Holy Cross Monastery is a §501(c)(3) organization under the Federal Tax Code. Your donations are tax-deductible.

For the past week we have been trying to get systems up and operating, but it is a slow task. Kindly bear with us if we cannot respond as quickly as you/we might like. We appreciate your calls and prayers, and will keep you updated here as things happen. Blessings to all. We have added a donate button above if you would like to support the Monastery's continuing mission to be a place of prayer and refuge to the whole community.

For the past week we have been busy surveying the damage to the Retreat House and Monastery and salvaging whatever is possible. We traded our habits for hazmat suits as we went into the buildings. We are temporarily living in a Rectory in Silsbee. The address is above. We shall have a donate button on the website soon, if you wish to make a donation. We appreciate your prayers and support.

The Retreat House is closed until further notice and all events are cancelled. More information will be forthcoming as we are apprised of what is happening. Below you see some of the damage wreaked by the floodwaters, which reached about 8 feet high inside every building. If you click on an image you can view an enlarged version of the snapshots here.

On August 29, 2017 we were forced to evacuate our location because the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey started to enter all the buildings. We went north to Dallas, where we stayed with friends until the water subsides. Calls to the Monastery are being forwarded to us if you need to contact us. To the left is a video taken on August 30th, where it shows the waters reaching a height of c. 9 feet. We anticipate a total loss of the Monastery. We shall keep you posted as often as we can on the state of affairs here. We appreciate your prayers and calls of support.

Boundaries, walls, and the faith of a woman. Matthew 15:21-28

Our job. Matthew 14:22-33

The Real World. Matthew 17:1-9

We celebrated the Easter Vigil with community and friends on the holiest night of the year.

On Saturday, February 18th, Randy Bratsven of Houston became an Oblate Novice of the Community. Please remember him in prayer as he discerns his call.

On Saturday, January 21st, Long Nguyen of Chicago became an Oblate of the Community. Please keep him in your prayer.

On Saturday, December 11th, Ann Normand became an Oblate of the Monastery. Please keep this newest member of the Community in your prayer.

On Saturday, November 19th, Gary Normand, Susan Parada and Matt Watson (standing at center) became Oblates of the Monastery. We welcome them into our Community and wish them every blessing as they deepen their faith commitments as Benedictine Christians.

On Saturday, September 17th, the feast of St. Hildegard, Kay Porter of Nacogdoches became an Oblate Novice of the Community. Please remember her in prayer as she discerns her call.

This article (click on image) by Jane McBride about the Monastery was published in the December VIP Magazine of the Beaumont Enterprise.

If you have any questions or are interested in the Oblate program, click here for a brochure of the Oblate program or write to us. Our next Oblate meeting is August 20th. Oblate Spring is a website of resources to answer your initial questions about oblate monasticism. A helpful feature is the page devoted to Benedictine Oblate Newsletters & Programs. The Oblate Spring website also includes The Oblate Blog.