About St. Joseph's Abbey · Spencer, Massachusetts
St. Joseph's Abbey is a cloistered Roman Catholic monastery of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (popularly known as Trappists), located on a hillside north of the town of Spencer, Massachusetts. The community of monks follows the Rule of St. Benedict in a life of silence, solitude, prayer, and work, dedicating themselves to the praise and worship of God. Although the monks are primarily contemplative, they also support themselves and serve others through several monastic industries — most famously Trappist Preserves (jams and jellies made since 1954) and the Holy Rood Guild (liturgical vestments) — and they welcome lay guests for private retreats informed by the rhythm of the Liturgy of the Hours and daily Mass. The abbey falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Worcester and is best known to many Catholics worldwide as the home of Fr. Thomas Keating and the birthplace of the Centering Prayer movement.
- Established
- 1950 (Spencer); community founded 1825 in Nova Scotia
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Dom Vincent (Vincent) Rogers, O.C.S.O. — Abbot (elected July 23, 2020). The community is led by an Abbot rather than a parish pastor; the Vocation Director is listed as Father James on the official site.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Worcester, Massachusetts
Why belong here
St. Joseph's Abbey is not a typical parish but a cloistered Trappist monastery, yet it is very much a place for lay Catholics and seekers. The monks welcome guests to join them for the Liturgy of the Hours and daily Mass in the abbey church, and the small adjoining Retreat House (eleven private rooms) hosts two retreats a week — a Monday-afternoon-to-Friday-morning midweek retreat ($500) and a Friday-afternoon-to-Sunday weekend retreat ($250) — built around silence, the full monastic prayer schedule, conferences by a monk, optional conversation, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. For those drawn to the contemplative tradition, the abbey is a living link to the Centering Prayer movement of Thomas Keating, William Meninger, and Basil Pennington. Visitors can also support the monks by purchasing Trappist Preserves, Holy Rood Guild vestments, or other goods from the Abbey Gift Shop on Route 31.
Mass times at St. Joseph's Abbey
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Available to retreatants during scheduled retreats by arrangement with the Guest Master or retreat director.
Adoration times
- Vigils (Office of Readings) — 3:30 AM daily
- Lauds (Morning Prayer) — 6:00 AM weekdays / 6:40 AM weekends
- None (Mid-afternoon Prayer) — 2:00 PM daily
- Vespers (Evening Prayer) — 5:40 PM daily
- Compline (Night Prayer) — 7:40 PM daily
- Solemn Vespers & Benediction — 5:10 PM on Sundays, Easter, Christmas
Our History
The community traces its roots to 1825 in Nova Scotia, moved to Cumberland, Rhode Island in 1900, and settled at Spencer, Massachusetts in 1950 after a second fire. The history pages on the abbey's website tell the story across three eras — the Nova Scotia origins, Our Lady of the Valley in Rhode Island (1900–1950), and Saint Joseph's Abbey itself (1950–present). The Spencer site was chosen after the monks purchased Alta Crest Farms in 1949; eighty monks took possession on December 23, 1950, and the first Mass in the new abbey church was celebrated on August 15, 1953.
- 1825 — founded at Tracadie, Nova Scotia by Vincent de Paul Merle
- 1892 — fire at the Canadian monastery
- 1900 — move to Cumberland, Rhode Island (Our Lady of the Valley)
- 1949 — purchase of Alta Crest Farms, Spencer, Massachusetts
- 1950 — eighty monks take possession of Saint Joseph's Abbey on December 23
- 1953 — first Mass in the new abbey church (August 15)
- Daughter houses founded in Virginia, Colorado, Argentina, and Chile
Abbots of Saint Joseph's Abbey
The community is led by an abbot elected by the monks. The succession at Spencer begins with Dom Edmund Futterer (first abbot, 1945–1961), whose vision drove the move to Spencer and the burst of new foundations. His successor, Dom Thomas Keating (1961–1981), became world-famous for Centering Prayer. Three abbots have served since: Dom Augustine Roberts, Dom Damian Carr (1996–2020), and the present abbot, Dom Vincent Rogers, elected July 23, 2020.
