Trappists facts for kids
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Ordo Cisterciensis Strictioris Observantiae
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Logo of the Trappists.
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Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé, the founder of the Trappists
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| Abbreviation | OCSO |
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| Formation | 1664 |
| Founder | Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé |
| Founded at | La Trappe Abbey |
| Type | Catholic religious order |
| Headquarters | Viale Africa, 33 Rome, Italy |
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Abbot General
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Bernardus Peeters |
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Parent organization
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Catholic Church |
| Website | www.ocso.org |
The Trappists are a special group of monks and nuns in the Catholic Church. Their official name is the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO). They live a quiet, prayerful life, often staying within their monasteries.
They are called Trappists because their group started at La Trappe Abbey in France. This happened in 1664, when Abbot Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé introduced strict new rules. Over time, these rules led to the Trappists becoming their own separate religious order in 1892.
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History of the Trappists
The Trappist order gets its name from La Trappe Abbey in France. This is where their special way of life began.
How the Trappists Started
The reform movement started with Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé. He was in charge of La Trappe Abbey. At first, he was a "commendatory abbot." This meant he got money from the monastery but wasn't a monk himself.
Between 1660 and 1662, de Rancé changed his life. He gave up his wealth and became a monk at the abbey in 1663.
In 1664, de Rancé made the rules at La Trappe much stricter. Many Cistercian monasteries at the time had become less strict. De Rancé wanted to bring back a very disciplined way of life.
His new rules focused on hard work, silence, simple food, and staying away from the outside world. The hard work helped the monastery support itself. This meant they didn't need much contact with people outside. This strict way of life spread to many other Cistercian monasteries. These monasteries then started calling themselves "Trappist."
Trappists During the French Revolution
In 1792, during the French Revolution, the French government took over La Trappe Abbey. The Trappists were forced to leave.
A monk named Augustin de Lestrange led some monks to Switzerland. They started a new monastery there. They followed even stricter rules, going back to the very old ways of Saint Benedict.
Later, in 1798, the French invaded Switzerland, and the monks had to move again. Eventually, Dom Augustin and his monks were able to return to La Trappe.
Becoming a Separate Order
Over time, different Trappist monasteries had slightly different rules. To bring them all together, the Trappist groups officially left the main Cistercian Order in 1892. They formed a new, separate order called the "Order of Reformed Cistercians of Our Lady of La Trappe." This was approved by Pope Leo XIII.
Famous Trappists
One well-known Trappist was Thomas Merton. He was a famous writer who wrote about spiritual topics. He joined the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1941. His books and letters became very popular. Some of his famous works include The Seven Storey Mountain.
The first Trappist to become a saint was Rafael Arnáiz Barón. He was a young man who lived a very religious life. He had diabetes mellitus and died in 1938 at age 27. He was recognized as a saint in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI.
Monastic Life
Trappists follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. This rule guides their daily life. "Strict Observance" means they try to follow this rule very closely. They make three promises:
- Stability: To stay in their chosen monastery for life.
- Fidelity to monastic life: To live a true monastic life.
- Obedience: To obey their abbot or abbess.
Trappists usually speak only when necessary. This is because Benedict's rule says that too much talking can disturb a person's inner peace. However, they do not take a vow of silence. They even developed a special monastic sign language to communicate without speaking. During meals, they usually eat in silence while listening to someone read aloud.
Unlike some other monks, Trappists do not eat "flesh meats" (like beef or pork). However, they do eat poultry, fish, and seafood. Their diet mostly includes vegetables, beans, and grain products. Some monasteries even raise chickens.
Daily Life
The Liturgy of the Hours is a very important part of a Trappist's day. This is a set of prayers said at different times. The exact schedule can change, but here is a typical day:
- 3:30 AM: Wake up
- 4:00 AM: Vigils (morning prayers), followed by meditation or private prayer
- 5:30 AM: Breakfast
- 6:30 AM: Lauds (morning praise)
- 7:30 AM: Eucharist (Mass) (10:00 AM on Sundays)
- 8:00 AM: The "Great Silence" ends (they can speak more freely, but still only when needed)
- 8:30 AM: Terce (mid-morning prayer)
- 9:00 AM: Morning work period begins
- 12:00 PM: Sext (midday prayer)
- 12:15 PM: Dinner
- 12:45 PM: Rest time
- 1:30 PM: None (afternoon prayer)
- 1:45 PM: Afternoon work period begins
- 5:00 PM: Supper
- 6:00 PM: Vespers (evening prayer)
- 7:30 PM: Compline (night prayer)
- 8:00 PM: The "Grand Silence" begins (they return to strict silence) and they go to bed
Becoming a Trappist
Becoming a Trappist takes several steps. Each monastery might have slightly different rules, but generally, the process is:
- Candidate/Observer: People interested in joining visit the monastery. They talk to the leaders and might live there for a short time (at least a month).
- Postulancy: If they decide to continue, they live as a "postulant" for several months. They are guided by a director.
- Novitiate: Postulants receive the monastic clothes and officially become a "novice." This stage lasts for two years, and they continue to learn about the Trappist life.
- Temporary Vows: After the novitiate, novices can make temporary promises (vows). They live this stage for three to nine years, studying and practicing the monastic way of life.
- Final Vows: After completing the previous stage, members can make final vows for their entire life.
Manual Labor
The Rule of St. Benedict says that monks should "live by the work of their hands." So, manual labor is a big part of a Trappist's life, along with their prayers. The work helps the community support itself and also helps the monks grow spiritually.
Trappist monasteries produce many different goods. These can include cheeses, bread, and other foods. They also make clothing and even coffins. Their most famous products are Trappist beers. These beers are known for their high quality and unique flavor. Monasteries brew beer for the monks to drink and to sell to the public.
For example, the Trappist monks of the Tre Fontane Abbey in Italy raise lambs. The wool from these lambs is used to make special cloths called pallia for new archbishops.
The monks of New Melleray Abbey in Iowa, USA, make caskets for themselves and to sell.
Cistercian College, Roscrea in Ireland is the only Trappist school left in the world. It is a boarding school for boys.
Organization
Trappist monasteries have spread all over the world. Many new ones were started outside Europe in the 20th century. The number of Trappist monasteries has more than doubled in the last 60 years. For example, in 1940, there was only one Trappist monastery in Africa, but now there are 17.
As of 2018, there were 1,796 Trappist monks and 1,592 Trappistine nuns around the world.
How the Order is Structured
Trappist communities are independent, but they are connected through important systems:
- Regular Visitation: A special "Father Immediate" visits each monastery about every two years. Their job is to help the abbot or abbess and make sure the community is doing well.
- General Chapter: This is the highest authority of the order. All abbots and abbesses meet every three years for three weeks. They make important decisions and elect the Abbot General.
Abbots General
The Abbot General is the main leader of the Trappist order. They are elected by the General Chapter and live in Rome. They are helped by a council of five members. The current Abbot General is Dom Bernardus Peeters.
Here is a list of the Abbots General:
- 1892–1904: Sébastien Wyart
- 1904–1922: Augustin Marre
- 1922–1929: Jean-Baptiste Ollitraut de Keryvallan
- 1929–1943: Herman-Joseph Smets
- 1943–1951: Dominique Nogues
- 1951–1963: Gabriel Sortais
- 1964–1974: Ignace Gillet
- 1974–1990: Ambroise Southey
- 1990–2008: Bernardo-Luis-José Oliveira
- 2008–2022: Eamon Fitzgerald
- 2022–present: Bernardus Peeters
See also
- Cistercian Martyrs of Atlas
- Enclosed religious orders
- Missionary Order of Mariannhill
