Rules & Guidelines
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”
(Colossians 3:15)
Rules & Guidelines for ALL
- Registration: All Liturgy visits and Retreats require prior approval. Visitors must be 18+ Or accompanied by a parent/guardian/servant.
- Hours: Visits Wednesdays 8AM–Sundays 2PM. Closed Mondays–Tuesdays and after 2 PM Sundays.
- Men’s Visits: Only for Divine Liturgies.
- Dress Code: Modest attire required; no shorts for men, women, boys, or girls.
- Conduct: Walk slowly, speak softly, and act modestly in reverence for God’s House. Children must stay with their guardian at all times.
- Facilities: Do not flush toilet paper or hygiene products. Keep place clean.
- Belongings: Visitors are responsible for their own items.
- Prohibited:
- Pets, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, vapes, and similar items are not permitted anywhere on convent grounds.
- Leaving the premises: Visitors and retreaters may not leave the convent grounds during their stay without prior permission.
- Photography & Recordings: To preserve the prayerful atmosphere of the convent and help everyone remain present and free from distractions, video, photography, and audio recordings of the monastics are not permitted. This includes Divine Liturgies, services, talks, prayers, praises, and other spiritual gatherings.
- We kindly ask all visitors to refrain from recording during services at any time. If a visitor is reminded multiple times and continues to record or use their device in a distracting manner, they may be asked to step outside the service.
Guidelines for Overnight Retreaters
Things to know prior to retreat
✠ The retreat house is closed Sunday at 2PM till Wednesday 8AM.
✠ FEMALES ONLY.
✠ Retreatants aged 6–17 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or designated servant.
✠ Retreatants may not leave and return to the convent during their retreat unless permission is granted for emergency reasons.
✠ Please register at least 3 days in advance and wait for an approval email.
✠ The convent is to be notified of any cancelations at least a week in advance via (951)837-0448 or email retreats@laconvent.org
✠ ✠ ✠
- Bring: Bible, Agpeya, spiritual book(s), veil (veils are available in the bookstore after Liturgy if needed), bed sheet, pillowcase, towel, and toothbrush.
- Consider bringing a jacket, as nights can get cold.
- Each room includes: a bed per person (5 per room), bathroom with shower, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, blankets, and cleaning supplies.
- Note: These items must remain in the room.
- Each room MUST have at least 1 servant/parent/guardian (4:1 ratio).
Upon Arrival
- Arrive at your approved arrival time.
- The latest permitted arrival time is 6:00 – 6:30 PM. Gate closes at 7 PM.
- You will be greeted by the responsible monastic for retreats, who will provide:
- A brief orientation
- The key(s) to your room(s)
During Your Stay
- We will take the blessing of offering the following meals to our registered visitors and retreaters:
- Breakfast: Following the Divine Liturgy, from 10:30/11:00 AM–12:00 PM.
- Lunch: Served at 3:30 PM. Each individual/group and/or servant(s) are responsible for cleaning the dining area and putting everything away after the meal.
- Dinner: Each individual/group and/or servant(s) are responsible for putting out lunch leftovers and/or available snacks that may be found in the designated refrigerator/freezer. Friendly reminder to clean the dining area and put everything away after the meal.
- You may not leave the convent premises during their stay without permission.
- Leaving without permission is not allowed during the retreat period and doing so without permission will result in the retreat being terminated.
- For the sake of peace and order, everyone is to retire to their rooms by 9:00 PM or directly after tasbeha at 11PM.
- The convent will observe a quiet time following Midnight Praises. Roaming the premises or gathering in groups after this time is not permitted. We kindly ask all guests to respect this period of silence and prayer.
- You are responsible for cleanliness of your room, eating areas, work areas, and the church.
- Refrain from sleeping on the beds without sheets and pillow cases.
- You will be given obediences/duties to share in the blessing of the Convent’s services.
- Please respect these duties; if unable to continue, you may kindly let the responsible monastic know.
- There will be times for:
- Quiet reflection
- Q&A/discussion with a monastic
- Any free time outside the schedule may be used at your discretion, but please:
- Maintain respectful silence
- Keep noise levels low in reverence for the Convent’s environment
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we mean by cleaning?
Rooms: Make bed, clean bathroom/shower, take out trash, sweep/mop, close windows, lock doors.
Dining area: Clear leftovers, wipe tables, clean spills.
Church: Pick up tissues/papers/bottles, take belongings, keep tidy.
How can I support the convent? What are the convent needs?
First through prayer.
Wishlist items are available (click here).
Donations: check (to St. Katherine of Alex & St. Verena Convent) or cash in the church donation box.
Where can I find the Convent Schedule?
On the Schedule Page (click here).
Also, emailed after registration approval.