- Dom Edmund Futterer, O.C.S.O. (1901–1984) — first abbot, 1945–1961
- Dom Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O. (1923–2019) — 1961–1981
- Dom Paschal Skutecky, O.C.S.O. (1920–2000) — brief term
- Dom Augustine Roberts, O.C.S.O. — 1984–1996
- Dom Damian Carr, O.C.S.O. — 1996–2020
- Dom Vincent Rogers, O.C.S.O. — 2020–present (6th abbot)
The Life of the Monks
The monks live a contemplative life under the Rule of St. Benedict, in silence and solitude, dedicating themselves to the praise and worship of God. Their day is structured around the Liturgy of the Hours and periods of work, reading, and private prayer. The community describes itself as 'lovers of the Rule and of the place,' echoing the founders of the Cistercian Order in 1098.
- Order: Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists / O.C.S.O.)
- Rule of St. Benedict, reformed through the Cistercians (1098) and La Trappe (1664)
- Daily Liturgy of the Hours sung in choir
- Public Mass daily in the Abbey Church
Our Day — The Monastic Horarium
The monks' day is anchored by the Liturgy of the Hours. Vigils (the Office of Readings) are prayed in the dark of night at 3:30 AM; Lauds (morning prayer) is followed by Mass at 6:00 AM on weekdays and 6:40 AM on weekends; None at 2:00 PM; Vespers at 5:40 PM; and Compline at 7:40 PM. Solemn Vespers with Benediction is celebrated at 5:10 PM on Sundays and great feasts.
- 3:30 AM — Vigils
- 6:00 AM (weekdays) / 6:40 AM (weekends) — Lauds & Mass
- 2:00 PM — None
- 5:40 PM — Vespers
- 7:40 PM — Compline
Retreats at St. Joseph's Abbey
The Abbey operates a small Retreat House with eleven private rooms (each with private bath, linens provided), adjoining the monastery. Two retreats are offered each week: a midweek retreat (Monday afternoon to Friday morning, $500) and a weekend retreat (Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, $250). Retreatants share in Lauds, Mass, and Vespers in the church and pray the other hours from side chapels, with conferences given by a monk and the option of private conversation or the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Two retreats per week: midweek (Mon p.m.–Fri a.m.) and weekend (Fri p.m.–Sun p.m.)
- Cost: $500 midweek / $250 weekend (non-refundable $100 deposit)
- Reservations up to four months in advance; office hours 9–11:30 AM and 1:30–5 PM
- Reservations: 508-885-8710 / [email protected]
- No internet access; guests encouraged to leave devices at home
- Not handicap accessible — many steps and a ~quarter-mile walk to the church
Centering Prayer and the Contemplative Tradition
Spencer is the birthplace of the modern Centering Prayer movement. Beginning in the 1970s, Abbot Thomas Keating, together with monks William Meninger and Basil Pennington, hosted retreats at the abbey to teach a contemplative method of prayer drawing on the desert tradition and the Cloud of Unknowing. This tradition remains a living part of the abbey's identity and retreat ministry.
- Developed by Thomas Keating, William Meninger, and Basil Pennington
- Rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition (desert fathers, Cloud of Unknowing)
- Shared with retreatants through conferences and the abbey's retreat program
We Live by the Work of Our Hands — Monastic Industries
Work is an essential part of Cistercian life. At Spencer three major industries employ most of the monks and provide for their livelihood and care of the poor: Trappist Preserves, The Holy Rood Guild, and (until 2022) Spencer Brewery.
- Trappist Preserves — jams, jellies, conserves since 1954
- The Holy Rood Guild — handmade liturgical vestments, 50+ years
- Spencer Brewery — Trappist ale, 2013–2022 (closed)
Trappist Preserves
In the autumn of 1954 the monks who worked in the Abbey herb garden decided to make a batch of mint jelly, which was sold at the Porter's Lodge. The enthusiastic response led to experiments with other fruits and eventually to the founding of Trappist Preserves, which by 2005 was producing 1.7 million jars in 26 flavors a day and contributing about half of the income needed to run the abbey. The preserves are sold in supermarkets across the United States, particularly in New England, and through the Abbey Gift Shop.
- Started 1954 by Brother John Berchmans with mint from the Abbey herb garden
- Sold nationally; flagship product of the abbey
- Mail-order through Monastery Greetings (800-472-0425)
The Holy Rood Guild
Founded over fifty years ago, The Holy Rood Guild creates vesture of beauty and distinction for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. Drawing on the Cistercian founders' description of themselves as 'those intent on Beauty,' the Guild produces handmade liturgical vestments that have served parishes and communities across the country. Dom Vincent Rogers, now the sixth abbot, directed the Guild for many years before becoming cellarer.
