Current Events - New Norcia Benedictine Community

New Norcia Benedictine Community

Visit New Norcia

People visit New Norcia for many reasons; for spiritual retreat, to join a tour and see inside the magnificent buildings or sometimes just to walk around the town and enjoy the peace and beautiful scenery.

In this section you will find all the information you need for your visit to New Norcia. Details of places to eat and places to stay, details of the town tours and information about some of our favourite things to do in Australia’s only monastic town.

We recommend your first port of call is the Museum & Art Gallery to speak to one of the staff about all the attractions and experiences New Norcia has to offer. The Museum & Art Gallery is also a Visitor Information Centre and is the point from which the town tours leave.

Stay at New Norcia

There are so many different options for accommodation at New Norcia.

The Hostel, with its comfortable simple rooms, home cooked meals and neo-classical architecture is a perfect place for couples and families. With its scenic deck and heritage veranda it is a perfect place to enjoy the sunset with a New Norcia Abbey Ale or a wine from the Abbey range. The Guesthouse is perfect for a quiet, retreat like experience - a world away from the rigours of modern life. You can join a Benedictine retreat here or be housed in the Hermitage for a silent retreat. Groups of 15 -100 can be accommodated in the Old Convent or the historic boarding school colleges.

Please click on the individual areas for more information.

Eat & Drink

Eat & Drink>

Hospitality is a tenet of the Rule of St Benedict, the Rule by which the monks of New Norcia live, so wherever you choose to eat in town, our aim is for you to experience warm monastic hospitality.

Education & Research

From the earliest days of its foundation New Norcia has been focussed on education. The first Abbot, of New Norcia (Rosendo Salvado) established the Aboriginal girls and boys schools and the second Abbot of New Norcia, Fulgentius Torres built and opened the European girls and boys schools, which closed in 1991.

Since the closing of the schools, New Norcia's school buildings and grounds have been utilised by groups undertaking education programmes.

However, New Norcia also has a tradition of research and academia, with its impressive archival records and library collection, and scholars and researchers alike have delighted over the years in the information available in the town's records.

This section also provides information on the archives and library and provides link to forms which will give you access to the records of New Norcia.

Protecting a Unique Heritage

New Norcia is Australia’s only monastic town and has a unique heritage. Founded in 1847 by Spanish Benedictine Monks, the town has had many purposes; a mission, a monastery, a provider of education and now as a place of spiritual retreat.

Delve into the town's unique history, discover the ongoing and completed work necessary for the upkeep and restoration of this special part of Australia.

But it is not only the majestic buildings set amongst the Australian bush that sets New Norcia apart; its history is also encapsulated in the archival records of New Norcia and in the library and museum collections.

In this section we also have information about how you can donate to New Norcia to help the Community restore and maintain this treasure.

What's Happening at New Norcia

What's On>

We hold a diverse array of events throughout the year at New Norcia.

Each year we host a full programme of events including a spiritual retreat programme presented by the Institute for Benedictine Studies, an Archives Library and Collections Study Day in October, and a few other surprises!

Watch this space for all the updated information about "What's on at New Norcia".

Apr 16 2021
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Apr 18 2021

Study Weekend

Thomas Merton as a Guide for our Inner Journey: BOOKED OUT

Thomas Merton was a 20th century Cistercian monk, whose writings inspired a world-wide renewal of interest in Christian, monastic spirituality and contemplative prayer. On this weekend the writings and spirit of Thomas Merton will be a guide to shine a light on the multiple rooms of our mind, heart and soul...

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May 7 2021
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May 9 2021

Guesthouse Retreat

The Sacrament of Silence- Meditation Retreat

Love of silence is a quality emphasised and affirmed in the Rule of St. Benedict, and a traditional value of monastic life. Yet the cultivation of silence is something very difficult in our modern world, and often not understood or appreciated...

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May 9 2021

Mother's Day at the New Norcia Hostel: Sunday 9th May

Celebrate Mother’s Day this year in the historic New Norcia Hostel!

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May 22 2021

Abbot’s Table : 22 May 2021: BOOKED OUT

On October 10th 2020, Abbot John donned a kitchen apron to share his former life as a chef, working in some of Melbourne’s finest award-winning restaurants of the 1980s. Access the menu and feedback here. We are pleased to announce the dates for the 2021 series of seasonal dinners in the French tradition at the grand old New Norcia Hostel: ‘La table de l’abbé’ The Abbot’s Table

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May 27 2021

New Norcia Studies Journal 27 Launch

We are delighted to announce that New Norcia Studies 27 will be launched this year by Daniel Lynch, Executive Director of the Office of Archbishop Costello. Daniel will also be launching Volume 1 of The Chronicles of New Norcia covering the years 1901-1906. As usual the event will take place at The Palms Community Centre, Cnr Rokeby and Nicholson Roads, Subiaco at 6pm on Thursday, May 27th...

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Jun 11 2021
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Jun 13 2021

Study Weekend

The Imitation of Christ: A Spiritual Classic Revisited: BOOKED OUT

It is often said that, apart from the Bible, the most influential work of literature in Christian spirituality is The Imitation of Christ. This small book, written by Thomas a Kempis in the 15th century, has been a treasured source of inspiration and guidance for followers of Jesus for over 500 years, and continues to be relevant, encouraging and strengthening....

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Jun 19 2021

Music of the Roaring 20's - New Norcia Hostel

We invite you to the Music of the Roaring 20's - 19th June 2021.

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Jun 25 2021
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Jun 27 2021

Study Weekend

The Blessings of Life’s Eventide: Growing Older with God

Every stage of human life presents its unique blessings, challenges and opportunities for spiritual insights and deepening of one’s relationship with God. This weekend will explore these in the particular context of the experience of ageing, which is often undervalued and under-appreciated in our mainstream culture...

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Jul 16 2021
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Jul 18 2021

New Norcia Guesthouse

Benedictine Experience Weekend

Benedictine spirituality is more readily experienced than defined. These weekends in the Monastery Guesthouse (beginning with Vespers at 6.30pm on Friday, concluding after lunch on Sunday) provide the opportunity to enter fully into the monastic rhythm and balance of prayer, work, lectio divina, hospitality and community life. There will be opportunities to ponder the riches of the scriptures and monastic literature, both in group discussions and personal silence and solitude, bringing from the ‘storeroom, things both new and old.’

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Aug 6 2021
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Aug 8 2021

Study Weekend

St. Bernard of Clairvaux: A Spiritual Luminary of the Monastic Tradition

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was a 12th century monk, of foundational importance in the Cistercian Order, a reformed form of Benedictine monasticism. Not only was he a charismatic and effective abbot, but his writings reflect profound and beautiful insights into the mystery of God, Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin...

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