Guest House

Practical Information for Individuals and Groups


Our Guest House is a much-loved retreat facility in the Episcopal Church.  We estimate that about 3,000 people visit us each year. We invite you to join us. Options abound!

Retreat Programs

Focus on a particular aspect of your spiritual life, the spiritual dimensions of your interests, or explore something completely new to you. Check the full list of retreat programs here.

Day Visit

You are welcome to join us for a day visit. We are open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. Arrive for worship as early as Matins (7:00 am) and stay through Compline (7:30 pm). Spend your day relaxing and resting in our sacred setting, joining us for our main meal (dinner) at 12:30 pm (please note that there is no meal available Tuesdays at dinner time). Whether you opt for silence and solitude or chatting with other guests and monks is up to you. Please let us know in advance so our kitchen can adjust the meal count.

Suggested donation to cover the cost of meals: $15.00

Individual Retreats

Stay one or more nights, creating your retreat to connect body and mind with spirit. Our property includes walking trails, an outdoor labyrinth, and seating for taking in the view. Inside our monastery, relax in our common room with comfy seats or our library or choose one of many nooks and crannies to shift from doing to being. Our daily cycle provides structured opportunities to connect with fellow seekers and monks. Reservations are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis and weekends fill up quickly. A mid-week retreat may better suit your schedule and budget.

Suggested donation: $110 per person, Tuesday to Thursday nights; $125 per person, Friday and Saturday nights. The suggested donation covers all meals including breakfast and dinner the day of departure.

Group Retreats

We offer a superb environment for group retreats and have several different types of meeting rooms. For an additional donation, one of our monks may be able to facilitate your group sessions. Space permitting, we can also provide room for your day-long or half-day workshop. Please note that, while we make every effort to meet group needs, we are a monastic guesthouse and not a conference center. We cannot accommodate groups with complex set-up, audio-visual, or food-related needs.

To inquire about special arrangements please contact our Guesthouse Administrator, Donna Mallory at guesthouse@hcmnet.org.

Extended Stays

We have a guest area (Iona) that is perfect for artists, writers, scholars, and those on sabbatical who want to experience the sacred for several weeks or more.  First-time guests are limited to one week on their initial visit.  Extended stay housing includes a kitchenette with a small dining table, as well as a lounge area with a couch and chairs in addition to a private room and a shared bathroom. When other guests are in-house, you’ll share meals with the community. You’re on your own for meals from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. We also provide access to laundry facilities. Our Extended Stay housing is not wheelchair accessible.

Suggested donation: $500 per week, $1850/month.

Spiritual Direction

If you’re interested receiving spiritual direction or the Sacrament of Reconciliation during your visit, please mention that when making your reservation. The more advance notice you can give the brothers, the better chance that someone will be available to meet with you. Spiritual Direction is subject to the availability of the brothers.

Suggested donation: $50.

Suggested Donations & Scholarship Assistance

The suggested donation amounts listed throughout our website allow us to pay the monastery staff and our teachers fair wages as well as provide financial assistance to those who cannot afford the full suggested amount. If you’re not able to pay the full suggested donation, please speak to our Guesthouse Administrator to request assistance. If you’re able to pay more than the suggested amount, please know that your generosity will support others who cannot otherwise afford this opportunity. Everyone is welcome at Holy Cross Monastery, regardless of ability to pay.


Contact the Guest House

Donna Mallory, Guesthouse Administrator
guesthouse@hcmnet.org
Phone: 845-384-6660, ext. 1
Tuesday – Friday
10:00 am – 12:30 pm,
1:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Plan Ahead

We’re closed to the public from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon. Our Worship schedule changes on Contemplative Days. Check the retreat listings for dates.

Reserve Your Place

To make a reservation, please contact our Guesthouse Office by telephone or e-mail.