Saint Benedict Abbey, Quebec facts for kids
Saint Benedict Abbey is a special monastery located in Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, Quebec, Canada. It was founded in 1912 by a group of monks from France. This peaceful place is where monks live and pray, following the ancient rules of Saint Benedict.
About Saint Benedict Abbey
Saint Benedict Abbey is a home for monks who dedicate their lives to God. It is found in a quiet area of Quebec, Canada. The monks here follow a way of life that has been around for a very long time. They focus on prayer, studying the Bible, and doing both physical and mental work. They live together as a community, led by an Abbot.
A Brief History
The abbey was started in 1912 by monks who came from Fontenelle Abbey in France. They had to leave their home country. The leader of this group was Abbot Dom Joseph Pothier. He was a very important person who helped bring back the traditional Gregorian chant, which is a type of religious singing.
Later, the monastery became independent. This means it could make its own decisions while still being part of a larger group of Benedictine monasteries called the Solesmes Congregation. The main buildings of the abbey were designed by an architect named Father Paul Bellot between 1939 and 1941.
Life as a Monk
Today, more than fifty monks live at Saint Benedict Abbey. They live a life that is mostly separate from the outside world. Their main goal is to seek God through daily activities. These activities include celebrating the Church's liturgy, which are special religious services. They also spend time in private prayer and meditation, often reading the Bible.
Besides prayer, the monks also do different kinds of work. This can be manual work, like gardening or making products, or intellectual work, like studying and writing. All these activities help them to live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, which guides their community life.
