Mount Calvary is a contemplative Episcopal Benedictine Monastery. Our principal work is to provide a quality retreat experience in an atmosphere of prayerful Benedictine hospitality, with a warm welcome by the monks, good food, and an outstandingly beautiful location.
Mount Calvary Monastery was established in 1947 by Fr. Karl Tiedemann, OHC. It is a retreat and conference center of the Order of the Holy Cross. Following the destruction of our original building by fire in 2008, the monastery relocated next door to the Old Mission in Santa Barbara.
Central to each day at Mount Calvary Monastery is the work of prayer, or Opus Dei, as St. Benedict calls it. The four services of The Divine Office (Vigils, Lauds, Vespers and Compline) and the daily offering of the Holy Eucharist are acts of praise to God and intercessions for the needs of the world. All are welcome to attend the monastic services in our Chapel.
Equally central to the monastic day are times of silence, especially following Compline through breakfast the following morning.
Our guests stay for varying lengths of time and for a variety of purposes, including individual and group retreats, both talking and silent. All who join us here are encouraged to use their time of retreat to experience God and open themselves to God’s transforming love.