About Us

History of The Monastery

Saint Meinrad Archabbey was founded in 1854 by monks from Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland. They came to southern Indiana at the request of a local priest who was seeking help to serve the pastoral needs of the growing German-speaking Catholic population and to prepare local men to be priests.

Both of these missions remain part of Saint Meinrad’s ministry to the Roman Catholic Church, as Saint Meinrad operates a graduate seminary and school of theology and has other monks in parish work, chaplaincies and diocesan assignments.

The Benedictine community at Saint Meinrad consists of about 70 men who dedicate their lives to prayer and work. They gather in the community five times each day to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and celebrate Mass. Guests are welcome to join the monks in prayer in the Archabbey Church.

The monks live by the wisdom and guidance of the Rule of St. Benedict, the sixth-century instructions for community living written by St. Benedict.

A few years after settling in Indiana, the Benedictines began offering high school courses to local youths. In 1861, the monks expanded their general courses to include undergraduate courses in philosophy and theology.

Through these programs, the monks of Saint Meinrad began their mission, which continues today: preparing men for service in the Catholic Church as priests. The Seminary and School of Theology now also has education and formation programs for permanent deacons and lay ministers, as well as a summer liturgical leadership program for high school youth and their adult leaders.

Visit

Welcome to Saint Meinrad Archabbey! We’d love to have you visit us at our Southern Indiana location.

Join us any day for prayer or Mass in the Archabbey Church. If you have time, take a tour of our beautiful grounds and historic buildings.

*Mass and Vespers will continue to be livestreamed daily at www.saintmeinrad.org/live.

You might even want to sign up for one of the many retreats we host in our Archabbey Guest House and Retreat Center.

However long your visit, we’re glad to offer a warm welcome. It allows us to live out the words of St. Benedict, “All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ.”

Gift Shop

During your visit to Saint Meinrad Archabbey, please stop by our gift shop, which offers a selection of inspirational gifts, books, Bibles, music and DVDs.

The Monastery Blessings area features foods and gifts handcrafted from Saint Meinrad’s monastery and other monasteries across the country and the world.

Gift Shop Hours

Monday – Saturday: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM CT

Sunday: 10:30 AM to 4 PM CT