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Q What do monks do for work?
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In addition to daily communal prayer, the monks of Saint Mary’s Abbey are engaged in a wide variety of work inside and outside the monastery.
Internally, our primary source of employment is Delbarton School, where monks serve as faculty and administrators. There are also a number of essential jobs which would be found in virtually every monastery: guestmaster, infirmarian, sacristan, and treasurer, to name a few.
Externally, monks teach on the faculty of nearby colleges or universities, conduct retreats, and serve as chaplains to convents of sisters. Saint Mary’s Abbey also has a long history of providing monks to serve as chaplains in the United States military.
These examples are but a current listing. Openness to diverse ministries for monks has been a characteristic of this Community since its inception. -
Q What are monks’ rooms like?
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Our rooms are small but comfortable, comparable to a typical dormitory room. We have a bed, a desk, a chair, and closet space. Generally, three or four monks share a common bathroom.
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Q How is the food?
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Nearly all our guests enjoy the meals here. The food at the abbey is catered by a dining service, and our diet is well-balanced.
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Q Are all the monks priests?
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Not all members of our community are priests. Some are brothers. These men profess the same vows as ordained members, and fully participate in all aspects of monastic life, but do not feel called to ordination.
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Q What is your policy with visitors?
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Day visitors are welcome to join the monks at Mass or any of our Offices in the Abbey Church (please see prayer schedule ).
Overnight visitors should contact our Retreat Center Director, Paul Cocco, (973) 538-3235, ext. 2100) to make a reservation.
Vocation guests should contact Fr. Joseph Voltaggio, OSB, Director of Vocations, [email protected] or (973) 538-3235, ext. 2027.
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