This Benedictine Monastery And Church In Southern California Prince of Peace Abbey Has Breathtaking Views Of The Pacific Ocean
By Scott Dylan
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Published June 02, 2021
If you’ve ever wondered why monks are among the most peaceful people on the planet, one visit to Prince of Peace Abbey explains it all. The Benedictine monastery and church offers some of the most breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean that Southern California has available. Accessing the place of worship ensures that you experience a slower way of life. It helps you detach from the hustle and bustle of daily life so you can focus on inner and outer peace.
Prince of Peace Abbey has been around since 1958. It upholds Benedictine monastic traditions stemming from over 1500 years ago. Hospitality is at the root of all interactions the monks have with their visitors. Although the monks no longer wash visitors' feet, they do make their visit as memorable as possible.
The monks of the monastery rise early to prepare for morning prayer. They're up by 4:45 am, and prayer services start at 5:30 am. A silent breakfast follows for the Benedictine monks. They continue to pray throughout the day and complete jobs around the monastery as needed.
The exterior of the monastery shows how peaceful the grounds are for walking. Beautiful landscaping is visible throughout the property. The monks, who have all taken a vow of stability, maintain the 130-acre Prince of Peace Abbey grounds.
The monks are buried onsite when they pass away. You can visit the cemetery while on the property. Each cross represents a monk who is no longer with the monastery.
The stained glass windows inside Prince of Peace Abbey are exceptional in size, color, and design. They're worth taking a look at while touring the building. Mass and prayer services are open to the public throughout the year, so you have plenty of opportunities to see these artistic pieces.
Outside, a one-mile circular dirt road offers a special place of meditation and reflection. Along the prayer walk are the 14 Stations of the Cross.
The path is also dotted with benches on which to sit, reflect, and enjoy the views of the ocean and the surrounding area.
Prince of Peace Abbey welcomes individual visitors and also hosts retreats. For more information, visit the monastery’s website .
Have you ever visited this peaceful oasis by the ocean? Tell us all about your experience in the comments!
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Prince of Peace Abbey, 650 Benet Hill Rd, Oceanside, CA 92058, USA