We are the Cistercians of the Strict Observance, a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church, also known as "Trappists" or "Trappistines". Within the enclosure of the monastery, forgotten by the world, we joyfully embrace an ascetic discipline which fosters conversion of life to the pattern of Christ's life of prayer, sacrifice, and loving service to our neighbor. Since the arrival of the first Cistercians in North America in 1848, we have become seventeen monasteries in twelve states, living a distinctive life of hidden fruitfulness at the heart of the church. Learn more about us →
Crossing Monastery Road in the dark this morning, at about 4:30 a.m., my eyes are drawn up the driveway of Holy Family Church which rises to a crest upon which the church is set with its proud little steeple. I see the facade barely illumined by a single street lamp on the drive way at the base of the front steps.
People will tell you that silence in a monastery is something sad, a difficult point of the Rule. Nothing could be more mistaken than that idea. Silence in a Trappist monastery is the most cheerful jargon imaginable!
Sister Rebecca Stromowski was elected the new Abbess of O.L.M. on Monday. She has been Novice Director for many years and was featured in the DVD "Monastery". Visit her community's website here.
Theme by Danetsoft and Danang Probo Sayekti inspired by Maksimer