“Washington’s best-kept secret”, some say about St. Anselm’s Abbey. Here at St. Anselm’s Abbey, we find a Benedictine monastery. It thrives in the heart of Washington D.C.
St. Anselm’s Abbey is near the north-east boundary of the District of Columbia. It is twelve minutes by Metro from Union Station. The Capitol is twenty minutes away. Here, monks live a life of prayer. This life was established by St. Benedict, their sixth-century founder. They continue his aspirations for the glory of God. They also work toward the sanctification of the nation and world.
Imagine an urban oasis. Forty acres of secluded woodland surround St. Anselm’s Abbey. The usual sounds of the busy city are subdued. Here stands a highly regarded school. It is a middle school and high school. The values of St. Benedict and St. Anselm are proclaimed among the youth. They prepare them for lives of service. They serve God and their fellow human beings.
Monasteries are primarily places of prayer and virtuous activity. Their evangelization comes through prayer. It also comes through spiritual direction and education. You are invited to share their secret. You are invited to “come and see”.
You are invited to join the St. Anselm’s community in many ways. Explore their website. Check out the liturgy and events. You can join them in person or online. Guests are welcome. Submit a guest reservation request to visit St. Anselm’s Abbey.
Consider pursuing a vocation at St. Anselm’s. Get information about the lay oblate community. They have monthly meetings.
All members of the community at St Anselm’s are involved in prayer and work. They share in the common life of the community. Prayer is undertaken by the whole community. They pray together early in the morning. They also pray at midday, in the early evening, and at night.
Work is necessary for a balanced life. According to the Rule, “idleness is the enemy of the soul”. Tasks must be done by individual members. This is for the good of all.
Community life includes prayer and work. Even prayer undertaken individually contributes to the life of the monastery. The work of each monk contributes to the well-being of the whole community.
St. Anselm’s Priory was born. Fr. Thomas Verner Moore was the small community’s leader. He was a researcher and professor at Catholic University of America. He had degrees in medicine and psychology.
In 1930, the monks moved to a new monastery. It was atop a hill on South Dakota Avenue. Their community was thriving. Fr. Thomas knew that some students were underserved. These students were the most gifted. So, the monks established the Priory School. It was a four-year high school dedicated to scholarship.
On September 15, 1942, eighteen ninth-grade students enrolled. Fr. Austin McNamee was the Headmaster. The school soon began to grow. In 1955, the seventh and eighth grades were added. A new academic building was built. The school began using the form system. Instead of grades 7 through 12, the classes became Forms I through VI.
In 1961, the Holy See elevated the monastery to an abbey. The school’s name changed accordingly. The school continued to grow. It established itself as one of the area’s most rigorous institutions. In 1990, a sixth grade class was added. It was known as Form A.
St. Anselm’s Abbey School has continued to thrive. In 2003, the school completed a new athletic complex. It also has a performing arts center.
Today, the St. Anselm’s Abbey School community consists of young scholars. They are in Forms A through VI. There are also Benedictine and lay faculty members. More than 75 years later, the school continues its mission. It creates an atmosphere of peace. It fosters a sense of service to the community. It encourages students to work toward balance in mind, body, and spirit.