Based on archdiocesan directives, the Abbey of Gethsemani is doing what it can to help protect the monks and the public during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

The church is closed to the public until further notice. The retreat house, gift shop and welcome center will be temporarily shut down beginning Friday, March 20.

This morning, Archbishop Kurtz suspended all public Masses in the Archdiocese of Louisville (click here for a related article in The Record newspaper, published by the Archdiocese). The suspension was effective immediately and until further notice.

Accordingly, only retreatants staying in Gethsemani’s Retreat House this week can attend services in the abbey church. Otherwise, the church will be closed to the public for both Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. Tuesday and Saturday Confessions likewise will be suspended.

The Retreat House will be closed beginning Friday, March 20. A provisional re-opening date is Friday, May 1, but this is subject to change. The gift shop and welcome center will also be closed to the public.

We apologize for any inconvenience and we pray for the health and well-being of all.

We continue to monitor the situation and will post any updates to this site as they are available.