FAQs
Mass, Prayer & Worship
Mass is celebrated at 12:00 noon Monday through Saturday, and at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays. All are welcome to join the Monastic Community in the Abbey Church. For a full schedule and any holiday changes, visit the Mass / Prayer Times page.
Our days follow the Benedictine rhythm of prayer and work. The weekday schedule is:
Monday–Saturday: 6:30 am Vigils · 7:45 am Lauds · 12:00 noon Mass · 5:15 pm Vespers · 7:45 pm Compline (replaced by Sunday Vigils on Saturday night)
Sundays: 7:30 am Lauds · 9:30 am Mass · 12:45 pm Midday Prayer · 5:15 pm Vespers · 7:45 pm Compline.
Visitors are welcome at any of these services. No registration is needed — simply arrive a few minutes early.
Mass Cards (Spiritual Enrollments) and Mass Intentions are available in the Abbey Gift & Bookstore during open hours, or online any time at shop.glastonburyabbey.org. To order by phone, call 781-749-2155 ext. 342. We also welcome general prayer requests through the Prayer Request form on our website — the monks remember these intentions in their daily prayer.
No. People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to join us for Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, and to spend quiet time in the Abbey Church. Everyone is invited to be present, to pray, and to receive a blessing.
Visiting the Abbey & Life of a Monk
Glastonbury Abbey is at 16 Hull Street, Hingham, Massachusetts — about 25 minutes south of Boston on the South Shore. The main phone is 781-749-2155, and the email is information@glastonburyabbey.org. Visit our Map & Directions page directions, parking information, and a downloadable property map.
All are welcome to visit, walk the grounds, sit in the Abbey Church, or pray in the quiet of our wooded paths — no appointment needed, regardless of faith or background. For more on what to expect when you arrive, see our Visit page.
A Benedictine monk is a Catholic man who has committed his life to seeking God in community, under the Rule of St. Benedict — a sixth-century guide that orders the day around prayer, work, study, and hospitality. At Glastonbury Abbey, the monks live this tradition together: praying together five times a day, sharing meals and labor, sharing community with men and women and welcoming guests as Christ. As a disciple of Christ, he guides people to be living members of Christ’s church.
Each day unfolds at a faithful, unhurried rhythm: shared prayer, meaningful work, common meals, sacred reading (lectio divina), and quiet time to listen. Some monks teach, lead retreats, or provide spiritual direction; others work in administration, in the bookstore, or in caring for the grounds and community. Benedictine life isn't about perfection. It's about showing up each day with humility, openness, and trust that God is present in ordinary moments.
Benedictines profess three vows: stability (commitment to this specific monastic community for life), obedience (listening to God through the abbot and the community), and conversatio morum — fidelity to the monastic way of life, a daily commitment to ongoing conversion of heart.
Both. The monastic vocation is the primary calling for every member of the community, ordained or not. Some monks are also ordained priests and assist with sacramental and pastoral ministry. Others serve the community as brothers. You can meet the community on the Meet the Monks page.
Vocations & Discernment
We're glad you're listening. The journey usually begins with a quiet, persistent desire to give one's life fully to God in community and at Glastonbury Abbey. That desire takes shape through prayer, work, fraternity, and stability in the Benedictine tradition. The best first step is to begin a conversation with our Vocation Director. Visit the Vocations section of the site to learn how a vocation unfolds and the stages of formation, or contact our Vocation Director directly.
We welcome Roman Catholic unmarried men who feel drawn to a life of prayer, community, silence, and simplicity. Discernment is personal and there is a guided process. Most men begin with visits, a conversation with the Vocation Director, and time in prayer before any formal step is taken.
Monastic Experience “Come & See” Weekends are offered for Roman Catholic men sensing a call to a deeper experience with God. You'll join the community for prayer, meals, conversation, and time in the silence of monastic life. It’s a chance to see whether this path resonates with you. Upcoming weekends are listed under Retreat Offerings on the About Retreats page. To learn more or register, contact the Vocation Director.
Yes — through our Oblate program. Oblates are Christian women and men of many walks of life who associate themselves with the monastic community. They seek to live the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict in the world. Oblates pray with the community, gather for formation, and find a spiritual home at the Abbey. See the Oblates page to learn more.
There are also many other ways to become involved in the life of the Abbey through outreach, service, and liturgical ministries. Learn more about opportunities to participate by visiting our Abbey Outreach & Ministries page.
