One of the great Catholic treasures of Southern California is St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange County, south of Los Angeles (and, ironically, not far from the mega-campus of Saddleback Church).
Situated on top of a hill, St. Michael’s encompasses a church, gardens, housing for the Norbertines in various states of formation — from postulants to priests — and a live-in school for boys. A new location is under construction in a nearby area that’s more geologically stable, with the current location probably to be turned into a retreat center.
The public can visit the Abbey and attend Mass there (I took the photo above after attending Mass on New Year’s Day 2015). Click here to learn more.
This 2009 video tells the story of the Order, the Abbey and the glorious Gregorian chant they perform and record.
And here’s a brief look inside the Abbey’s life and mission:
Image: St. Michael’s Abbey Church (courtesy Kate O’Hare)
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