Abbey of the Genesee facts for kids

The Abbey of the Genesee is a special place where a group of more than twenty-five monks live. It's located near Piffard in York, New York. These monks are part of a group called the Trappists, who are known for their quiet and thoughtful way of life. The Abbey started in 1951, with monks coming from the Abbey of Gethsemani in Bardstown, Kentucky. The Abbey of the Genesee is famous for making "Monks' Bread." The monks bake this bread themselves and sell it to help support their community.

What is Monks' Bread?

A big part of what the monks do is bake a special kind of bread called Monks' Bread. They sell this bread at their Abbey store and also send it to local supermarkets. Selling the bread helps the Abbey and the monks living there.

How Monks' Bread Started

The bread was first made by one of the monks, Brother Sylvester. He baked it for the monks and their visitors. Over time, more and more people outside the Abbey wanted to buy the bread. This led to the monks starting their commercial bakery.

Baking Schedule

The monks bake bread several times each week. They start very early in the morning. Because of this, the monks go to bed around seven in the evening. They wake up about two in the morning to begin baking. For safety and cleanliness, visitors cannot watch the baking process. However, you can see pictures and slides of it.

Types of Bread and Other Products

The Abbey bakes different kinds of bread. These include white, whole wheat, rye, and raisin bread. They also make other items like special coffee, jams, and fruitcakes.

Visiting the Abbey

The Abbey chapel is open from 3:30 AM to 7:30 PM. The Abbey store has specific opening hours, usually from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on certain days.

For Casual Visitors

If you are just visiting for a short time, you can only see a small part of the Abbey. This is to help the monks keep their peaceful way of life.

For Guests on Retreats

The Abbey welcomes serious individual guests and small groups. These visitors can come for a retreat, which is a time for quiet thought and spiritual reflection. Guests can also talk with the monks for guidance. There is a small fee to help cover the costs of these visits.

A Famous Book About the Abbey

In 1974, a Dutch priest and writer named Henri Nouwen was allowed to live with the monks for seven months. This was quite unusual. While Trappists do welcome guests for a few days, it's rare for someone to become a "temporary monk" like Nouwen did. He was given this special permission because he was a close friend of the Abbot, who was the head of the Abbey at the time.

The Genesee Diary

After his time at the Abbey, Henri Nouwen published his diary in 1976. The book was called The Genesee Diary - Report from a Trappist Monastery. This book is now considered a very important work. It helps people understand the Trappist way of life and what it means to live a quiet, spiritual life. Many people who are thinking about becoming monks are encouraged to read this book.