Abbey of the Genesee facts for kids
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Our Lady of the Genesee Abbey |
| Order | Trappists |
| Established | May 26, 1951 |
| Mother house | Gethsemani Abbey |
| Diocese | Diocese of Rochester |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Gerard McGinley, O.C.S.O. |
| Abbot | Gerard D'Souza, O.C.S.O. |
| Site | |
| Location | 3258 River Road, Piffard, New York |
| Country | United States |
| Website | geneseeabbey.org |
The Abbey of the Genesee is a special place where a group of monks live. These monks are called Trappists, and they focus on prayer and quiet living. The Abbey is located near Piffard, in the town of York, New York. It was started in 1951 by monks from another abbey called Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky.
The Abbey is famous for making "Monks' Bread." The monks bake this bread themselves and sell it. This helps them support their community and their way of life.
Contents
What is Monks' Bread?
Baking "Monks' Bread" is a very important job for the monks. They sell this special bread at the Abbey store. You can also find it in many supermarkets nearby. Selling the bread helps the Abbey pay for its needs and support the monks who live 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 guests. Soon, people outside the Abbey wanted to buy the bread too. This led to the large baking operation you see today.
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 around 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 how it's done.
Types of Bread and Other Products
The Abbey bakes many kinds of bread. These include white, whole wheat, rye, and raisin bread. They also make other tasty products. These include gourmet coffee, jams, and fruitcakes.
Visiting the Abbey
The Abbey chapel is open to visitors 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. If you are a casual visitor, you can only enter a small part of the Abbey.
Spiritual Retreats
The Abbey welcomes serious individual guests and small groups. These visitors can come for a retreat. A retreat is a time for quiet reflection and spiritual growth. Guests can also talk with the monks for guidance. There is a small fee to help cover the costs of these visits.
A Special Book About the Abbey
In 1974, a Dutch priest and writer named Henri Nouwen lived at the Abbey. He stayed with the monks for seven months. This was very unusual. Trappist monasteries usually allow guests for only a few days. It is not common 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, John Eudes.
The Genesee Diary
After his stay, Henri Nouwen wrote a book about his experiences. It was published in 1976 and called The Genesee Diary - Report from a Trappist Monastery. This book is now considered a very important work. It teaches people about Trappist spirituality and a quiet, prayerful way of life. Many people who are thinking about becoming monks read this book. It helps them understand what monastic life is like.
