A monastery typically chooses one or more works that will serve the Church and the world. Here are some of the works of Saint Meinrad Archabbey:

Seminary and School of Theology

The founding monks of the Swiss Abbey of Einsiedeln were invited to southern Indiana in 1854 to establish a seminary to train local men as priests

Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology is a graduate school for the formation of priests, permanent deacons and lay ministers. The Seminary prepares men for the priesthood and permanent diaconate and laity to serve the Church. Students are enrolled from many U.S. and foreign dioceses. 

The Seminary also provides continuing education for priests through its Institute for Priests and Presbyterates. And each summer, our "One Bread, One Cup" program offers conferences focused on Catholic liturgy and faith for high school teens and their adult youth ministers.

Our monks serve in the Seminary as professors, administrators, spiritual directors and in other capacities.   

Parish Assistance

Another of our works also has its roots in our past. Soon after arriving in Indiana, the monks who founded Saint Meinrad began to help in parishes and provide pastoral assistance to the local German-speaking people.

Today the practice of pastoral work continues as monks serve in area parishes and dioceses. In addition, they serve as chaplains to prisons, the military, religious communities and other educational institutions. Some monks travel around the country giving retreats to parishes and religious groups.

Guest House and Retreat Center

Thousands of guests visit us each year to experience the beauty of our liturgy and grounds, to connect with the sacred and to refresh their spiritual lives. Our Guest House and Retreat Center hosts retreats - during the week and on weekends - throughout the year. Most retreats are given by Saint Meinrad monks.

Guests also come here to spend time in the peace and quiet or to undertake a private retreat.

Oblate Program 

The Archabbey sponsors a Benedictine Oblate program. Oblates are lay people who are committed to prayer and service in the spirit of St. Benedict. Our monks provide formation for the oblates, who bring Benedictine values to life in the world. More than 1,000 oblates from a wide range of backgrounds are affiliated with the monastery. 

Abbey Press

Saint Meinrad Archabbey owns and operates Abbey Press, which got its start in 1867 when the Benedictine monks purchased a small, secondhand printing press.

Since that time, the printing business has grown in size and expertise, and its proceeds support the monastic community in its prayer and work.

The newest product line in the printing division is Snail's Pace, a selection of earth-friendly paper goods. The line of nature-inspired cards, gift wrap and other products are designed and printed locally and invite consumers to embrace a slower pace of life.

Other divisions of Abbey Press include the Trade Marketing division, which sells to gift and book stores, and One Caring Place, which publishes several popular series incuding CareNotes, Elf-help Books, Notes from a Monastery and Immersed in Christ.

Abbey Press also operates the on-campus Saint Meinrad Archabbey Gift Shop. The gift shop offers a wide selection of Christian books, gifts, cards, music, monk-made items and gifts for sacramental occasions-in addition to a café that serves sandwiches, soups and pies. 

Abbey Caskets

Abbey Caskets sells handmade wood caskets and cremation urns to the public. Begun in 1999, the venture offers caskets and urns made by local craftsmen from hardwoods such as cherry, walnut, oak and poplar.

The moderately priced products reflect the monks' values of dignity, reverence and simplicity. All proceeds support Saint Meinrad Archabbey.