St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth: Visiting, Prayer, Retreats, Vocations, Benedictine Life & FAQs

11 April 2026

Your frequently asked questions answered

St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery near Guildford in Surrey, open every day of the year for Mass, the Divine Office and prayer.

Visitors are welcome to join the monks, stay in the monastic guest house, attend public events and explore Benedictine life. You don't have to be Roman Catholic to visit or stay with us.

Rooted in the teaching of St Benedict (c.480–547), the Abbey continues a 1,500 year monastic tradition that has shaped Christian prayer, community and culture across Europe and the world.

What is St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth?

St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth is a living and contemplative Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery in the Surrey Hills near Guildford - not a parish church, but a place dedicated to monastic life.

The monks live under the Rule of St Benedict, a Sixth Century guide to life centred on:

prayer
work
silence
hospitality
community

The monastery is not enclosed, the monks do not have to be silent all of the time and all of them are very much in contact with the outside world.

This rhythm, often summarised as Ora et Labora (“Pray and Work”), continues today much as it has for over 1,500 years.

The Abbey church is open to the public for prayer throughout the year, every day of the year without fail from 5.30am to 8.50pm.

What is happening at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth today?

St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth is a small Benedictine monastery comprising 10 monks plus a number of potential monks that is growing strongly in many areas of its life and mission.

Despite its size, the Abbey is experiencing clear momentum:

new monks and increasing vocation enquiries
a growing number of guests in the Monastic Guest House
a regular and increasing weekly congregation drawn from the public
an expanding programme of public talks, events and study mornings
increasing online engagement and worldwide awareness into the thousands of people
online prayer requests in their several hundred every year
monastery online shop sales all over the world
rising support for the life and future of the monastery
the monks actively seek and receive public feedback for their guesthouse and shop so as to improve

Through a strong digital presence and the personal experience received by many when connecting with the monastery, the Abbey reaches far beyond its physical size.

Visitors frequently remark on the Abbey’s energy, strong sense of community and confident leadership, all rooted in the Benedictine tradition.

What is a typical day like for a Benedictine monk?

A monk’s day at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth follows a structured rhythm shaped by the Rule of St Benedict:

early rising for Vigils (before dawn)
regular periods of communal prayer throughout the day (Divine Office)
Holy Mass
time for work (manual, intellectual or pastoral)
periods of silence and personal prayer
time for rest
shared meals taken in a spirit of reflection
evening prayer and Compline before rest
monks receive days off and holidays

This balanced life of prayer, work and community has remained fundamentally unchanged for centuries.

Is St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth open to the public?

Yes. Members of the public are always welcome to join the monks in prayer in the Abbey Church.

No booking is required for Mass or the Divine Office.

Please get in touch online if you'd like to have Confession.

What are the Mass times at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth?

Daily Roman Catholic Mass:

9am Monday–Saturday
10am Sunday

St Augustine's Abbey, Chilworth is one of the few churches not to ask for a collection during Mass.

Coffee with the monks follows Sunday Mass in the Assisi Room.

Occasional Spanish speaking Mass is also offered - please enquire.

What type of Mass is celebrated at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth?

Mass is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Ordinary Form (“Novus Ordo”), not in the Extraordinary Form (Tridentine Latin Mass).

At Chilworth:

Mass is offered facing East (ad orientem)
The Introit, Alleluia, Offertory, Communion and Ordinary are sung in Latin
The remainder of the Mass is in English

This creates a reverent form of worship rooted in tradition, while remaining accessible.

What is the Divine Office?

The Divine Office is the daily cycle of prayer prayed by Benedictine monks.

It sanctifies the day through psalms, Scripture and chant.

Members of the public are welcome at all offices.

What are the daily prayer times at the Abbey?

Members of the public are always welcome to join the monks in prayer.

Divine Office:

Vigils: 5:50am–6:30am (Saturday 8:00pm for Sunday)
Lauds: 7am–7:25am
Terce: 8:40am–8:50am (8:30am Sunday)
Sext: 12:30pm–12:45pm (12:45pm Sunday)
None: 1:35pm–1:45pm
Vespers:
6pm–6:30pm (weekday)
5:30pm–6pm (feasts/solemnities)
Compline: 8:30pm–8:50pm

Is Latin used at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth?

