Trappists Totally Explained

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ť Trappist redirects here. This article is about the Cistercian order. For the beer, see Trappist beer.

The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (O.C.S.O.: Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae), or Trappists, are a contemplative Roman Catholic religious order (see list of Catholic orders), that follows the Rule of St. Benedict.
They are a branch of the Cistercians and like the other Cistercian orders they also have a women's branch commonly referred to as the Trappistines.

History

The order takes the name of "Trappist" from La Trappe Abbey or "La Grande Trappe" in Normandy in France, where it began as a reform movement in 1664, in reaction to the relaxation of practices in many Cistercian monasteries. The reform was led by Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé, originally the commendatory abbot of La Trappe. As commendatory abbot, de Rancé was a layman who obtained income from the monastery but had no religious obligations. After a conversion of life between 1660 and 1662, de Rancé formally joined the abbey and became its regular abbot in 1663.

Monastic life

The life of the Trappists is guided by the Rule of St. Benedict, written in the sixth century. The Rule describes ideals and values of a monastic life.
   As a contemplative order, the Trappists live a life of prayer and penance. The day of a Trappist is divided between work and prayer. Manual work is preferred over other types of work and Trappist monasteries generally provide for themselves through the sale of goods produced in the monastery. Prayer is divided between the Divine Office, Lectio Divina and various other forms of meditative and contemplative prayer. Except for the ill, they abstain from meat and fowl and eat fish on a limited basis. To the extent that it's practical, they're expected to remain silent throughout the day and most especially at night. They are expected to live a life of strict personal poverty with few personal possessions and limited contact with the outside world.
   "Strict Observance" does mean stricter silence, certain situations excepted. Contrary to popular belief, they don't take a vow of silence . However, that'll generally only speak when necessary, and idle talk is strongly discouraged. Meals are usually taken in contemplative silence.
   The Trappists have received greater attention in recent years on account of the life and writings of Thomas Merton and, more recently, because of the popularity of Trappist ales such as Chimay.

Goods for sale

The 48th chapter of the Rule of Benedict states "You are only really a monk when you live from the work of your hands."
Following this rule, most Trappist monasteries produce goods that are then sold to provide an income for the monastery. The goods produced can range from cheese, bread and other foodstuffs to clothing and coffins. As the order doesn't require abstention from alcohol, some monasteries produce and sell alcoholic beverages. Some monasteries in Belgium and the Netherlands, such as Orval Abbey and Westvleteren Abbey, brew beer both for the monks and for sale to the general public. Trappist beers contain residual sugars and living yeast, and, unlike conventional beers, will improve with age. These have become quite famous and are considered by many beer critics to be amongst the finest in the world.

Locations

Argentina

Monasterio Trapense Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, near Azul, Buenos Aires

Australia

Tarrawarra Abbey

, Victoria, Australia

Belgium

Scourmont Abbey, (Chimay)

Orval Abbey, Florenville

Rochefort Abbey, Rochefort

Westmalle Abbey, Westmalle

Westvleteren Abbey, Westvleteren

Achel Abbey, Achel

Priory of Our Lady of Klaarland (Bocholt)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Marija Zvijezda (Maria Stern) near Banja Luka

Brazil

Our Lady of New World, near Campo do Tenente, Paraná Official site

Canada

Abbey of Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Oka, Quebec

Monastère Notre-Dame de Mistassini, Dolbeau-Mistassini, Quebec

Notre-Dame de l'Assomption Abbey, Rogersville, New Brunswick

Our Lady of the Prairies, Holland, Manitoba

Chile

Monastery of St. Mary of Miraflores, Rancagua

Monasterio Nuestra Señora de Quilvo (Trappistine nuns), Curico

Czech Republic

Nový Dvůr near Toužim

Dominican Republic

Monasterio Santa María del Evangelio, Jarabacoa

France

Our Lady of the Snows (Ardèche) ("Notre-Dame-des-Neiges")

Our Lady Port of Salvation, in Entrammes (Mayenne) Official site

Germany

Mariawald Abbey, Heimbach (Eifel)

Great Britain

Caldey Abbey, Caldey Island, off Tenby, Dyfed

Holy Cross Abbey, Whitland, South Wales

Mount St. Bernard Abbey, Coalville, Leicestershire

Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw, Haddington, East Lothian

Hong Kong

Our Lady of Joy Abbey (Trappist Haven Monastery), on Lantau Island

Indonesia

Temanggung known as Pertapaan Trapis Rawaseneng (Central Java, about 50 kilometers south-west Semarang, Central Java)

Ireland

Bolton Abbey, Moone, Athy, County Kildare

Mellifont Abbey, Collon, County Louth, oldest cistercian house in Ireland est.c.1142

Mount Melleray, Cappoquin, County Waterford

Mount St. Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, County Tipperary

Our Lady of Bethlehem, Portglenone, Ballymena, County Antrim

St. Mary's Abbey, Glencairn, Lismore, County Waterford

Israel

Latrun (about 15 kilometers west of Jerusalem)

Italy

Rome, Abbazia delle Tre Fontane, Abbazia delle Tre Fontane

Japan

Hiji, Hayami District, Ōita Prefecture

Kamiiso, Hokkaidō

Nishinomiya

Netherlands

Abdij Koningshoeven, Berkel-Enschot

Abdij Koningsoord, Berkel-Enschot

Abdij Sion, Diepenveen

Abdij Maria Toevlucht, Zundert

Abdij Lilbosch, Echt

Abdij O.L. Vrouw Onbevlekt Ontvangen, Tegelen

New Zealand

Southern Star Abbey

, Kopua, Hawkes Bay

Philippines

Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Monastery, Jordan, Guimaras

United States

Abbey of New Clairvaux, near Vina, California

Abbey of the Holy Spirit outside Conyers, Georgia

New Melleray Abbey, near Dubuque, Iowa

Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey (Trappistine nuns), Dubuque, Iowa

Abbey of Gethsemani near Bardstown, Kentucky (where Thomas Merton lived)

St. Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, Massachusetts

Mount Saint Mary's Abbey (Trappistine nuns), Wrentham, Massachusetts

Abbey of the Genesee, Piffard, New York

Assumption Abbey, Ava, Missouri

Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey, Lafayette, Oregon

Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, South Carolina

Holy Trinity Abbey, Huntsville, Utah

Holy Cross Abbey, near Berryville, Virginia

St. Benedict's Monastery, Snowmass, Colorado

Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels (Trappistine nuns), Crozet, VA

Venezuela

Monasterio Trapense Nuestra Señora de los Andes

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