The Abbey of New Clairvaux celebrates its 56th birthday on July 2nd. The Abbey was established in 1955 when monks from the Abbey of Gethsemani sought to begin a foundation in California. The monks live an austere contemplative life of penance and  prayer on behalf of the reparation of sins. Their order is called Cistercians of the Strict Observance.  The setting is extremely quiet and the monastery is completely hidden behind a wall that separates the guest and extern quarters and the monastic enclosure. There is very little interaction between the monks and retreatants; however, guests are welcome to join the monks in the chapel to chant the Divine Office seven times per day, beginning with Vigils at 3:30am and ending with Compline at 7:35pm.