Retreats & Conference Center
The Monks offer a mix of guided group retreats, self-directed individual stays, and seasonal programs that follow the rhythm of the liturgical year. Some retreats are silent, while others include conferences or guided reflection. All are rooted in the Benedictine tradition of prayer, study, and hospitality. The current Retreat offerings are listed on the About Retreats page.
The setting is peaceful, the pace is unhurried, and hospitality is attentive but unobtrusive. Guests are welcome to join the monks for the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass or to keep a personal rhythm of prayer and rest. There is space for listening — to God, to your own heart, and to what is unfolding in your life.
Everyone is welcome. In the Benedictine tradition, every guest is received as Christ, regardless of background or faith. Our retreats are open to individuals and groups of all backgrounds who are seeking time apart for prayer, reflection, and renewal.
In addition to attending scheduled retreats, individuals and organizations may also host their own retreat gatherings at the Abbey. Visit the Retreats page of our website to learn more about retreat opportunities, accommodations, and hosting a retreat at Glastonbury Abbey.
Register online through the Retreat Sign-Up page, or visit our Programs and Retreats page to register for a specific program. Most retreats fill quickly, so we encourage early registration. For questions, call the Retreat Office at 781-749-2155 ext. 300 or email retreats@glastonburyabbey.org.
We offer two retreat houses on the Abbey grounds: Stonecrest Retreat House and Whiting House. Retreat house and accommodation details are available on the About Retreats page of our website.
Our retreat houses have stairs and no elevator. The main floor of Stonecrest Retreat House is accessible. If mobility is a concern, please contact the Retreat Office before registering so we can talk through your needs and find the best arrangement.
Yes. The Morcone Conference Center on the Abbey grounds welcomes a wide range of gatherings — day retreats, conferences and workshops, board meetings and planning sessions, lectures, celebrations, and community or nonprofit events. The Center offers meeting and conference rooms, comfortable common and breakout areas, accessible facilities, and ample parking. For early questions about space, availability, and logistics, contact our Retreat Office or call 781-749-2155 ext. 300, and submit an Event Application on the Conference Center page.
Programs & Pilgrimages
The Glastonbury Abbey Institute hosts ongoing programs that bring the Benedictine tradition into conversation with contemporary life including Listening to Other Voices which is an interfaith lecture series and also provides spiritual and educational resources for individual and group study. Current offerings and dates are available through the Programs portal.
Yes. Since 1999, Glastonbury Abbey has led pilgrimages to sacred sites across Europe and the Holy Land. These are shared spiritual journeys, not tours. Each pilgrimage includes Mass and shared prayer. There is time for reflection and conversation, and visits to historically and spiritually significant sites. All are shaped by the Benedictine rhythm of prayer and community. Our next pilgrimage is to England in September 2026; details are on the Pilgrimages page.
Columbarium & End-of-Life
The Columbarium at Glastonbury Abbey is a sacred resting place on our grounds, established together with members of our extended community for those who hoped for a final resting place here. Set beside the monastic cemetery, the columbaria are low stone walls nestled into peaceful alcoves — a dignified and contemplative space for the interment of cremated remains.
The Columbarium Committee oversees the full process — expression of interest, contractual agreement and application, scheduling the opening and closing of the niche, and ongoing care of the grounds. A detailed brochure and application is available on the Columbarium page. For questions or guidance with the application, call the Columbarium Office at 781-749-2155 ext. 371.
Bookstore & Supporting the Abbey
Books, gifts, devotional items, Mass cards, enrollments in the Mass Guild and seasonal selections are all available through the Abbey Gift & Bookstore.
The Abbey Gift & Bookstore is open:
Monday–Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (closed 11:45 – 12:45 for Mass)
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (closed 11:45 – 12:45 for Mass)
Sunday: 10:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Reach the bookstore at 781-749-2155 ext. 210 or contact our Bookstore Manager. Mass cards and enrollments in the Mass Guild can also be ordered online any time at shop.glastonburyabbey.org.
There are many ways to support the life and ministry of the Abbey: by attending Mass and prayer, making a retreat or pilgrimage, becoming an Oblate, requesting a Mass card or enrollment, shopping at the bookstore, hosting an event at the Morcone Conference Center, and through direct financial gifts. Visit the Donations page to give online, or call the Abbey office at 781-749-2155 x343 for other ways to give.