic clergy (Priests and Religious) may stay at our guesthouse at any time, for any reason (subject to availability) Male clergy may, at the discretion of the superiors of the monastery, stay within the cloister of the monastery instead of the guesthouse. 
• Lay persons, Deacons, Seminarians, Members of Lay and Third Orders
  • 1. Guests invited by a monk with the superior’s permission (generally visiting family and friends who are hosted by the monk who is responsible for their care during their stay according to house custom). 
  • 2. Guests on official business for the abbey. 
  • 3. Guests on personal, private retreats. (Guests who present themselves for private retreats are expected to join the monks for liturgies and meals as part of the monastic experience of the retreat). 

Last updated: Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022