abbey of regina laudis

The Abbey is a wonderful place to visit when in Bethlehem. The unique Neopolitan Creche is housed in a heated barn and is strikingly beautiful! I love to visit the gift shop for some unusual hand made jams, scented oils or other handcrafted artwork. Don't miss the cheese the Abbey makes there as well! Before Christmas you can find wreaths and fresh Christmas trees to decorate your home. Don't miss a walk through the small green house and old chapel just below the gift shop. But a must is to visit the New Chapel on the hill for Vespers and to hear the sisters chanting. You can also buy a CD of their music at the gift shop. A very peaceful and enlightening experience to visit for a service in this beautiful building designed to let the outdoors in.

Vespers is chanted every day at 5 or 5:30 pm in the main church, an incredibly beautiful new wooden building that makes you feel you are literally in the forest. The service is very nice but visitors may only observe. The chanting (in Latin of course) is very calming, but the whole experience is very moving.

The musicals held here in their outdoor theater are always amazing. Beautiful setting, especially at sunset!

the plays are wonderful and the whole atmosphere is serene

A most rewarding expierence just to see how calm and perfect everything was and how warm towards visitors. if and when I am back to Connecticut your Abbey will frst on my list.