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 9:00 AM to 5:30 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 accommodates for men. All retreatants must bring their own bed sheets and pillow cases to use during their stay the Retreat Center.
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 repsonsible for the monastery before doing so. Thank you for your cooperation.
If you will stay more than two weeks, you are required to submit a permission letter from your father of confession explaining why you will be spending an extended period at the Abbey prior to your booking.
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.
If your final flight destination is not Corpus Christi, you will need to book a bus ticket to Corpus Christi West 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.
Please note: Any female retreatant coming alone and staying at a local hotel, for the sole purpose of visiting the Abbey, is only permitted to visit the Abbey once for a day visit. Daylight visitors should leave immediately after Vespers prayers. 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.
- If you fly in, we will pick you up and drop you off at the airport in Corpus Christi.
- We will only pick up and drop off visitors at the Greyhound bus stop at W Corpus Christi Stripes. Please see details here.
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.
