Abbey of the Hills Reviews

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Ryan Tellberg

Funny story...had a slight misunderstanding when we tried to stay here last year but the Deacon and staff were very gracious and rectified the situation by offering us a free stay....anyhow my family and myself loved it very much and I couldn't see not paying for our stay to help with the preservation of such a beautiful historical place. Met a couple of the groundskeepers whom were also very nice ...one of them actually went and brought out a paddle boat for my family to use while we were at the lake there. The Hermitage we stayed in was very relaxing with a view of the lower lake right out the window ( we stayed in St Placid ) ...aside from the lake and hiking we also made sure to tour the Abbey which was incredible ( the stained glass in the chapel is amazing ) ...we look forward to visiting again soon. Oh p.s we also met the nice cat that likes to go on hikes with people over by the cattle barn by the upper lake.

Maria Hamilton

I come here twice a year. Just as soon as I leave, I want to return. This place has magic in it's walls. I feel such comfort and love while I am here. The abbey provides a much needed spiritual oasis for harsh times such as these in our world. Also, Sylvia and Eric are extremely polite, professional, and fun! I went sledding with them this past weekend. I can't wait to return in October!!!!

Marty Spicer

I have made many visits and retreats here to this beautiful monastery since the Blue Cloud days. I was so welcomed by the Monks who lived here, I almost felt I was a part of their community. Thus it was with great pleasure that I found on a recent visit to the Abbey of the Hills that the Inn and Retreat Center has maintained much of the spirit of Blue Cloud.It is an aesthetically beautiful setting and is well kept and spacious. The rooms are clean and comfortable. There is a reverence here. I think the Monks of Blue Cloud are very pleased with what has been made of the Abbey they most lovingly built themselves.

Amy Peterson

A peaceful place to visit full of benedictine hospitality, natural beauty, and a stunning church.

Joanne Moses

Since I went to St. Michael's Indian Mission to help open a high school there as a twenty year old believing doctors' predictions that I had eighteen months to live and was disowned by my father for doing so, Blue Cloud has been my spiritual home. When Abbot Gilbert visited the mission and heard my story, he assured me, 'Joanne, you will always have a home and family at Blue Cloud!' From that day on Blue Cloud, in my heart, became my home. It was where I went to pray before making major decisions in my life. It was where I went to make retreats and find respite in a busy life. It was a place where I always felt welcomed, was treated with brotherly respect, and always found wise counsel, good fun, friendship, and genuine warmth.The natural beauty of the place enhanced by the work of the monks and the remarkable construction they accomplished in building that amazing monastery by themselves over a period of nearly twenty years is an admirable feat. I grieve over its closing as I have never grieved over any other loss: the deaths of my husband, my parents, friends, and loved ones.Living to see its closing makes me feel that I have lived too long. I weep over things that are none of my business. But I care. What will become of the cemetery? What will happen to the greenhouse that Brother Chris built in memory of Brother Gene, who built the first greenhouse and saw to it that every visitor had a fresh rose in his or her room every day? Will the new owners value the mosaic of Our Lady that graces the lay people's entrance to the church? Is there a place where the fourteen men who are left could stay together in another community? Or does God call each of them to special work? Each of them is so gifted in so many ways. The younger ones may be called to places where their gifts will have wider exposure.Only God can know the reason this is happening. Maybe we in America don't deserve a place like Blue Cloud. We're too imbued with materialism to follow a vocation that calls for so much dedication. Though I accept God's will, the ache in my heart is overwhelming, and my tears won't stop flowing.My cherished moments there will live in my memory and in the plethora of pictures I've downloaded from every site on the subject I could find (besides the photographs I took there over the years. I will always cherish the one of my Irish Wolfhound, Molly, standing beside a field of grain, her coat blowing in the direction of the grain).. Father Stan's list of readings will keep me busy for many years. I wish I could be with the community for their farewell celebration on August 5, but there is no way financially that I could aford to get there from Tonga.So I will celebrate and grieve from the other side of the world and hope to find some record of that day on the internet.

Steve Olson

A great place to rent out or just go visit

Shelly S

Connor Schreck

Marvin

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