Our Lady Of Clear Creek Abbey

Having once been a monk, I know monasteries. This place is as good as it gets, mutatis mutandis.
These monks came from the famed Fontgombault Abbey in France, part of the Solesmes Congregation of Benedictine monks who are known for their pristine Gregorian Chant. They celebrate Mass using the 1962 Missal, so it’s entirely in Latin as are the rest of the prayers using the ancient formulas.
WHY VISIT?
Visit because there is simply nothing else like it in the country! They are a young, vibrant community living strictly their vow of conversatio morum which includes evangelical poverty. Benedictine monastic spirituality isn’t full of fluff and pious platitudes. So if you are seeking some guidance, some spiritual advice, you will get practicality here, more verbs, less adverbs and adjectives. Benedictine monastic spirituality accepts you as you are, and helps you become more human, thus more alive, and therefore, more at peace.
Gang…go, have a look around. This is the life that LITERALLY BUILT WESTERN CIVILIZATION! This order of monks gave us schools, libraries, musical notation, hotels, travel, basic economic principles that allowed for the growth of farms which allowed for the development of towns, cities, and urban living. It inspired art, music and architecture. No exaggeration.
Their architecture is stunningly «sturdy» simple, and beautiful. They are developing a classical Romanesque abbey church, garth, and monastery. Their chant is beautiful.
I remember meeting the founding abbot as they were being established when Pope John Paul II came to St. Louis and I was in charge of the Papal Chapel and all bishops and prelates back in 1999. I can’t believe that they have come this far since that time.
Whether your religious or not
Catholic or not
Christian or not
Spiritual or not
you’ll like this place, I promise.
That said, I wouldn’t come here for your honeymoon.

Benedictine monastery that is being built in the Diocese of Tulsa. They have done quite a bit of work since they located there in 1999. The church portion of the complex is standing there, but, they had Mass in the basement when I was there. There is a big building next to the church which I assume are living quarters. They don’t have much heat, if any, and it is pretty cold for someone used to central heat. I think the construction is supposed to be such that it maintains habitable temperatures. If I can see the inside of the Abbey, I might give it more stars. They are doing hand chiseled figures on the frieze at the entry.
They have an interesting website which is helpful to study before going, after all, it is a monastery, not a tourist attraction!
They welcome visitors and are invited to assist at Mass and some of the «Hours» of Divine Office.
Low mass 6:35 to 6:45
(Sunday around 7:00)
Prime @ 8:00 am
Sung High Mass @ 10:00 am preceded by Terce
Sext @ 12:50 pm
None @ 2:35 pm weekdays, 3:00 pm Sunday and Holy Days
Vespers @ 6:00 pm during week, 5 pm on Sunday and Holy Days
Benediction of the blessed Sacrament follows Vespers on Sundays and Holy Days