Our Lady of the Rock Monastery is a Benedictine monastery of women located in the heart of the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington state. It is a place of recollection and prayer and joyous self-giving. Set amidst 300 acres of forest and farmland, the nuns live out their lives faithful to the traditions handed on to them by their holy founders, Saint Benedict and Saint Scholastica. The motto of the Order of Saint Benedict, "Ora et Labora" (to pray and to work), is the animating spirit by which the nuns live. Prayer is the first and foundational element of a life lived in total consecration to Jesus Christ. From prayer the rest of the day flows, finding its vitality, its strength, its purpose, and its apostolic fruitfulness.

       The Holy Mass is the focal point of the monastic day. This act of praise and worship is perpetuated throughout the day - in the true Benedictine spirit - by the chanting of the entire Divine Office in Latin, preserving the beauty of the liturgy through the singing of Gregorian chant. Lectio Divina (spiritual reading and study) and manual work fill the rest of the day.

              Stewardship of the land, especially in the care of rare breeds of animals, is the community's focus. Since the foundation of Our Lady of the Rock in 1977, the nuns have been devoted to preserving minor breeds, among them are Kerry Cattle and (Scottish) Highland Cattle and Cotswold sheep. Other animals abound, including an excellent herd of fiber producing llamas. They also specialize in fine fibered, gentle male llamas for 4-H projects (which are fully kid-safe, trained and ready to go). They sell beautiful, show quality breeding stock as well as pets. The new 2004 and 2005 crias are online now!

The nuns are as self-sufficent as possible, raising most of the food for themselves and their guests. Along with the animals above, they raise poultry and grow lush gardens of flowers, vegetables and herbs. They also create beautifully crafted items to sell. Goods sold at events, such as the annual Shaw Island Christmas Bazaar, help support the monastery too. From the llamas and alpacas they have rovings for hand spinners. From the Cotswold sheep they sell raw fleeces, rovings, battings, and spun wool, as well as hides. Their llama fiber is as soft as alpaca and has won many awards, as has their sheep wool. The nuns have added beading to their arts department. They use only the finest glass, crystal, metal, and cloisonne beads, as well as gemstones like lapis and turquoise with silver. Each piece is unique and reflects an aspect of nature. Their work is featured in the Skagit Historical Museum in La Conner, Washington. Email or call for prices and special requests, or visit them in Paradise!

       The duties involved in the maintenance of the property and the needs of the community and guests, provide a rich context for developing the nuns' relationship with God and each other.

       The nuns also strive to witness to God's presence in the world by offering a place of prayer and spiritual hospitality to others in an environment of monastic peace. Guests of all faiths are welcome to pray and work with the nuns, sharing in a part of their lives.

       The OLR Chapel, completed in 1997, was built by local artisans. Nestled among trees and rocks, it has a Japanese aura. It was designed by Joseph Giampietro of Seattle on an older design by the well-known Northwest architect Henry Kline. The Corpus of Christ for the chapel crucifix was sculped by the well-known American artist Frances Rich. The stained glass window of our local bay and mountain was executed by Martha Hanson of Pained Expressions. The lovely tabernacle doors were done by our Orcas island artist Michele De Long. The 9 foot entrance doors were designed by Gordon Plume.

       The witness of a life of peace through prayerful union with God, and joyful labor in a life of sacrifice offered in love, offers a powerful message to the world which often loses sight of the great destiny to which we are called... union with God!