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Revision as of 06:38, 16 August 2012

This article is about the Cistercian order. For the cheese popular in Hungary, see Trappista cheese. For the beer, see Trappist beer. For the telescope, see TRAPPIST.
Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance
AbbreviationOrder of Trappists (O.C.S.O.)
TypeCatholic religious order
Websitewww.ocso.org

The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (O.C.S.O.: Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae) is a Roman Catholic religious order of cloistered contemplative monastics who follow the Rule of St. Benedict. A branch of the Order of Cistercians, they have communities of both monks and nuns, commonly referred to as Trappists and Trappistines, respectively.

History

The order takes the name of "Trappist" from La Trappe Abbey or La Grande Trappe in Normandy in France. A reform movement began there in 1664, in reaction to the relaxation of practices in many Cistercian monasteries. Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé, originally the commendatory abbot of La Trappe, led the reform. 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. In 1892 the reformed "Trappists" broke away from the Cistercian order and formed an independent monastic order with the approval of the Pope.

Monastic life

A Trappist monk reading in his cell.

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.

"Strict Observance" refers to the Trappists' goal of following closely St. Benedict's Rule, and taking the three vows described in his Rule (c. 58): stability, fidelity to monastic life, and obedience. Benedict's insistence on lack of speech has some impact on their way of life, though, contrary to popular belief, they do not take a vow of silence. Trappist monks generally only speak when necessary; thus idle talk is strongly discouraged. According to St. Benedict, speech disturbs a disciple's quietude and receptivity, and may tempt one to exercise one's own will instead of the will of God. Speech which leads to unkind amusement or laughter is seen as evil and is banned. A Trappist Sign Language, distinct from other forms of monastic sign language, was developed to render speaking unnecessary. Meals are usually taken in contemplative silence as members of the order are supposed to listen to a reading.

The Trappists have received particular attention in recent years because of the popularity of the writings of Thomas Merton, a member of the order. More recently, the critically acclaimed film Of Gods and Men and the popularity of Trappist beers, such as Chimay, Westmalle, and a few others, has brought additional publicity to the order.

Goods for sale

The 48th chapter of the Rule of St. Benedict states "for then are they monks in truth, if they live by the work of their hands".

Following this rule, most Trappist monasteries produce goods which are sold to provide income for the monastery. The goods produced range from cheese, bread and other foodstuffs to clothing and coffins. As the order does not require abstention from alcohol, some monasteries produce and sell alcoholic beverages. 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, as bottle-conditioned beers do, will improve with age. These have become quite famous and are considered by many beer critics to be amongst the finest in the world.

Monasteries

Monastery of Santa María la Real of Oseira, in Galicia, Spain.
Monastery of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows, in Latrun, Israel.
Orval Abbey, near Florenville, Belgium.

There are nearly 170 Trappist monasteries and convents in the world, homes to approximately 2,100 Trappist monks and 1,800 Trappistine nuns.

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil

Canada

Chile

Czech Republic

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

France

Germany

Great Britain

Hong Kong

Indonesia

  • Temanggung known as Pertapaan Santa Maria, Rawaseneng (Central Java, about 50 kilometers south-west Semarang, Central Java) (monks)
  • Gedono known as Pertapaan Bunda Pemersatu, Gedono (Central Java, Salatiga) (nuns)
  • Wallanabi (Flores) (monks)

Ireland & Northern Ireland

Israel

Italy

Japan

Mexico

Netherlands

New Zealand

Philippines

Spain

Taiwan

United States

Venezuela

Activities

The Trappist monks of the Tre Fontane (Three Fountains) Abbey raise the lambs whose wool is used to make the pallia of new metropolitan archbishops. The Pope presents the pallia to them on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the Holy Apostles; they are blessed by the Pope on the Feast of Saint Agnes, January 21.

See also

References

Notes

  1. M. Basil Pennington, OCSO. "The Cistercians: An Introductory History". The Order of Saint Benedict. Retrieved 2008-01-01.
  2. "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Jean-Armand Le Bouthillier de Rance". Newadvent.org. 1911-06-01. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
  3. OCist.Hu - A Ciszterci Rend Zirci Apátsága (2002-12-31). "History". OCist.Hu. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
  5. "OSB. Rule of Benedict : Text, English, Jan May Sep 3/3". Osb.org. 2006-05-06. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
  6. Rule of St. Benedict, c. 38: Reading must not be wanting at the table of the brethren when they are eating. The 1949 Edition Translated by Rev. Boniface Verheyen, OSB
  7. "The Rule of St. Benedict". Ccel.org. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
  8. "New Camra guide has lots of bottle - 02/08/06". CAMRA. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
  9. "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter - Chastity, poverty and a pint". Beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2011-03-09.

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