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Seeking God at this place of New Clairvaux, we are a community of Cistercian monks living the Rule of Saint Benedict. We witness God’s love for the world according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ by a life of prayer, labor, and sustainable stewardship of our resources in a simplicity and openness to the signs of the times. Our monastery welcomes all people in the spirit of hospitality, and engages others in collaborative relationships.

Chapter Talks

In his role as Christ’s representative in the monastery, the Abbot delivers his teaching to the monks through weekly Chapter Talks.  These conferences are given in the Chapter Room where monks traditionally gathered to listen to a reading from a chapter of the Rule of Saint Benedict.  We’ve uploaded the Abbot’s talks here so that you too may find a source of inspiration to live out your faith journey.

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 58

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 57

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 56

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 54

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 53

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 52

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 51

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 50

Tools for Good Works – Tools No. 48-49

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 47

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 46

Tools for Good Works – Tools No. 44-45

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 43

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 42

Tools for Good Works – Tools No. 37-38

Tools for Good Works – Tools No. 35-36

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 32

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 31

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 30

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 29

Tools for Good Works – Tools No. 27-28

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 26

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 25

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 24

Tools for Good Works – Tool No. 23

 

Digital Display Board

Our Digital Display Board was installed in the Ovila Room, which is next to the New Clairvaux Vineyard Tasting Room. This interactive board allows us to give updated recognition to the countless individuals and organizations who have supported our construction projects.

The board also has an array of information regarding the Abbey, the individual monks, photos, videos, and timelines. As of April 2023, this board is now accessible via our website here as well.   *If there are any comments, questions, or corrections to be made, please reach out to us at development@newclairvaux.org or (530) 839-2161.   

View the Digital Display board

Throughout the year, the Abbey of New Clairvaux receives a number of guests who stay for private retreats.  Even a short stay or visit here may inspire profound reflections and realizations.  The monks dedicate this space to those who have made retreats here at the Abbey.  We extend an invitation to our guests to share their thoughts and reflections on how their time at the Abbey has helped them in their spiritual journey.

If any of our guests on retreat would like to share a short written reflection, an essay, prose or poem, please fill-in the request form on the button below.  NB:  All submissions are subject to a process of review by a team of monks.  Final approvals are granted solely by the abbot who is the superior of our monastery.

submit request

“I am coming to the end of a month-long retreat at New Clairvaux and I am dreading going back home. I live in a nice condo, a mile and a half from the ocean, in a walkable neighborhood in Southern California so seriously, why don’t I want to leave? I realize it’s because, even with the level of privilege I enjoy, the world I am returning to is not a very peaceful place…there is so much noise. There are the typical sounds of city life – traffic, doors slamming, sirens blasting, airplanes overhead, dogs barking. Yet, there are also other kinds of noise: the noise of having too much stuff; the noise of having too many choices (truly, how many kinds of peanut butter do we need); the noise of digital distractions (soooooo much content); the noise of the news (weather-related disasters, political infighting, crime); the noise of tasks and errands that need to be ticked off my To-Do list. Here, though, the noises I hear are a balm to the soul – the cry of a vulture, the rustle of the trees, the chattering of squirrels chasing each other up a tree, the sound of water burbling out of a fountain, the chanting of the monks. Here, there is The Grand Silence, when the world closes up shop for the evening so prayer, reflection, and rest can take center stage. Here, there is a quiet simplicity – few choices, a daily routine, the soothing color pallet of nature and centuries-old stone, and minimal furnishings. This lack of noise gives rise to peace, and peace gives rise to all manner of things – deep conversations, healing, discernment, clarity, and transformation. Is it any wonder that, though my life is calling me home, my heart wants to linger here.”

Julie