Abbey of Regina Laudis facts for kids

The Benedictine Abbey of Regina Laudis is a special place where Benedictine nuns live and pray. It was started in 1947 by two nuns, Mother Benedict Duss and Mother Mary Aline Trilles de Warren. They came all the way from a very old abbey in France called Jouarre Abbey.

This abbey in Bethlehem, Connecticut, was one of the first places in the United States for contemplative Benedictine nuns. Contemplative means they focus on prayer and quiet reflection. The abbey is also known for its beautiful 18th-century Neapolitan Crèche, which is a detailed Christmas nativity scene.

A Look Back: Abbey History

How the Abbey Started

The land for the abbey was given to the nuns by a man named Robert Leather. He was a businessman who loved a pine-covered hill in Bethlehem. He wanted it to stay a sacred place forever. The abbey now covers about 400 acres (1.6 square kilometers).

In 1949, a movie called Come to the Stable was made. It starred Loretta Young and was based on the story of the nuns setting up their abbey. In the movie, the nuns were helped by a local artist named Lauren Ford.

The nuns received support from important church leaders. This included the future Pope John XXIII and Pope Paul VI. Pope Paul VI even suggested that the nuns should have a professional basis for their quiet, prayerful life. This would help attract American women to join the monastery.

Growing and Changing Over Time

When it first started in 1947, the monastery was a smaller community called a priory. It grew over the years to include about 40 nuns.

In 1976, the Monastery of Regina Laudis became an independent abbey. This was a big step! Mother Benedict Duss was chosen as the first Abbess. An Abbess is like the leader of an abbey. She was the first nun in America to receive this special blessing.

The abbey is known for its strong connection to the arts. The nuns often perform Gregorian Chant, which is a type of ancient church music. One of the nuns, Mother Dolores Hart, used to be an actress! Because of her background, the abbey now hosts summer theater shows.

Mother Dolores Hart works with other artists to put on plays. They perform at The Gary-The Olivia Theater, which is an outdoor theater. It was built in 1982 with help from actress Patricia Neal. They have performed plays by Shakespeare and other types of shows.

Another famous nun at the abbey is Sister Noella Marcellino. She is a special cheese maker who has a doctorate in microbiology. She has studied cheese making in great detail! She was even featured in a PBS documentary called The Cheese Nun.

Mother Maria Immaculata Matarese also lives at the Abbey. She is a lawyer and used to work in the Connecticut House of Representatives. Another nun, Mother Jerome von Nagel Mussayassul, was a well-known poet and translator. She was a German baroness before she joined the Abbey.

In 2001, Mother David Serna became the second Abbess of Regina Laudis. Then, in 2015, Mother Lucia Kuppens was elected the third Abbess. Mother Lucia has a Ph.D. in English and loves Shakespeare. She has worked to improve the abbey's buildings and facilities. She is helping to lead the abbey into the future!

Monastic Art Shop

Near the main entrance of the abbey, there is a shop called the "Monastic Art Shop." It is open to the public all year. You can find many unique items there, all made by the nuns or people connected to the abbey.

Some of the things you can buy include:

• Pottery and candles
• Woven and knitted goods
• Wool from the abbey's sheep
• Homemade granola
• Iron work made at the abbey's blacksmith shop
• Cheese, honey, and vinegar
• Herbs for cooking
• Perfumes and skin creams
• Books, cards, and religious art
• CDs of the nuns singing Gregorian chant