“One can’t separate the experience of St. Benedict’s without being mindful of its location. One couldn’t come to the steps of the monastery without being awed by the beauty of its setting and by views of majestic Mount Sopris. I think that might put you in a [certain headspace] before you even got in the door.”
Tag: St. Benedict’s Monastery
St. Benedict’s Monastery — a 3,739-acre Trappist property in Old Snowmass, Colorado historically stewarded by monks since the 1950s — has sold for $120 million. The decision to close came from higher-ups in the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, which includes about 150 Trappist monasteries and nunneries around the world. This series covers the history of the monastery and the sale.
Posted inThe Roundup newsletter
St. Benedict’s Monastery sale a pivot point for land stewardship and cultural heritage
This week, the sale of St. Benedict’s Monastery — where for nearly 70 years Trappist monks had been living lives of work and prayer, caring for their 3,700 acres of the Capitol Creek Valley while welcoming the community for religious services and spiritual renewal — made national news. Kaya Williams, an Aspen Journalism freelancer who […]
Posted inEnvironment
St. Benedict’s Monastery sells for $120 million
Sale and closure of the monastery has been a possibility for years, as the monks of St. Benedict’s have grown older and their community has gotten smaller. Five monks celebrate Mass there now, down from 18 members present in 2009.
Posted inEnvironment
St. Benedict’s Monastery announces last Mass Jan. 11
Contemplative Outreach of Colorado’s post on their website Dec. 5 indicated a sale of the monastery was imminent, but also stated that “we do not know who the buyer is or what will be forthcoming at this time.”
Posted inEnvironment
St. Benedict’s Monastery sale falls through
It’s one of the largest contiguous properties in the region, sparsely developed and surrounded on several sides by conserved land.
Posted inEnvironment
‘Say a prayer that all this comes to a happy conclusion’
The Open Space and Trails team has received “some indication” that the potential buyer is “conservation oriented,” according to Kinsley, but he would not say how they received that indication.
Posted inEnvironment
In a ‘sacred valley,’ community partners seek to preserve the legacy of St. Benedict’s
A 3,700-acre property owned by St. Benedict’s Monastery is now on the market for $150 million as the religious institution faces a dwindling population of monks. Past efforts to preserve the land never came to fruition — but some local groups hope a collaboration might help.