What to Expect When Attending Mass at the Monastery
Attending Mass at Mother of the Redeemer Monastery offers a chance to step away from ordinary noise and enter a prayer-centered setting. The Olivetan Benedictine monks gather in the Diocese of Lafayette as a religious community shaped by the Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours, work, study, and hospitality.
A monastery liturgy may feel quieter and more deliberate than a typical parish Mass. The silence, chant, measured movements, and visible participation of the monastic community can help visitors notice aspects of worship that are easy to overlook in a busy Sunday routine. You do not need to be familiar with Benedictine customs to participate respectfully.
Before traveling to Plaisance, review the monastery’s current announcements and visitor information on the monastery website. Mass times, liturgical details, access arrangements, and community notices can change, so checking ahead is an important part of preparing for your visit.
Before You Arrive
Begin by confirming the day and time of Mass. Monasteries follow a structured rhythm, but the schedule may be adjusted for feast days, retreats, community observances, or other responsibilities. The website is the best place to look for current information rather than relying on an old listing or a general assumption about parish schedules.
Plan to arrive early enough to find the appropriate entrance, settle into the chapel or designated worship space, and silence your phone. Allowing a few unhurried minutes before Mass gives you time to observe the setting and become attentive. If you are visiting for the first time, arriving early also makes it easier to ask a simple practical question without interrupting the liturgy.
Dress modestly and comfortably, with the character of a religious house in mind. There is no need to dress elaborately, but clean, respectful clothing helps preserve the sacred atmosphere. Families and visitors of different ages are welcome to worship, provided they approach the space and the service with consideration.
Entering A Monastic Setting
The first noticeable difference may be the atmosphere. A monastery is a working religious home rather than a public event venue. The monks’ prayer is woven into their daily life, and visitors enter as guests of that community. Speak quietly, follow posted directions, and avoid wandering into areas reserved for the monks or community members.
You may encounter silence before or after Mass, along with furnishings and arrangements that reflect monastic worship. Let the space teach you how to behave: watch what others do, stand or sit with the congregation, and avoid unnecessary conversation during moments of prayer. If you are uncertain, a discreet gesture or quiet question to an usher or staff member is appropriate.
The liturgy may include elements associated with Benedictine spirituality, such as chant, reverent pauses, and a strong awareness of the Church’s daily prayer. These features are intended to direct attention toward God rather than create a performance for visitors. Even when a chant or response is unfamiliar, attentive listening is a meaningful form of participation.
Following The Mass
The basic structure of the Catholic Mass will be familiar to many visitors: an opening rite, readings, the homily, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and a concluding rite. The pace may feel spacious, allowing silence and ceremonial actions to be experienced rather than hurried through. Printed materials or a missal may help you follow the readings and responses.
You may participate in spoken responses and hymns as you are comfortable. There is no expectation that a first-time guest will know every word or movement. Standing, sitting, and kneeling can generally be followed by observing the congregation, although personal physical needs should always be respected.
Reception of Holy Communion follows Catholic discipline. Catholics who are properly disposed and prepared according to Church teaching may receive. Those who do not receive Communion may remain in prayer, or, where the local practice permits, approach with arms crossed for a blessing. When in doubt, remaining seated is always a respectful choice.
| Part Of The Visit | What You May Notice | A Helpful Response |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival | Quiet surroundings and a prayerful atmosphere | Enter calmly and silence devices |
| Opening rites | Common Catholic prayers with monastic composure | Follow the congregation’s posture and responses |
| Scripture and homily | Readings proclaimed at an unhurried pace | Listen closely and use a missal if available |
| Eucharistic liturgy | Reverence, silence, and focused ceremonial actions | Pray quietly and observe Catholic Communion practice |
| Dismissal | A peaceful transition from worship to ordinary activity | Leave respectfully or remain for personal prayer |
Prepare With Intention
A little preparation can make attending Mass feel more prayerful and less uncertain. Consider these simple practices before you leave home:
- Read the day’s Scripture readings in advance.
- Check the current Mass schedule and any visitor notices.
- Bring a Bible, missal, or approved worship aid if useful.
- Dress modestly and silence your phone before entering.
- Set aside time afterward for quiet prayer or reflection.
Preparation does not mean trying to imitate the monks or master every monastic custom. It means arriving with an open and attentive spirit. You may find that a short period of quiet before Mass helps you place personal concerns in perspective and receive the liturgy with greater focus.
If you are bringing children, explain beforehand that the monastery is a place of prayer and that quiet behavior matters. Young visitors do not need to be perfectly still, but simple expectations about voices, movement, and devices can help the whole family participate peacefully.
The Monastic Rhythm Beyond Mass
Mass is part of a larger pattern of prayer and community life. The monks’ vocation is organized around seeking God through worship, work, study, discipline, and service. A visitor may see only one liturgical moment, but that moment belongs to a continuing rhythm that extends throughout the day.
This setting can make the liturgy feel less like an isolated appointment and more like an expression of a community’s daily offering. The monks are not simply hosting a service; they are living a vocation centered on prayer. Learning about that vocation may deepen your appreciation of what you experience at Mass, and the monastery’s vocations information provides helpful context for those discerning religious life.
Some guests come because they are seeking discernment, spiritual renewal, or a retreat-like pause. Others simply want to pray in a peaceful place. You do not need a special reason to attend. A respectful visit, even one that lasts only for Mass, can be worthwhile when approached without hurry or expectation.
After The Liturgy
When Mass ends, avoid assuming that the visit is over immediately. Some people remain in silence for personal prayer, while others leave quietly. Follow the local custom and be attentive to whether the monks or other worshippers are continuing their prayer. This is not generally the time for loud conversation, photographs, or informal socializing inside the worship space.
If visitors are invited to speak with a member of the community, keep questions concise and respectful. Monks have responsibilities beyond hospitality, and a brief exchange may be more appropriate than an extended conversation. If you hope to arrange a retreat, ask about visiting, or learn more about the monastery, use the official contact information rather than interrupting the liturgy.
A visit can also prompt gratitude for the people who sustain monastic prayer through practical and financial support. Those interested in contributing to the monastery’s life or planned chapel expansion can learn about ways to give. Giving is one form of support, while prayer, respectful attendance, and sharing accurate information about the community are also meaningful.
Make Your Visit A Prayerful Step
Attending Mass at the monastery is an opportunity to worship within a community whose life is deliberately ordered toward God. Come prepared to listen, accept the quiet, follow the congregation’s example, and respect the boundaries of the monastic home. Familiarity will come naturally; attentiveness matters more than knowing every detail at your first visit.
Check the current information before traveling to Plaisance, make time for unhurried prayer, and take the first step toward experiencing the monastery’s liturgy for yourself.