About Richmond Monks

We are a vibrant community of monks seeking God in the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict as expressed through our prayerful Liturgy and the work of our ministries.

For well over a century and a half the Benedictines have prayed and worked in Richmond, Virginia. First sent in 1860 to serve at St. Mary’s Church then located at Third and Marshall Streets, the community grew so that on June 8,1989 the Benedictine Priory was granted its independence and subsequent elevation to the status of an Abbey, under the patronage of Mary Mother of the Church.

The Abbey is located west of Richmond in a peaceful setting of 50 acres overlooking the historic James River. The monks are engaged in teaching at Benedictine College Prep, chaplaincy, parish ministry, retreat work, as well as various other pastoral work within the Richmond Diocese.