Monastery of Perpetual Adoration

There aren’t many contemplative orders left in the United States! Really easy to miss this spot if you aren’t searching for it because it unassumingly blends right into the Lycée Français. I only went for the first time yesterday, and I’m glad I did. It definitely has a serene, solemn, peaceful feeling on entering. It’s small, but feels spiritually enormous. Stations of the cross on the walls are beautiful, and the altar itself is just the loveliest white and gold you’ve ever seen. I hear that it’s amazing at Christmas.
The gift shop on the other side of the block is noted with a paper printout that reads «RELIGIOUS ARTICLES», and it is AMAZING. There’s so much stuff. Be a doll if you need to get something from behind the counter on the opposite end of the store, do just tell the nun running the register that you’ll get it yourself instead of making her walk way out of her cloistered area.
Tips: Go in the side, smaller door to enter, and read the bulletin for tips on proper attire/​mannerisms. There is a sign that makes mention of wearing modest attire while in the chapel, so it would be good to take note of that out of respect. I personally just covered my hair with a scarf, but wore jeans.

I found this serene and deeply spiritual chapel after researching places in or near SF that offer perpetual adoration. I’m glad I found it. This is a wonderful place to escape the city and to sit in quiet meditation. The sisters, cloistered nuns, do come at regular intervals to pray. It is nice to silently join them if you can follow the prayers. I think when I was there they were just finishing up the Terce, or mid-​morning prayers. Besides the nuns and myself I think there were only two other people in the chapel. Each of us was praying silently. The chapel has so much lovely artwork and a beautiful alter to inspire you during your visit. A must see.

This chapel is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever been in. They decorate elaborately for Christmas and other holidays. It is a peaceful and beautiful place to meditate even if you aren’t catholic. This is a conservative order, so it is nice if you wear a scarf on your head when you go in. (not necessary, tho’)

While checking out the Cole Valley area above the Haight, I stumbled literally across this lovely chapel that is run by the Sisters of the Perpetual Adoration. The Foundress of their order is Mother Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation. The nuns are in prayer constantly all day long for the benefit of the entire humankind and world. They lead cloistered lives.
The chapel is located at the corner of Ashbury and Frederick and next to the Lycée Francais La Perouse-​French School. The chapel is open from 6AM to 6PM daily with a daily Mass at 6AM (the public is welcome during these posted hours).
When I entered the chapel, there was a small foyer with an equally small table. On the table sat flyers about the upcoming Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving for the beautification of their Foundress Mother Mary Magdalene of the Incarnation. The date of the event is Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 1PM at St. Mary’s Cathedral (1111 Gough Street @ Geary Blvd. SF, CA 94 109). The celebrants are the Most Reverend George H. Niederauer, DD. Ph.D. and invited Priests. Next to the flyers about this event were prayer cards of the Infant Jesus.
As I moved down the small and narrow hallway, it turned to the right. The most beautiful chapel opened up before my eyes with natural light and light colored stone to magnify the brightness within. The pews were a natural dark wood color which stood out against the white stone. The altar and religious statues at the front of the chapel were equally beautiful. An elderly woman smiled as she walked by me on her way out muttering a French accented «God bless you my child.»
I knelt on the kneeler in the front pew and said some prayers. Upon my completion, I stood and proceeded to the votive candles. Placing some dollar bills inside the black iron wrought box, I took a slender wooden stick and lit it from a tall candle. I touched the flame to two votive candles and said another prayer.
Before I left the chapel, I turned to look at the back of the chapel. There was an intricately designed wooden fretwork barrier that separates the sisters from the general public. There kneeled a sister praying silently with her head bowed downward.
Leaving the chapel, I felt a kind of peace that I wish more people felt in their day to day lives. For those so inclined, the chapel is open from 6AM to 6PM daily… you don’t have to be Roman Catholic to visit but you should be mindful and respectful when you do… Amen.