Please take a few minutes to thoroughly read and understand the rules and guidelines of St. Mary and St. Moses Abbey and that of the retreat house.

Visiting the Monastery

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 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM every 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 Retreat House accommodates men only. All retreatants must bring their own bed sheets and pillowcases to use during their stay at the Retreat Center.

The Abbey does not offer Wi-fi.

If you are driving, please note that the gate hours of operation are from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Also, those with cars who are planning to go out during the length of their stay, please notify the 'Robetta', or Economus - the Father responsible for the monastery before doing so. Thank you for your cooperation.

As much as possible, the monastery attempts to check retreat requests daily and respond accordingly. Typically, you will receive a confirmation for your request within three days after the monastery receives your permission letter. Therefore, please work with your father of confession to ensure it is submitted.

If your application is denied, you will be notified through e-mail. The Abbey reserves the right to deny any application without explaining the reasons.

DO NOT book any plane/bus tickets, until you receive a confirmation email from the retreat house stating that your registration has been approved.

If your final flight destination is not Corpus Christi, you will need to book a bus ticket to the Corpus Christi Greyhound bus station.

Permission Letter

A permission letter is required from every individual that visits the monastery for the first time. Once you submit your registration, a permission letter will be sent automatically to your father of confession via email. Please note that the registration will not be complete except if the individual's Confessor Father or the Church Priest sponsoring the overnight retreat at the Abbey has approved your retreat.

Female Retreatants

Female retreatants are allowed to stay for an overnight retreat at the Abbey only when accompanied for the whole duration of their stay by:

1) a Priest,

2) father,

3) husband,

4) brother - only if he is 18 years of age or older,

5) son - only if he is 18 years of age or older.

6) son in law.

In order for your registration to be approved and not denied, you have to provide the name of the priest that will accompany you.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful Tips:

• The Abbey's mailing address is: 101 S Vista Drive, Sandia, TX 78383 - Do NOT use for driving directions.
• The Abbey's physical address: 102 Scout's Path, Sandia, TX 78383
• Corpus Christi Airport (CRP) is approximately one (1) hour and 15 minutes, 56 miles, away from the Abbey.
• The monastery only offer rides to overnight retreatants.
• If you fly in, we will pick you up and drop you off at the airport in Corpus Christi or the Greyhound bus station in Corpus Christi.

Please read the rules and guidelines of St. Mary & St. Moses Abbey and also of the retreat center.

For registration inquiries, please contact us at (361) 236-7589 or send an email to stmarystmosesretreathouse@gmail.com

Thank you.