Abbey of Gethsemani
Monastery · Trappist, Kentucky
A Trappist monastery founded in 1848 in the knobs near Bardstown, and the oldest continuously operating monastery in the United States. Thomas Merton entered here in 1941 and lived here until his death in 1968, writing The Seven Storey Mountain and most of the rest of his work inside the enclosure; he is buried in the abbey cemetery under a plain white cross identical to every other. The monks keep the full Liturgy of the Hours from before dawn, visitors may attend all of it, and silence is not a suggestion.
3642 Monks Road, Trappist, Kentucky, 40051, United States
Grounds, cemetery, trails, visitor centre and gift shop open during daylight hours; the abbey church is open to visitors for all seven daily offices, beginning with Vigils at around 3:15 AM and ending with Compline in the evening. Free. Silence is asked throughout. Retreats are booked directly with the abbey, often many months ahead.
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