- Place
- Palendriai, Kelmė District Municipality
- Region
- Samogitia
- Type
- active contemplative Benedictine monastery for men
- Address
- Palendriai 4, LT-86105 Kelmė District
- Coordinates
- 55.72930, 22.93597
- Visit duration
- 45-90 minutes for worship and a quiet visit; 2-3 days for a pre-booked first retreat
- Best time
- a weekday before a published service or a multi-day retreat arranged in advance
Palendriai Monastery, St Benedict's Monastery, Palendriai
A Solesmes Benedictine foundation in Palendriai
The community grew from the Abbey of Saint-Pierre de Solesmes in France. Cardinal Vincentas Sladkevičius granted canonical permission in 1995, and the Solesmes chapter confirmed the Lithuanian foundation in December 1996. The new religious community was registered by the Ministry of Justice on 28 August 1997.
In 1998 twelve founders arrived: seven Frenchmen, one American, and four Lithuanians led by the first prior, Hervé de Broc. This international beginning explains the living connection with Solesmes liturgy and Gregorian chant.
A modern monastery built in 1999-2001
The present complex stands apart from the old Our Lady Gate of Dawn Church. Architects Jean Philippe Ricard, Thierry Rolland, Christian Valentinuzzi, and Darius Jakubauskas designed the restrained ensemble built in 1999-2001. The community moved in during autumn 2001.
The church was consecrated on 7 June 2002. Pale masonry, dark pitched roofs, a clear tower, and a simple interior reinterpret Benedictine order rather than copy an old monastery. Residential and cloistered areas are not a free tourist route.
Seven daily offices and Gregorian chant
On 21 July 2026 the ordinary official schedule listed Vigils at 05:30, Lauds at 07:15, Mass with Terce at 10:00, Sext at 13:00, None at 13:50, Vespers at 17:30, and Compline at 20:30, with Thursday and Sunday exceptions.
The monastery explicitly welcomes anyone to pray in the church with the monks, whose offices use traditional Gregorian chant. This is worship, not a concert: arrive early, silence your phone, avoid photography without permission, and recheck special feast schedules.
Reception, spiritual conversation, and retreats
Church entry and worship are free. At reception, visitors may request Mass intentions, publications, confession, or spiritual conversation. A particular monk may not be available without notice, so arrange personal meetings in advance.
Men making individual retreats stay in the internal guesthouse; women, couples, and groups may use the adjacent Aušros žvaigždė house. The monastery suggests no more than three days for a first retreat and up to a week for experienced guests. Dates, purpose, donation, and meals must be agreed beforehand.
Reaching Palendriai and respecting boundaries
The monastery lies about 7 km from the Šiauliai road. The official route runs from Kelmė towards Šaukėnai, then turns for Šalteniai and Palendriai. A regional bus can reach Šalteniai, leaving roughly 3 km on foot, but confirm the timetable on the travel date.
The old church and the new Benedictine complex are related but separate buildings. This page's map pin marks the newer monastery entrance. Remain in public approaches, the church, reception, and pre-arranged guest areas, respecting the monastery as the monks' home.
