Haven of peace. That’s what the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Chicago offers. It stands as a contemplative community. Monks seek God here through prayer. They embrace silence. They engage in work and offer hospitality.
The Monastery of the Holy Cross’s story began in the mid-1980s. Three missionary priests sought to address modern evangelization challenges. They valued a strong liturgical life. They also saw the need for a witnessing community. Thus, the Monastery of the Holy Cross was founded in 1988. Its mission shifted from the developing world. It aimed to serve the modern “desert” of the city. Violence, alienation, and spiritual poverty marked this new mission field.
In 1990, Joseph Cardinal Bernadin invited the community to Chicago. He envisioned an oasis of silence and prayer. He wanted witnesses to the contemplative life. In 2000, the monastery joined the Benedictine tradition. It became a dependent house of the Abbey of Christ in the Desert. This abbey is in New Mexico. From modest beginnings, the community grew. It now includes eight monks. In December 2011, the monastery gained autonomous status. Bruno Marin, OSB, elevated it. He was the former Abbot President of their congregation.
The Monastery of the Holy Cross has several activities. It hosts Solemn Vespers liturgies in Latin. These feature Gregorian chant. They include Renaissance masterworks and new compositions. This is a collaboration with Schola Laudis. Schola Laudis is their professional choir-in-residence.
The monastery also serves as a spiritual home. This is for a community of secular oblates. Currently, it has more than 60 members. They meet monthly. The guesthouse has three private apartments. Guests can reserve a room for retreat. Families can reserve an entire apartment.
The Monastery of the Holy Cross operates a small gift shop. It sells books, CDs, rosaries, and icons. You can also find monastic-made food and gift items. They are the exclusive local distributor for Abbey Caskets. These are simple wooden caskets and crematory urns. St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana makes them.
The community faced poverty in its early days. Friends from rural Minnesota provided truckloads of potatoes. These helped the brothers through the winter. Initially, they lacked choir stalls. The monks prayed standing or kneeling on the floor. They had to beg when the church’s boiler failed. It was the beginning of winter.
Over time, the community stabilized. They sought affiliation with the Subiaco Congregation. The Abbey of Christ in the Desert assisted in their Benedictine formation. During this time, the monks worked in various roles. They served as chaplains. They did computer work. They welcomed travelers.
The Monastery of the Holy Cross also offers a unique bed and breakfast. It is located in a working-class neighborhood. Guests can hear Gregorian chants from their rooms. The monks took over a closed parish in 1989. They found a way to sustain themselves.
Living a contemplative life is central. Hospitality is a key aspect of the monks’ vocation. They strive to treat all guests like Christ. The monastery stands as a testament to faith. It is a beacon of peace in Chicago. It reflects the belief that heaven is the ultimate goal.
So next time you are in Chicago, remember to visit the Monastery of the Holy Cross. You can experience its unique blend of urban monasticism. You might find a moment of peace. You could discover a deeper connection to the divine.