“What do monks do?” That is the question frequently asked by those who sincerely wonder what happens inside a monastery.

They do a great variety of works, all of which should help them to seek and find God in the monastery.

Benedictine Education - Monks at Marmion Abbey have always been closely identified with education. Since 1933, the Marmion Benedictines have taught at Marmion Academy. Given the location of the school is on the same property as the monastery, a close connection between the two has been maintained. Thirty monks continue to be involved as teachers and administrators.

Pastoral Assistance - Marmion’s priest-monks have provided pastoral assistance to the Catholic parishes of the local Church from the start of their existence in Aurora. They provide assistance to a number of parishes and convents in the local Aurora deanery and the Rockford diocese on a regular basis. In the works of The Monastery the gifts of each Monk are cherished & placed at the service of The Church and The Community. Marmion has had monks serve as chaplains in the Armed Forces, as well as parish priests and prison chaplains at places outside the diocese.

Abbey Tree Farm - On the Abbey’s property of over 300 acres are a Christmas Tree Farm, orchard, many gardens and much green space. The monks oversee the planting and trimming of Christmas trees, as well as maintaining the lawns and flower beds. Produce from the garden and fruit from the orchard serve as staples that appear at monastic meals.

Mission in San Jose - Since 1965, Marmion has had a monastic foundation in Guatemala. The San José Priory is the site of a mixed monastic community of American and Guatemalan monks. Not unlike the monastic community at Marmion, the Guatemalan monks conduct a school. It is a seminary to educate the indigenous Guatemalans