"All guests who present themselves are to be received as Christ, for he will say, 'I was a stranger and you took me in'." These are the opening words of chapter 53 of St. Benedict's Rule. The quotation is from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25. At St. Anselm's we strive to follow this gospel spirit as expressed by St. Benedict. In the city of Washington we have many opportunities to do so. As we do not have a separate Guest House we are limited in our capacity to receive women overnight, since all guests share meals in the monastic refectory and the guest rooms are within the monastery enclosure. We hope in future to change this unfortunate situation.

Ways and places of welcome
Our chapel is always open for all guests. Guests do come to celebrate the various hours of the Divine Office with us. A visitor who was attending a group meeting at the Abbey came with the group to our mid-day prayer. Afterwards she asked, "Do you do this every day? Can anyone come?" The reply was, "Surely, you are always welcome." Our welcome gives opportunity for all to share this prayer of the Church.

Our large meeting room, the Fort Augustus Room, is used frequently by many groups. A Gregorian Chant group comes weekly for practice. A charismatic group sponsored by our monks also meets here every week. The room may be booked by any group with a serious purpose. For example, parish groups and committees from many different denominations use the Fort Augustus Room, usually for a one day meeting.

Many people come to spend a few quiet days with us. Religious and priests who have business in Washington frequently stay at the Abbey and are able to share our prayer.

Retreats
Perhaps the greatest number of visitors come for a retreat, a day or two or three or a week. We do not offer organized retreats for groups, but a small group might come with its own leader. There is always opportunity to consult with a monk. Individual retreats on the Ignatian pattern of "directed retreat" can be arranged with a retreat master beforehand. Most of our visitors simply come for the opportunity to share the Divine Office (though this is not required) and to enjoy the leisure and the quiet atmosphere of the Abbey.

We feel especially privileged to be available to clergy of all faiths for a retreat. In the Abbey's Winter 1996 Newsletter is printed a testimony by the Reverend Jim Dickerson, Pastor of the New Community Church and Chairman of MANNA, Inc., an advocacy group for affordable housing. He has made weekly Friday retreats here for fifteen years. Here is the conclusion of his remarks: I come for silence, solitude, rest, reflection, renewal in the context of an environment and community of prayer. . . . The abbey's ministry of hospitality to the stranger provides a tangible connection with God's unconditioned healing love. I am extremely grateful for this ministry.

An invitation
If you would like to visit the Abbey you would be most welcome. To arrange a visit, a tour, a retreat please telephone or write to:
The Guestmaster St. Anselm's Abbey
4501 S. Dakota Avenue N. E. Washington, DC 20017
telephone: 202-269-2300
e mail: dcabbey@erols.com