On Saturday, October 12th, members of the California and Northwest Chapters of the Patrons gathered for a truly special experience: a private tour, sung prayers, and lunch at St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange County. Nestled within 300+ acres of peaceful landscape in Silverado Canyon, the abbey provided a serene and inspiring setting for the day’s visit.

Founded in 1961 by seven Hungarian priests who fled communist persecution, the Norbertine order at St. Michael’s Abbey is part of a 900-year-old Catholic religious tradition that began in northeastern France. Today, the abbey is home to more than fifty priests and nearly forty seminarians who live a life of liturgical devotion and service.

The group was warmly welcomed and treated to a guided tour of the abbey’s impressive 40-acre campus. Designed by architect Jean-Louis Pagès, the monastery’s Romanesque design was inspired by 12th-century monastic architecture from Provence, France. Every detail—from the stonework to the chapel’s acoustics—reflected the deep spiritual and artistic traditions that shaped the space.

Following the tour, patrons were invited to participate in the abbey’s sung noon prayers, an immersive and moving liturgical experience. The visit concluded with a shared meal in the refectory, offering members time to connect and reflect on the unique blend of art, architecture, faith, and community that defines the abbey.

We are deeply grateful to the Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael’s Abbey for opening their doors to us and providing such a meaningful and memorable experience. It was an extraordinary day that beautifully captured the Patrons’ shared commitment to culture, history, and the sacred arts.