It's the most gorgeous church in so cal. There's confession at 1 pm. Get there early as the lines get long really quick. Come and pray with the Norbertines. The young men will fill your hearts with hope for the future. There's also a convent for women too in a separate building with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Look at how lovely: https://zeale.co/video/divine-mercy-chapletfinal read more

Notbertines and Tradition. Saved my life. I go to St John the Baptist and I will start to come Here ever 3 rd Sunday for the 3rd order starting in September. Beautiful land. read more

The Abbey is amazing. It is so nice to know this place is open to the public. It is like going to someone's private castle in the mountains in Orange County. I confess that I am not Catholic but have a great respect for individuals who give their whole life to prayer and service to others. This is a very special place. It is a place to go and reset. Just take in the beauty and artwork that went into building the Abbey. I highly recommend it for a day trip. read more

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What a gorgeous place...so peaceful and inspiring. It's a must visit when in Orange County CA even though it's a bit off the beaten track.

Saint Michaels Abbey is a great place to experience mass. Beautiful architecture and amazing service. This is one of the only masses where I've come out feeling at peace. I'm happy that it open to the public and welcoming to all Christian's where they're new concerts or people curious about the catholic faith. Although I wish it was a parish with OCIA classes, I'll still attend services and look to get initiated into the faith at a more local parish. Check this church out if you're ever in Orange County or curious about visiting. You won't regret it. read more

I spent the day here today. Such a remarkable experience. I wish I got the name of the priest we got our history lesson and blessing from but it was so wonderful to be back in Orange County and reminded of our younger years. Glory be to God! read more

St Michael's Abbey - Churches Near Me - Silverado, California

Attended Easter Mass here off the recommendation of my father-in-law. We are parishioners at St.John Neumann but decided to attend since his family was coming into town and his father-in-law said it would be a special experience. I would not recommend this church to anyone! The church itself and the grounds are beautiful, and along with the Gregorian chanting it was an ethereal experience at first. However, my negative experience came from Communion and the Priest. There were no signs or an announcement that Communion would only be taken hand-to-mouth by the priest. So I proceeded to put my hand out as I've done in every Mass I have attended, including a traditional Roman Latin Mass. The Priest ignored my hands that were reached out and shoved the Eucharist straight into my mouth making direct contact with me! It felt like an assertion of his "power" as he peered down at me while I was on my knees. It broke my heart and was visibly upset. I walked away feeling humiliated and violated. If I would've know they don't accept the alternative to accept the Eucharist, I would've passed. I wrote an email the next day expressing my feelings and suggesting they put up signs or to make an announcement. Aside from Covid concerns, there are people that are sexual assault survivors who are triggered by any non-consensual acts done anywhere near their bodies but would still like to receive the Eucharist. Sadly, I did not receive a response. It's places like this and people like this that's causing the Catholic Church to lose it's members. The lack of empathy is appalling and it's antiquated practices or dare I say "questionable" actions are what I consider to be far from Christ-like. I'm so grateful for my home church who is accepting and understanding of all people from all walks of life. read more

Great churchyard with splendid architecture and stained glass. Plenty of parking and easily accessible.

If I could describe this place in one word, it would be: PEACEFUL. Everyone must visit this place at least once in their life. It's such a beautiful monastery filled with reverence and quietness. It's worth the drive! read more

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Absolutely beautiful church! Located in a lovely secluded area, quiet and peaceful. Visited for Easter! read more

St Michael's Abbey - Easter sunrise at St. Michael's Abbey - Churches Near Me - Silverado, California

This gorgeous Catholic Monastery is full of Reverence, Tradition, Love for God. Run by the Norbertines. The cannons. VERY BEAUTIFUL MONASTERY! read more

St Michael's Abbey - Palm Sunday - Churches Near Me - Silverado, California

Saint Michael's Abbey is going to be one of the most beautiful places to experience the Mass. They offer both Traditional Latin Mass and the Norvos Ordo in such a beautiful way. The Norbertine Canons are a wonderful religious order who also give such wonderful confessions. Please come visit them and their beautiful church. read more

My boyfriend and I came to the Abbey for this year Easter Vigil and it was so beautiful. Rarely do you see any church that celebrates Easter Vigil in such a traditional way. Half of the mass was in Latin, last from 10pm to 115am. They also offer a massive reception right after. The Abbey is beautiful and you can feel so inspired here. If I live closer, I would definitely come more often for weekly mass. They also have lauds and vespers, which I would want to come sometimes in the future. read more

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Southern California is lucky to have this beautiful Catholic monastery in our midst. The Norbertines offer cultural, spiritual and intellectual events regularly. This is a can't miss Abbey for the Catholic faithful, and curious Christians seeking to deepen their spiritual life. read more

Amazing Catholic Church!!!! So beautiful and highly recommend attending mass here, all the mosaic art that is inside the church is so beautiful and everyone is so friendly and welcoming read more

It is so hard in the culturally barren landscape of California to find a sacred space so beautiful and so right. This Abbey is exactly what a place if worship should be. Beauty and sacred architecture, and the incorporation of iconography done in the right way, blending it with its Western roots and tradition. Definitely a place to stop, and to visit often if you are local. read more

Amazing tour and local treasure. There is so much beauty and history. A very short drive from Southern Orange County.

