A Benedictine Index The Cistercians One of the most fruitful reformations of the Order of Saint Benedict was effected by God's grace in Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). The movement Bernard and his followers inspired has survived and thrives in two major autonomous branches. The links below provide a Benedictine introduction to Cistercian history and the Order's current vitality.

Contents:

• "Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint" (1090-1153) by M. Basil Pennington OCSO, Modern Catholic Encyclopedia, (Liturgical Press, 1995).
• Charta Caritatis (the "Constitution" of the Cistercians written by St. Stephen Harding and approved in 1119)
• "The Cistercians: an introductory history" by M. Basil Pennington OCSO, Modern Catholic Encyclopedia, (Liturgical Press, 1995).
• Cistercians of the Common Observance (O. Cist.)
• Cistercians of the Strict Observance (O.C.S.O./Trappists)
• Thomas Merton (Fr. Louis OCSO, monk and author)
• Historical Cistercian Abbeys
• Web Resources

 

Web Resources
Biographies, Directories, Websites, etc.

• Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint (1090-1153). On Loving God (Christian Classics Ethereal Library).
• "Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint," by F.M. Gildas, Catholic Encyclopedia (NY, 1913).
• Bernardines of Esquermes. Motherhouse: Monastery of Notre Dame de La Plaine, Lille, France

• Cister.net (La Charte européenne des Abbayes et sites cistercien)
• Cistercian Publications (Dist. by Liturgical Press)
• Cistercian Studies Quarterly
• Cistopedia (monasticon, bibliotheca, lexicon, etc.  A joint project involving the Cistercian family)

• Glossary (The Cistercians in Yorkshire)
• International Association of Lay Cistercian Communities
• Kiser, John. The Monks of Tibhirine (St. Martin's Press, 2002)
• The Medieval Institute. Center for Cistercian and Monastic Studies (encourages and facilitates research on all aspects of the Cistercian tradition, WMU, Kalamazoo, MI)

• "Saint Robert of Molesme" (1029-1111), by F.M. Gildas Catholic Encyclopedia (NY, 1913).
• "Saint Stephen Harding" (ca. 1050-1134) by G. Roger Hudleston, Catholic Encyclopedia (NY, 1913).
• Vocations Placement: a Benedictine/Cistercian/Trappist Vocations Service
• Zisterzienseroblaten / Cistercensian Oblates

The Cistercians of the Common Observance [O. Cist.]

• Roma. Casa Generaliza * Directory of Monasteries
• Roma. The Benedict XVI Institute of Cistercian Studies and Chair of Cistercian Theology and Spirituality.
   
• Austria.  Stift Heiligenkreuz in Wienerwald * 2007 Visit of Pope Benedict XVI
• Brazil. São José do Rio Pardo - SP. Abadia Nossa Senhora de São Bernardo
• France. Notre Dame de Sénanque, F-84220 Gordes
• Germany. Ordensgemeinschaften in Deutschland
• Germany. Kloster Helfta, Eisleben, Diocese of Magdeburg
• Switzerland. Zisterzienserinnenabtei, Mariazell/Wurmsbach, CH-8715 Bollingen SG
• USA. Cistercian Abbey and School, Irving, Texas
• USA. Valley of Our Lady Monastery, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin

Contents

Cistercians of the Strict Observance [O.C.S.O./Trappists]

General + Europe + North America + Pacific + South America

• Roma. OCSO website * Addresses of Monasteries
• Cister.net/ - Abbayes et sites cisterciens d'Europe
• Cistercian Publications, texts and studies in the Cistercian tradition
• Cistercian Studies Quarterly (1966- ), an international review of the Christian monastic and contemplative spiritual tradition.
• Famille cistercienne
• International Lay Cistercians
• OSCO Monasteries (A-Z)

Europe

• Belgium. Orval.
• Belgium. Chimay.
• Belgium. Scourmont.
• Belgium. "Die Sechs Säulen der Trappistenbiere (The Six Pillars of Trappist Beer)"
• Czech Republic. Our Lady of Nový Dvur (ex Sept-Fons)
• France.  Abbayes
• Germany. Ordensgemeinschaften in Deutschland
• Ireland. Saint Mary's Abbey, Glencairn (women).
• Ireland. Mount Saint Joseph Abbey, Roscrea (men).
• The Netherlands. Abdij Koningshoeven (Tilburg), Eindhovenseweg 3, NL-5056 RP Berkel-Enschot
• Norway. Tautra Mariakloster, Taurtra, 7633 Frosta
• Switzerland. Abbaye de la Fille-Dieu, CH-1680 Romont, Suisse
• UK. England. Mount St. Bernard's Abbey (monks)
• UK. Scotland. Sancta Maria Abbey (monks), Nunraw, Haddington, East Lothian, EH41 4LW
• UK. Wales. Caldey Abbey (monks), Caldey Island, Tenby, Dyfed SA70 7UH
• UK. Wales. Whitland. Holy Cross Abbey (nuns)

North America. Trappists and Trappistine Nuns of the US Region.