- Handmade liturgical vestments
- 50+ years of production
- Former director: Fr. Vincent Rogers (now Abbot)
Spencer Brewery (2013–2022)
In 2010 the abbey began exploring the possibility of brewing Trappist beer, taking advice from brewers in Boston and several European Trappist breweries. Spencer Trappist Ale — a 6.5% blonde ale — became the first and only certified Trappist beer brewed in the United States. In May 2022, citing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the saturation of the New England craft market (600+ craft breweries in the region), the abbey ceased beer production and closed Spencer Brewery.
- First U.S. certified Trappist beer
- Flagship brew: Spencer Trappist Ale (blonde, 6.5% ABV)
- Closed May 2022
Abbey Gift Shop
Located at the entrance to the monastery on Route 31, the Abbey Gift Shop carries the full range of Trappist Preserves as well as food products from Trappist communities across the country (chocolates, caramels, fruitcake, fudge, honey), religious art and devotional objects, Catholic books, and ceramics, artwork, and photographs by monks of the abbey.
- On Route 31 at the monastery entrance
- Carries Trappist goods from monasteries nationwide
- Religious art, devotional objects, Catholic books
Holy Week and Christmas Liturgies
The abbey keeps a particularly solemn celebration of Holy Week and Christmas, with extended Vigils and Solemn Masses that visitors are welcomed to attend. Christmas features Vigils at 12:50 AM followed by Solemn Mass at Midnight on Christmas Eve, and a Solemn Day Mass at 11:00 AM on Christmas Day. The back of the abbey church is opened for these liturgies, with guests directed through the wooden gate to the right of the church porch.
- Christmas Eve: Solemn Vigils 12:50 AM, Solemn Mass 2:00 AM
- Christmas Day: Solemn Mass 11:00 AM
- Palm Sunday: Solemn Mass with blessing of palms
- Holy Thursday: Solemn Mass of the Lord's Supper, 4:00 PM, with procession to Altar of Repose
- Good Friday: Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, 3:00 PM
- Holy Saturday: Solemn Paschal Vigil Mass, 3:00 AM
- Easter Sunday: Mass at 11:00 AM
Planning for an Abbey Retreat
Practical guidance for guests: silence and solitude are an essential part of the retreat atmosphere, so guests are asked not to bring computers or portable devices. Three meals are provided daily (continental breakfast, main midday meal, light supper after Vespers), though special dietary needs cannot be accommodated. No one is permitted to enter the monastic enclosure; members of the community are normally not available to meet retreatants outside the retreat program.
- Dress code: no shorts or sleeveless shirts in the Abbey Church
- Meals: breakfast after morning Mass, main meal at noon, supper after Vespers
- Monastic enclosure is closed to guests
- Contact the Guest Master (not individual monks) for any needs
Visiting and Contact
St. Joseph's Abbey is open to the public for Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and scheduled retreats. The abbey falls within the Diocese of Worcester and is best reached via Route 31 in Spencer, Massachusetts. The main monastery phone is 508-885-8700; the Retreat House / Guest Master can be reached at 508-885-8710 (office hours 9–11:30 AM and 1:30–5 PM). Email addresses include [email protected] (general), [email protected] (retreats), and [email protected] (vocations).
- 167 North Spencer Road, Spencer, MA 01562
- Main: 508-885-8700
- Retreats / Guest Master: 508-885-8710
- Emails: monks@, retreats@, [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Dom John (Benoît)c. early 1900s
Prior/superior at Our Lady of the Valley, Cumberland, RI; led the community for thirty years before passing the burden of office.
- Dom Edmund Futterer, O.C.S.O. (1901–1984)1945–1961
First abbot; oversaw the move from Cumberland to Spencer and the founding of daughter houses in Colorado, Virginia, and South America.
- Dom Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O. (1923–2019)1961–1981
Second abbot; co-developer of Centering Prayer with William Meninger and Basil Pennington; led the community through Vatican II.
- Dom Paschal Skutecky, O.C.S.O. (1920–2000)early 1980s
Brief term, ended due to poor health.
- Dom Augustine Roberts, O.C.S.O.1984–1996
Fourth abbot; oversaw construction of the new Infirmary.
- Dom Damian Carr, O.C.S.O.1996–2020
Fifth abbot; led the community for twenty-four years.
- Dom Vincent Rogers, O.C.S.O.2020–present
Sixth and current abbot; born in Santa Monica, CA; previously directed the Holy Rood Guild and served as cellarer.