Angels are a light for monks, and the monastic life is a light for all men. ~Saint John Climacus
Life of Praise
What is more blessed than to imitate the chorus of angels here on earth; to arise for prayer at the very break of day and honour the Creator with hymns and songs. ~ Saint Basil the Great
Life of Thanksgiving
Lips that utter frequent thanksgivings shall be blessed by God, and the grateful heart is visited by grace. ~ St. Isaac the Syrian
Life of Repentance
This life has been given to you for repentance. Do not waste it on vain pursuits. ~ St. Isaac the Syrian
Life of Contemplation
I have seen lanterns of fire surrounding the monks and a multitude of angels with burning swords in their hands guarding them and I heard the voice of the holy God saying “Do Not Leave them as long as their ways are straight.” ~Saint Anthony the Great
The Heavenly Life
The orientation of the monk is towards heaven, towards the life of another world. For this reason they are frequently referred to as 'earthly angels'; for while dwelling on earth they live as true citizens of heaven. To visit them is to visit the earthly paradise.~The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Heaven on Earth
Indeed one who stands there at about the ninth hour can hear the psalmody issuing forth from each cell, so that he imagines himself to be high above in Paradise. ~ Palladius (Lausiac History)
Life of Prayer
As soon as they are up, they stand and sing the prophetic hymns... Neither cithara, nor syrinx, nor any other musical instrumentt emits such sound as is to be heard in the deep silence and solitude of those holy men as they sing.~ Saint John Chrysostom
St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey is a Holy Monastery of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a place of repentance and redemption for those men leading a monastic life and for the pious visitors. Yet, St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey welcomes all visitors, but through advance arrangements for those who would like to stay overnight. Daylight Visit
The Abbey's grounds are open to those who wish to visit from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM—Evening Prayers—each day.
Retreat Center Facilities
The Retreat Center's facilities include two buildings — St. Mary Hall and St. Moses Hall. St. Mary Hall, for women, contains 17 rooms and each room has four beds and a full bath. This building accommodates 70 occupants. St. Moses Hall, for men, contains 20 rooms and each room has two to four beds and a full bath. All retreatants must bring their own bed sheets and pillow cases to use during their stay the Retreat Center.
Permission Letter
A permission letter is required from every individual that visits the monastery for the first time. Retreat requests will not be acknowledged except if you have a permission letter from your father of confession.
Female Retreatants
Female retreatants are allowed at the monastery ONLY if they are accompanied for the entire duration by a priest, their husband, or brother/son of 20 years old of age or older.
Helpful Tips:
The Abbey's address is: 101 South Vista Drive, Sandia, TX 78383.
Corpus Christi Airport (CRP) is approximately one (1) hour and 15 minutes, 56 miles, away from the Abbey. Click here for driving directions from the airport.
If you fly in, you are responsible for getting to the Abbey using your own method of transportation (i.e. taxi, rental car, etc.).
The nearest Greyhound bus stop is Mathis, TX. The address is KWIK PANTRY #3, 101 HWY 359, Mathis, TX 78368; phone number is (361) 547-9200.
Angels are a light for monks, and the monastic life is a light for all men. ~Saint John Climacus
Life of Praise
What is more blessed than to imitate the chorus of angels here on earth; to arise for prayer at the very break of day and honour the Creator with hymns and songs. ~ Saint Basil the Great
Life of Thanksgiving
Lips that utter frequent thanksgivings shall be blessed by God, and the grateful heart is visited by grace. ~ St. Isaac the Syrian
Life of Repentance
This life has been given to you for repentance. Do not waste it on vain pursuits. ~ St. Isaac the Syrian
Life of Contemplation
I have seen lanterns of fire surrounding the monks and a multitude of angels with burning swords in their hands guarding them and I heard the voice of the holy God saying “Do Not Leave them as long as their ways are straight.” ~Saint Anthony the Great
The Heavenly Life
The orientation of the monk is towards heaven, towards the life of another world. For this reason they are frequently referred to as 'earthly angels'; for while dwelling on earth they live as true citizens of heaven. To visit them is to visit the earthly paradise.~The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Heaven on Earth
Indeed one who stands there at about the ninth hour can hear the psalmody issuing forth from each cell, so that he imagines himself to be high above in Paradise. ~ Palladius (Lausiac History)
Life of Prayer
As soon as they are up, they stand and sing the prophetic hymns... Neither cithara, nor syrinx, nor any other musical instrumentt emits such sound as is to be heard in the deep silence and solitude of those holy men as they sing.~ Saint John Chrysostom
The more time you spend with God, the more you become like God. If you want to attain the purity of heart,spend time with God, for he who spends time with God will become like Him.
St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey is a Holy Monastery of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a place of repentance and redemption for those men leading a monastic life and for the pious visitors. Yet, St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey welcomes all visitors, but through advance arrangements for those who would like to stay overnight.