St. Mary's Monastery

St. Mary's Monastery A community of contemplative Benedictine monks in Petersham, Massachusetts, USA St. Mary's Monastery is a community of contemplative Benedictine monks.

We are a daughterhouse of Pluscarden Abbey in Scotland and members of the Subiaco-Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines. Contemplative means that we do not have any outside apostolate like a school, but our primary work is prayer - the coming together (seven times a day) in church for the the Liturgy of the Hours and the celebration of Mass, lectio divina (prayerful reading of Scripture) and pers

onal prayer. However, manual labor and hospitality (via our guesthouse) is an important part of the Benedictine charism. We celebrate the Liturgy in Latin Gregorian Chant while following the directives of the Second Vatican Council. Our Liturgy is open to the public and celebrated in conjunction with the Benedictine nuns of St. Scholastica Priory. We are "twin communities".

On May 16 our communities celebrated Abbot Anselm's 50th anniversary of vows. Ad multos annos!
06/01/2026

On May 16 our communities celebrated Abbot Anselm's 50th anniversary of vows. Ad multos annos!

Happy Easter! It does not seem to be a coincidence that Easter coincides with spring – the season of rebirth and renewal...
04/05/2026

Happy Easter! It does not seem to be a coincidence that Easter coincides with spring – the season of rebirth and renewal. The Church has long seen a relationship between the mystery of the Resurrection and the natural rhythms of time. The entire created world—sun, moon, and seasons—quietly points toward the Resurrection. The great Latin poet St. Venantius Fortunatus alludes to this in one of his hymns:

Earth her joy confesses, clothing her for spring;
All fresh gifts returned with her returning King.
Blooms in every meadow, leaves on every bow,
Speak His sorrow ended, hail His triumph now:
‘Welcome, happy morning!’ age to age shall say.

Happy Easter from all the monks of St. Mary’s!

We're happy to announce that on February 10, the feast of St. Scholastica, Father Columba Highet, OSB made his Solemn Pr...
02/16/2026

We're happy to announce that on February 10, the feast of St. Scholastica, Father Columba Highet, OSB made his Solemn Profession of vows and is now a permanent member of St. Mary's.

Address

271 N Main St, Box 345
Petersham, MA
01366

Opening Hours

Monday 5am - 8:30pm
Tuesday 5am - 8:30pm
Wednesday 5am - 8:30pm
Thursday 5am - 8:30pm
Friday 5am - 8:30pm
Saturday 5am - 8:30pm
Sunday 5am - 8:30pm

Telephone

+19787243350

Website

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