Redwoods Monastery

Redwoods Monastery is a Roman Catholic Cistercian community nestled in the redwoods of Northern California. Founded in 1962 by sisters from Belgium, the monastery offers a contemplative lifestyle centered on prayer, work, and hospitality. Visitors can attend Sunday Mass and participate in silent retreats about-us.

Redwoods Monastery, established in 1962, is a contemplative Cistercian community of Roman Catholic women located in the remote Lost Coast of Northern California. The sisters live a life of prayer, manual labor, and hospitality, rooted in the traditions of the Cistercian Order founded in 1098. The monastery is known for its commitment to simplicity and a deep connection with nature, which profoundly influences their spiritual life about-us.

The daily life at Redwoods Monastery is marked by silence, communal prayer, and manual work. The sisters follow a schedule that includes the divine office, daily Eucharist, and lectio divina, complemented by periods of meditation and silent prayer. Their worship is characterized by a focus on the Rule of Saint Benedict, which emphasizes balance and mindfulness in all activities our-way-of-life.

The monastery offers Sunday Mass to the public, which is open to visitors. The community also provides silent retreats and vocational discernment programs for those interested in exploring a monastic lifestyle connect-with-us. The sisters welcome visitors with hospitality, and the guest house is available for retreats, though reservations are required in advance connect-with-us.

Facilities include a chapel, guest house, and a gift shop offering honey and other handmade items. The monastery's location among ancient redwoods and Douglas fir trees creates a serene and contemplative environment, making it a unique place for spiritual reflection and community engagement about-us.

Redwoods Monastery offers a tranquil haven for spiritual reflection, blending contemplative Cistercian traditions with the serene beauty of Northern California’s redwood forest. First-time visitors will notice the quiet, welcoming hospitality of the sisters and the simplicity of their lifestyle, centered on prayer and manual labor. The chapel’s cathedral ceiling and the towering redwoods nearby create a peaceful atmosphere that invites introspection and connection to nature.

Pros

• Welcoming hospitality with personal greetings after services
• Serene redwood forest setting ideal for quiet reflection
• Clear Sunday Mass schedule open to the public
• Facilities include a guest house and gift shop for visitors
• Emphasis on simplicity and nature in spiritual practice
• Opportunities for silent retreats and vocational discernment

Cons

• Remote location on the Lost Coast may limit accessibility
• Limited service times beyond Sunday Mass are not explicitly detailed
• Guest house reservations required in advance for retreats
• No explicit mention of family or children’s ministries
• Small community size may mean fewer social or group activities
• Website provides minimal details on periodic retreat schedules