Updated: December 7, 2021

Our response to COVID-19

To help protect the health and safety of all who live, work, and visit the Abbey during the COVID-19 pandemic, and after carefully monitoring the news, listening to the recommendations of health authorities and following the directives of the Vancouver Archdiocese, Westminster Abbey has implemented the following measures:

GATE CLOSED @ 6:30 p.m.

  • At this time, all buildings are closed to the public except for the abbey church and the guesthouse (Please see “Abbey Church” below.)
  • THERE IS ACCESS TO PUBLIC WASHROOMS in the guesthouse lobby.
  • We are asking visitors to postpone coming to the abbey church or enjoying the grounds if they are ill or know they have had contact with someone who is ill with the coronavirus.
  • Masks are required in public indoor settings for all people 5 years and older.
  • The guesthouse is open. (See “Guesthouse” below).

Abbey Church

MASS OPEN TO A CONGREGATION

As of July 1, the abbey church is again open to the public for Mass.

MASS INFORMATION

Sunday

  • The Sunday Mass is at 10:00 a.m.
  • A priest is available for confessions from 9:30 to 9:55 a.m. Confessionals are in the abbey church.

Weekday

  • The Weekday Mass is at 6:30 a.m.

RESTRICTIONS

The Public Health Order states “50% capacity limits or restrictions on religious gatherings and worship services.”

Sundays and Weekdays

  • We are asking visitors to wash their hands at the sinks inside the entrance to the abbey church.
  • Masks are required in public indoor settings for all people 5 and older.

At other times of the day, the Abbey Church is open for public prayer with the monks (see prayer times) and private prayer in keeping with the following schedule:

Sundays

Weekdays

5:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

5:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Guesthouse

  • If you have current reservations for the Abbey Guesthouse and have any questions or concerns, please contact the Guestmaster, Father Mark at info@westminsterabbey.ca or call 604.826.8975.

Seminary of Christ the King

  • Major seminarians are in session for the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • Minor seminarians are in session for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Praying without Ceasing

Above all, we want our guests, visitors and the general public to know that we will not cease to raise our voices to God, our Merciful Father, on your behalf. As we journey together through the hardships of this difficult time, let us pray that the Lord transform our fear or anxiety into a firm faith and steadfast hope. Let us reach out to the lonely and the needy and to those who can be easily forgotten during these days.

In Christ,

The Monastic Community

For the Vancouver archdiocesan response to Covid-19, go to: https://rcav.org/coronavirus/