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Jul. 12 2019toJul. 14 2019
Study Weekend
The Desert Fathers - The Earliest Christian Monks
Led by various monks from New Norcia. The term ‘Desert Fathers’ refers to Christians who, from the late 2nd Century, adopted eremitic and/or coenobitic modes of life in the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East.
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Aug. 3 2019
Benedictine Institute Event
Annual Benedictine Institute Day - Benedictine Spirituality and the Search for God
BENEDICTINE SPIRITUALITY AND THE SEARCH FOR GOD Keynote Speaker: Fr. Araliya Jayasundara, osb, Director of the Sylvestrine Benedictine Minor Seminary, Sri Lanka, Vice-Rector of St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, Sri Lanka The New Norcia Institute for Benedictine Studies is delighted to invite you to the ‘Annual Institute Day’ for 2019. Our theme for this year is ‘Benedictine Spirituality and the Search for God ’.
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Aug. 16 2019toAug. 18 2019
Retreat
Transitioning through the Stages of Life
Led by Sr. Lilian Bong, sja, & Dom Daniel Meers, osb The transition through the various stages of life- from youth to adulthood, from young adulthood to middle age, from middle age to old age- can present both challenges and rewards, of a personal, spiritual and physical nature. The various events in life, such as the discernment of a vocation, changes in state of life, or illness and injury, can also form confronting and challenging transitions.
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Aug. 24 2019
Town Event
2019 New Norcia Writers' Festival
Join Amanda Curtin as she talks about her latest book on a revered WA artist, Kathleen O’Connor of Paris; Dr Michael Levitt on health and happiness with The Happy Bowel; Steve Hawke on his powerful novel Out of Time; Jon Doust on the timely reissue of his compelling memoir Boy on a Wire; poet Annamaria Weldon on her sparkling new collection Stone Mother Tongue; and Bindy Pritchard on her debut short story collection Fabulous Lives...... more
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Sep. 13 2019toSep. 15 2019
Study Weekend
The Theology of the Garden of Eden
Led by Dr. James Cregan. The Garden of Eden holds a central place in the Christian imagination. Not only does it bookend the Bible with its promise of God’s overbrimming grace, the symbolism of Eden also informs and energises the narratives of creation, revelation, and redemption at the heart of its sacred texts.
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Oct. 11 2019toOct. 13 2019
Retreat
The Dark Night of the Soul: St. John of the Cross
Led by Abbot John Herbert. St. John of the Cross was a Spanish mystic of the 16th Century, whose best known work is The Dark Night of the Soul.
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Nov. 8 2019toNov. 10 2019
Guesthouse Retreat
Benedictine Experience Weekend
Benedictine spirituality is more readily experienced than defined. These weekends in the monastery guesthouse (beginning with Vespers at 6.30 p.m. 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.
Contact Us
Main Office
T: +61 8 9654 8018
F: +61 8 9654 8097
E: information@newnorcia.wa.edu.au
Hotel
T: +61 8 9654 8034
E: hotel@newnorcia.wa.edu.au
Friends of New Norcia / Volunteering
Museum & Art Gallery
T: +61 8 9654 8056
E: museum@newnorcia.wa.edu.au
Group Accommodation & Education Centre
T: +61 8 9654 8018
E: groups@newnorcia.wa.edu.au
Media & Communications
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 Hotel, with its comfortable simple rooms, home cooked meals and neo-classical architecture is a perfect place for couple and families, its scenic deck and heritage veranda a perfect place to while away 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 and the historic boarding school colleges.
Please click on the individual areas for more information.
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 have been utilised for camps and groups and this section contains all the information you need if your group is interested in staying in one of the colleges or undertaking one of the 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
We hold a diverse array of events throughout the year at New Norcia.
In 2019 we will be hosting a full programme of retreats, a Writers and Arts Festival and the education programme presented by the Institute for Benedictine Studies, plus the Studies Journal Launch in November and a few other surprises!
So watch this space for all the updated information about "What's on at New Norcia".