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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is the cost per night at the Regina Caeli Hermitage?
All are welcome! Your financial contribution is important, but please just give what you can.
Suggested donation (meals not included) for a stay in the Dome House:
- $40 per person and per day stay
- $75 per person and per day with overnight stay
Suggested donation (meals not included) for a stay in the "Patience" cabin:
- $30 per person and per day stay
- $60 per person and per day with overnight stay
- $25 per person and per day stay
- $50 per person and per day with overnight stay
We would expect you to leave your donation by the end of your stay, in the Dome House's Donations Box.
Donations for our future projects (new cabins, continuous road improvement, etc.) are also welcome.
- Is there internet and phone at the Regina Caeli Hermitage?
There is internet at the Dome House, but we highly recommend that only the group leader use it if necessary, so to make most of your retreat at the RCH. There is almost no coverage for cell phones. However, there is a landline (satellite) phone available.
- How is the road to the Regina Caeli Hermitage and
what type of car do I need?
what type of car do I need?
Blue Jay Gulch, the dirt road to the Regina Caeli Hermitage, is a mountain road. It can be a difficult road to drive, especially because of the ruts, which is why we advise driving a high road clearance car. It can be slippery in winter, which requires a four-wheel drive and snow tires or chains during winter season.
The road is one-lane. If you meet a car on the road, the car driving down has the right-of-way, and the car driving up needs to back up.
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Is there wildlife at the Regina Caeli Hermitage?
The grounds are relatively safe, but there is wildlife present. A few mountain lions and black bears were spotted in the last few years. Deer and small animals are more commonly seen. We advise that you stay near the Dome House for your safety. We ask that you refrain from walking the grounds around sunrise and sunset, and at night. If you choose to leave the Dome House, take along a walking stick and emergency whistle (we have a few available); we suggest you walk in groups. To prevent wildlife from approaching the Dome House, please use common sense and follow typical outdoor etiquette rules (do not leave food or garbage outside, etc.). |
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- Who is in charge of the Regina Caeli Hermitage?
The Roman Catholic Community of Saint John has cared for the Regina Caeli Hermitage since 2002, when it became the Desert House for the U.S. Region of the Brothers of Saint John. Apart from two summer months, during which the Regina Caeli Hermitage is occupied by young religious, the place is available to groups and individuals that desire to retreat in a silent and peaceful place, surrounded by the beauty of nature. However, if there are no novices, the summer months are open, too. Learn more about the Brothers of Saint John at http://csjohn.com.
- Is the Regina Caeli Hermitage available to non-Catholics?
The purpose of the Regina Caeli Hermitage is to provide Christian groups and individuals a place for reflection, meditation, and prayer. It is not a vacation spot. The Dome House has a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament, the sacramental Body of Jesus, may be kept. This makes the Regina Caeli Hermitage a deeply spiritual place. We ask all our guests—Catholics and non-Catholics— to remember that they are in the presence of God. We also kindly ask our guests to refrain from any spiritual practices not compatible with Christian faith.
The purpose of the Regina Caeli Hermitage is to provide Christian groups and individuals a place for reflection, meditation, and prayer. It is not a vacation spot. The Dome House has a chapel where the Blessed Sacrament, the sacramental Body of Jesus, may be kept. This makes the Regina Caeli Hermitage a deeply spiritual place. We ask all our guests—Catholics and non-Catholics— to remember that they are in the presence of God. We also kindly ask our guests to refrain from any spiritual practices not compatible with Christian faith.
- Are meals offered at the Regina Caeli Hermitage?
We ask that our guests bring their own food to eat or to cook. Some basic items found in the kitchen (salt, pepper, sugar, oil, etc.) may be used. Please do not leave or dispose of any food or garbage on the grounds. After a retreat has ended, guests are asked to take all their perishable food and garbage with them. However, meals can be provided if you desire so, just check the appropriate box while making your reservation.
- Are children allowed at the Regina Caeli Hermitage?
Because of the presence of wildlife and the hermitage’s mission of silence, children are not allowed. If you wish to make a retreat and bringing children is necessary, please speak with us before reserving the Dome House. As a rule, children are not allowed for their own safety!
- Are pets allowed at the Regina Caeli Hermitage?
No. The presence of wildlife in the area and the purpose of silence makes it unwise to bring pets, so no pets are allowed.
- Is there Mass offered at the Regina Caeli Hermitage?
A Brother of Saint John, who lives as a hermit on the grounds of the Regina Caeli Hermitage, is a priest. You may ask him to celebrate a Mass or provide for the confessions, if you do not have a priest coming with your group. If the hermit is absent, several Catholic parishes are nearby, such as St. Frances Cabrini, Light of the World, and Saint Mary. These parishes offer daily Mass, adoration and confession.
