For we must always so serve him with the gifts
which he has given us.

Prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict

ne of the privileges of living within a monastic enclosure is the heightened awareness that all life is a gift from God the Father. Every activity in the monastery is ordered toward giving thanks and praise to God through the stewardship of this gift of life. Because Benedictines take a vow of stability and are committed to one place, we have the opportunity to develop a long-term relationship with a region and its people, an intimate knowledge of our environment and concern for the land a future generation will inherit.
 
e can also serve as a stable center for others seeking a place of prayer and closeness to God in the midst of the constantly shifting pressures of contemporary life. Thus our dedication to stability naturally takes two complementary expressions: stewardship and hospitality. Appreciation for all the gifts received from God gives rise to the need for their proper distribution and the desire to make them available to as many people as possible. Our care for creation is extended and ultimately fulfilled though the work of hospitality.