I discovered the Abbey, from Fr. Justin Ramos, while attending the traditional Latin Mass at St. Therese in Alhambra. As impressive as the New Abbey is, and the number of priests and seminarians in this order, I was extremely saddened to learn that the Norbertine Fathers celebrate the Norvus Ordo mass here. I signed up for what I thought was a traditional retreat and was very much disappointed and misguided. I hope that one day they will fully convert to the Tridentine ways. It would be such a shame to see such a beautiful new church go to waste and have this large Clergy continue to follow Rome in the blasphemous errors of Vactian II. Again, extremely disappointed to have walked into a Norvus Ordo mass on very beautiful grounds. read more

Beautiful church nestled in the hills and mountains. The architecture incorporates history as well as the geography of the area. It's peaceful and tranquil. Services are available online. I plan to return for Vespers read more

The Abbey is absolutely stunning! And the Norbertine priests at the Abbey are such holy men of God. Fr. Gregory came and gave my father his last rites and was so kind and compassionate with him. I cannot be more grateful for the gift that these priests are to us. read more

This is a beautiful Catholic Church located in the serene canyon. They give guided tours at certain times, call for day and time. This is run by the Norbertine Priests and there is a seminary on site. There are many videos on You Tube that will give you a good understanding of this site. I was very impressed by the beauty of the church. read more

The Norbertines will save the Church. Thank you Lord for St. Michaels Abbey and for the Norberine order. One suggestion - I would love to see the Norberine rite offered publicly if possible. read more

Beautiful church inside and out. It appears very traditional gold interior. It also appears very beautifully lit with tall ceilings and golden icons along, beautiful windows. read more

Beautiful singing by Norbertines. My hear gets refreshed every single time I come here. read more

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St. Michael's Abbey is a stunning addition to Silverado Canyon and the Norbertine Fathers are great resource for spiritual advice and guidance. The priests help at many of the parishes in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and typically deliver well prepared and powerful sermons. read more

Just passing through my home state CA: when family asked me to visit St. Michael's Abbey. Personal observations: St. Michael's is not American. It is decidedly more European in culture. It's anti-women: it seems to employ women only in the context of menial labor, low-level positions, and maybe secretary work, so it's chauvinistic. It's men's only composition at a glance seems elitist and rather judgmental: putting a negative slant on the fairer sex. Individuals I've met who associated with St. Michael seem wound, neurotic, and at times, withdrawn. People who praise St. Michael are similar to its members in terms of emotional make-up and neuroses and they click well only with people inside their social bubble (i.e. 'a cult'). The principle St. Michael cleric I met seems depressed (unusually quiet, withdrawn, as wounded or angry people usually are). In conclusion: The segregated men's only society is off-putting to more social individuals (ex. 'yours truly'). read more

It's absolutely stunning for Midnight Latin Mass for Christmas. Actually, it's beautiful any time. I will be going back.

Love this holy place, feel like in Heaven with Christ. I love to take my friends and families to attend the Holy Mass read more

St. Michael's Abbey is an active, thriving, Norbertine Abbey nestled in the foothills of South Orange County. It was originally founded by 5 Hungarian Norbertines fleeing communist persecution. To the non-Catholic outsider, the Norbertines might be easy to classify as monks, and to an extent, they are. They live in community, they take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, take new religious names to replace their given names when they are first inducted into the order, and have as a chief duty the praying of the Divine Office in common. The Divine Office is a series of prayers, intermingled with all 150 Psalms, which is said 7 times per day. However, properly speaking Norbertines are "Canons Regular" which means that their primary role is the recitation and preservation of the Divine Office. Those who belong to the Order sign their names with "O. Praem." at the end, signifying that they are the "Order of Praemonstretensians," named after their famous Abbey in Premontre, France (stolen by the revolutionary government). Latecomers to the changes from the Second Vatican Council, St. Michael's did not start using the New Rite of Mass (Novus Ordo) until 1981. Most recently, when the confusion about the legal status of the Traditional Latin Mass was cleared up, about half of the Abbey reverted to the Traditional Mass and Office. While all common prayers (those said by the entire community together in chapel) are still according to the New Rites, there is an enormous amount of reverence, along with a healthy dose of smells, bells, and Latin to make it look very much like how it was prior to 1962. When many communities are closing up or slowly dying, this Abbey is thriving, because it has at its heart a serious Eucharistic prayer life and a commitment to the proper celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. read more