Yes. Latin has a living place in the prayer and liturgical life of the Abbey.

At Chilworth:

Gregorian Chant in Latin is used in the Divine Office
Latin is sung in the Mass Propers
Traditional Latin prayers are part of monastic life

Mass itself is celebrated in English in the Ordinary Form.

Latin is not required for participation, but many find it deepens prayer and expresses the unity and continuity of the Church.

Can visitors hear Gregorian Chant at Chilworth?

Yes. Gregorian Chant is regularly sung in both the Divine Office and the Mass.

Is there Adoration at the Abbey?

Yes. Members of the public are welcome.

Friday: 8:00pm–8:45pm
Sunday: 4pm–5pm

Is there online prayer from the Abbey?

Yes.

Divine Mercy Hour (online):
3pm–4pm daily

Can I ask the monks to pray for me?

Yes. The monks at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth receive prayer requests from across the UK and around the world.

Many hundreds of prayer requests are received each year, and all are remembered in prayer.

Where is St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth?

Sample Oak Lane, Chilworth
Guildford, Surrey GU4 8QR

5 miles from Guildford
Close to the Surrey Hills
Walking distance from Chilworth station
Free parking available

How do I get to the Abbey by train?

Travel to Chilworth railway station. The Abbey is a short walk.

Connections include Guildford, London, Reading and Gatwick Airport.

Can I stay at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth?

Yes, by arrangement and donation.

The Monastic Guest House offers a simple, prayerful stay within a living Benedictine monastery.

What is it like to stay in the Monastic Guest House?

A quiet, structured and prayerful experience for adult men and women.

Guests are expected to:

join the monks for prayer
respect silence
enter into the monastic rhythm of life

The accommodation is very basic and limited to four bedrooms. Advance booking is essential and stays cannot always be guaranteed.

Does the Abbey run retreats, study days or public events?

Yes. The Abbey runs regular talks, study mornings, cultural events and spiritual days.

Booking is usually required due to limited space.

Is there a regular meditation group?

Yes, an ecumenical lay meditation group meets regularly.
Wednesday evenings in the Assisi Room, followed by Compline.

How do I become a Benedictine monk at St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth?

The first step is to visit and to keep visiting.

Keep knocking at the door, do not be deterred.

Vocation discernment begins with a stay in the Guest House and develops over time.

Who can apply to become a monk?

Catholic men who feel called to monastic life, with:

maturity
good health
a genuine desire to seek God

What happens on a vocation visit?

A short stay sharing daily monastic life, including prayer, meals and work, allowing mutual discernment.

What is the Rule of St Benedict?

A Sixth Century guide to monastic life written by St Benedict, shaping:

prayer
work
humility
stability
obedience
community

It remains one of the most influential spiritual texts in Western Christianity.

What is Lectio Divina?

A slow, prayerful reading of Scripture, central to Benedictine spirituality.

Why is silence important?

Silence creates space for God and supports prayer, reflection and inner stillness.

What does “Ora et Labora” mean?

“Pray and Work” - the foundation of Benedictine life.

What is a Benedictine Oblate?

A lay person who lives Benedictine spirituality in daily life while remaining in the world.

Can I become an Oblate?

Yes. The Abbey welcomes those drawn to Benedictine spirituality and who want to live it in their lay life at home.

What public talks and events are offered?

Regular talks on faith, art and spirituality, usually in small groups.

What do donations support?

The life and mission of the monastery, including:

buildings
monks
hospitality
vocations

Can I volunteer?

Yes. Volunteers are welcome to support the Abbey’s work.

What is the history of the Abbey?

A historic Catholic site now home to a Benedictine community of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation. The monks have been at Chilworth since 2011, prior to that at Ramsgate in Kent since 1856. From 1892-2010, Franciscan Friars were based at Chilworth.

Does the Abbey have a shop?

Yes. Handmade monastic products and gifts are available online. We are best known for our monk made beeswax skin creams and lip balms plus Chilworth Rosary Beads.