• Abbey of The Genesee, 3258 River Road, Piffard, NY 14533
  • Genesee Lay Contemplatives
• Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, KY 40051
• "The Abbey of Gethsemani," a documentary film by Morgan Atkinson (Duckworks Inc., Louisville, KY)
• Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity, 1250 South 9500 East, Huntsville, UT 84317
• Assumption Abbey and Bakery (Ava, MO 65608)

• Canada. Notre Dame de l'Assomption. Rogersville, New Brunswick E4Y 2W8
• Holy Cross Abbey, 901 Cool Spring Lane, Berryville, VA 22611-2700
• Kiser, John W. The Monks of Tibihirine: Faith, Love and Terror in Algeria (St. Martin's Press, 2003)
  

• Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC
• MERTON, Thomas (Fr. Louis OCSO)
• Monastery of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, GA 30208
  • Lay Cistercians
• Mount Saint Mary's Abbey, 300 Arnold Street, Wrentham, MA 02093
  • Trappistine Quality Candy

• New Clairvaux Abbey, P.O. Box 80, Vina, CA 96092; 916-839-2161
• New Melleray Abbey, 6500 Melleray Circle, Peosta, IA 52068-9736
  • Trappist Caskets
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey, Lafayette, OR 97127
• Our Lady of the Angels, Crozet, VA 22932
• Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, Dubuque, IA 52003
  • Trappistine Creamy Caramels
• Our Lady of the Redwoods Abbey (Trappistine), 18104 Briceland-Thorn Rd., Whitethorn, CA 95589

• Saint Benedict's Monastery, 1012 Monastery Road, Snowmass, CO 81654
• Saint Joseph's Abbey, Spencer, MA 01562
  • Cistercian Publications (Dist. by Liturgical Press)
  • The Holy Rood Guild
  • Trappist Preserves (Dist. by Monastery Greetings)
• Santa Rita Abbey (Trappistine), Sonoita, AZ

Pacific

• Australia. Tarrawarra Abbey, Yarra Glen, Victoria

South America

• Chile. Benedictines and Trappists of Chile (Monasterios de Chile)

Contents

+ Thomas Merton, 1915-1968 (Fr. Louis OCSO).

• Thomas Merton (Wikipedia)
• Merton Artifacts -- a collection (Albert Romkema)
• Merton Retreats (Dan Phillips)
• Thomas Merton. The Red Diary (Emory University)
• Thomas Merton (Gethsemani Abbey)
• Thomas Merton Books (commercial, Bardstown, KY)
• Thomas Merton Center and the International Thomas Merton Society (Bellarmine Univ., Louisville, KY)
• The Merton Institute for Contemplative Living (Thomas Merton Foundation, Louisville, KY)
• Thomas Merton in de Lage Landen
• Thomas Merton Internet Bibliography
• Thomas Merton: Monk and Poet (Dan K. Phillips)
• The Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain and Ireland
• World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM www site)

Historical Cistercian Abbeys

• Balmerino Abbey, Fife, Scotland. (RCAHMS)
• Beaulieu Abbey: A King's Gift to the Cistercians (© Camelot Intl.)
• The Cistercians in Yorkshire, UK (Excellent!)
  
• Kinloss Abbey (The Home of Scottish Education)
• Whalley Abbey (1296-1537; UK)
• Museum Kloster Zinna, (1171- ; Germany)

Contents

OSB Index | International Institutions | Geographic Search

 

Notes

Arms of Citeaux, "Araldica Monastica," Dizionario degli Istituti di Perfezione / diretto da Guerrino Pelliccia e da Giancarlo Rocca, 1. ed., (Roma: Edizioni Paoline, 1974-).
Arms of the Cistercian Order, colophon vignette, Sigurd Curman, Bidrag till kannedomen om Cistercienserordens Byggnadskonst, I:Kykroplanen (Stockholm: Norstedt, 1912) 213.B
Hugh Witzmann OSB, "Saint Benedict" (bronze) (Saint John's Abbey).
Merton photo by John Howard Griffin used on Fr. M. Louis OCSO's death notice.