Our Monks come from various background and are endowed with a variety of talents and skills. We are involved in numerous apoloates at the Abbey, around the local Diocese of Richmond, and the universal church.

Praying (Seeking God)

"Ora et Labora" (Prayer and Work). Our primary mission is to seek God through daily communal, private prayer, and the  work we do. Monks continue this life long journey and service in the "school of the Lord's service", (Rule of St. Benedict, Prol. 45). View the schedule of the communal liturgical services at the Abbey. Christians from the sorrounding community are welcome to join the monks at daily prayers and mass. Evening prayers include adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  

Education

Benedictines have a strong tradition of commitment to education. Our monks founded and still operate the Benedictine High School in downtown Richmond. Benedictine is all-boys Catholic military high school.

Retreat and Conference Center

We continue the long Benedictine virtue of hospitality as our Holy Father St. Benedict reminds us that "Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, because He will say: "I was a stranger and you took Me in" (Mt 25:35)" RB. 53.  The Abbey monks operate a Retreat and Conference Center attracting groups of all denominations.

Abbey Gift Shop

The gift shop located in the abbey lobby provides an assortment of product made by Benedictine communities around the world. Among the favorites are jams, jellies, honey, and chocolates. The stock also include a wide variety of educational and religious materials-- books, videos, CDs, etc. The gift shop is operated by the monks.

Mission to the Sick

"When I was sick, you visited me Before and above all things, care must be taken of the sick, that they be served in very truth as Christ is served; because He hath said, "I was sick and you visited Me" (Mt 25:36)." RB. 36.  Our monks respond to Christ's call regular visits to the sick at several local hospitals. Hospitals where our monks serve as chaplains include St. Mary's Hospital, McGuire Veteran's Hospital, and St. Francis Medical Center.  

Parish Apostolate

The Abbey maintains a close relationship with the local Diocese of Richmond. Our monks often provide weekend assistance to several local parishes. Two of our monks staff parishes: Fr. James Glass, OSB is Pastor at St. Therese' parish in Farmville and Fr. Adrian Harmenning, OSB is Pastor at St. Joseph's Parish in Richmond.

Chaplaincy

Monks do chaplaincy work at various convents in the area. In addition, monks also occassionally do chaplaincy work at the Langley airforce base, Virginia. One of our monk studying in Rome also serves at US military base outside of Rome.

Spiritual Direction and Counselling

Monks are always available to individuals who come to the abbey seeking spiritual direction, confession, or counselling.

Direct Mail Office

Monks operate a direct mail office from which they solicit funds to support our various apostolates.

Tailor Shop

The Abbey tailor shop is operated by one of the monks. The monastic habits and liturgical vestments for the brothers are all custom made at the abbey. One of our monks is a highly skilled tailor who operates the abbey tailor shop.

Global Mission Outreach

As Jesus does, St. Benedict also encourages to be in solidarity with the poor: "As long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me" (Mt 25:40). Monks at the Abbey have responded to this call by supporting programs that create opportunities for education and sustainable development for AIDS orphans, youth, women and underprivilleged families in Uganda rural communities.

Abbey Daily Upkeep

Community life involves working for self-sustanance of the monastery. Monks are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their home, the abbey. Therefore, our monks engage in work around the abbey, such as: kitchen work, house keeping, grounds work, garden work, library work, Sacristy work, administrative work, etc.