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.
If you happen to live in a community, do not move to another place, for it will harm you greatly. If a bird leaves her eggs, they never hatch. So also the monk and the nun grow cold and dead in faith by going from place to place.
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