Hospitality

The welcoming path to the Monastery
(photo Norm McFarlane)

    Hospitality  is one of the key components of the Benedictine life-style. There is no  Benedictine Spirituality without the welcoming of guests. In his Rule, Saint Benedict says “Let all guests that come to the monastery be received as Christ. For, one day , he will say: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” In other words, monastic hospitality is essentially based on  the Gospel values.
    In our time, as in Benedict’s day, visitors, single or small groups are never lacking in a monastery. They come for different reasons. Some come for a quiet time, for personal prayer or to join the monks  at the Liturgy of the Hours, or they come to seek counsel or support  in a difficulty or simply “to return to the source.”
    In a turbulent and hectic world, the monastery with its space for recollection and prayer draws  the  visitors gently towards  God who is the source of peace.

Washing time
(Photo Theo Robinson OSB)

Arcadia: an oasis of peace

    Located in beautiful countryside on lovely farmland with bush, paddocks and a large dam, the Benedictine community of monks at Arcadia offers a number of opportunities of hospitality throughout the year.
    Hospitality is provided for : individual retreatants, small groups, single day retreats, meditation and spirituality days. Accommodation is available at the Monastery Guest House with 5 bedrooms and meals are taken with the monks.

Guests' common room
(Photo Theo Robinson OSB)

    There is also a Cottage on the property  with 7 bedrooms and where the guests may prepare their own meals. The same applies to a separate hermitage building. Spiritual Direction is available if required.

The Cottage - former homestead
(photo Norm McFarlane)

Other activities of  Meditation and Spirituality  held at the Monastery:

1.  Christian Meditation Day :  4 times a year
2.  Benedictine  Oblates : monthly meeting

  
Cottage dining room
(Photo Theo Robinson OSB)

*    The Library may be used by guests (subject to our borrowing policy).
*    The Chapel with wonderful views can be used  for Meditation
*    At the small craft-shop, you can find some of the monastery products such as jam,
      honey,  Icons, cards, etc.

Monastery Lake
(Photo Ellen Conway RSM)

For further information contact:

The Guest-master
St Benedict’s Monastery
121 Arcadia Rd
Arcadia NSW 2159
Australia

Phone:    02 9653 1159
Fax:        02 9653 1883

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