The Latin High Mass on Sunday is the best a Catholic can experience. The beautiful Gregorian chant and reverence is so profound and beautiful. read more

Saint Michael's Abbey is filled with humble and caring Canons of the Nobertine order. They are so kind always very helpful in confession. They are very merciful and loving priest of God, read more

I've been going here for spiritual direction for 7 years and I can't tell you the peace you feel when you climb up the steep hill to this isolated gem. Most important thing to know is that they have Holy Hour with night prayers, benediction and confession every night at 8pm. The schedule changes and it's a little later in the summer (check their site) but regardless there is confession and holy hour every night! This is a religious community of Norbertine's so technically it is a monastery adjoined to a High School Prep School. There is also a small community of Benedictine sisters that live semi-cloistered on the property. It's one of the most incredible experiences of rich tradition with incense, Latin Gregorian Chant and beautiful litanies and prayers prayed every night. There are lots of young people that come up there for the Holy Hour and many that love going to Sunday Mass and daily Mass there. If you're Catholic or not Catholic I highly recommend it. No fluffy confessions here either, you get the real spiritual smack down, and priests that take time to understand what you're telling them and give you really solid advice, every time. This place is nothing like the rushed parish masses or confessions and you'll notice the difference right away. read more

The Saint Michael's Abbey is one of the most peaceful places I have ever been to. You don't even have to be a "religious person" to feel the emanating peace, beauty, love and purity. You can feel an angelic presence among all men. Its grounds set your spirit free. The first time I went there, I wasn't even Catholic yet, but I was welcomed by everyone with open arms. My heart felt like it was a bird set free; and there was a calm that I felt there; which I have never felt elsewhere. My mind was so clean and clear, while walking gloriously through the almighty nature surrounding the establishment itself. Truly an experience, which I hope that every person can have some time in their life. It feels like a spiritual gift; one of purity and grace. read more

Wonderful sacred place for peace, prayer, and sacraments! It is a joy to experience blessed adoration here and also confession. The sacraments are the most important experience here. Besides that, the outlying area is abundantly beautiful and inspires a peace as well. Don't miss their exquisite rose gardens and the stations of the cross up the lush and flourishing hillside! read more

I attended the Summer Camp in the late 70's and can say it was the most rigid and scary summer camp I ever experienced. From taking meals in the mess hall and not being able to speak and having to make gestures to say how much food you wanted - if you didn't finish your plate they made you eat it anyway (my brother threw up at the table). It is obviously a highly structured religious experience but as a 10 year old it felt like boot camp (10 mile hike was the culmination in 100 Degree weather). If someone is looking to have their child experience what it is like to join the priesthood probably ok - but for everyone else beware! read more

A friend told me about these Norbertine fathers a couple years back and they responded almost as soon as I reached out and invited me to stay with them for a weekend in August of 2019. They welcomed me upon arrival and spent plenty of time talking with me and having me tag along and see what their day-to-day life was like, and made plenty of time to discuss whatever I wanted to know. Their liturgy was quite beautiful, a formal and reverent Novus Ordo done in both Latin and English on alternating days, and I loved their liturgy of the hours. When I had to leave early the final morning such that I wouldn't make it to their regular morning mass, they went above and beyond and arranged for me to attend a tiny early morning mass with the sisters sharing the same campus. The entire time everyone was knowledgeable, hospitable, and compassionate, especially Fathers Sebastian and Ambrose, and fraters Athanasius and Dismas. 100% worth coming to visit! read more

You need a yelp for your Summer Camp! I attended your summer camp in the early to mid '80s and it was a wonderful experience. I remember Abbot Parker and the exercises he led in the morning. I can't wait to send my son there, but it'll be a while, gotta wait another 7 years till he turns 7. I wish I had pictures from back then. But of course, we didn't have digital cameras or anything that the kids could use back then. I remember the rusty old bunks we slept in, the nightly campfires where we burned someone's lost underwear. The old abandoned house and the hours of fun exploring the area around the abbey. read more

Kudos and many blessings upon Father Victor for his homily at St. Margaret in Oceanside on 10/23. He was doing his job and telling like it is! We need more brave open priests like him. Some folks walked out (25 or so) and so what?! Father spelled it out rightly!!! All I can say is: "Ya shoulda been there!" read more

The Church community here is very strong and supportive. The priests are strong spiritual shepherds. And, the grounds are extraordinarily beautiful. read more

This is the most peaceful place to spend time with our Lord. Daily prayer/vesper schedules and a well-attended Sunday Mass said in Latin (The Norbertine priests sing so beautifully!!), with nightly Eucharistic Adoration and Sacrament of Reconcilliation. They hold a hauntingly beautiful Easter Vigil Mass, and I look forward to celebrating Midnight Mass this Christmas. It is a small campus, so I highly recommend getting here early, or you may find yourself taking a short, hurried hike before Mass! read more