Abbey of the Genesee

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THE HISTORY OF THE C ONSECRATED L IFE Trappist Abbey of the Genesee

e Abbey of the Genesee is a community of contemplative monks living according to the Rule of St. Benedict and the Caption, Caption, Caption, Constitutions of the Order Caption, Caption, Caption. of Cistercians of the Strict The communal life of the monastery is centered on the celebration of the Eucharist. Observance (O.C.S.O.), more commonly known as Trappists. One of 17 Trappist monasteries located in the Time spent walking in the presence of God. United States, they strive to seek God and follow Christ A novice gets guidance from the novice master. Data entry can be part of the “work of God.” under a rule and an abbot in a stable community that is a school of brotherly love.

Opening one’s mind and heart to God’s love through study. Supporting the community through “Monk’s Bread.” Spiritual reading deepens one’s prayer life. or more than nine centuries Cis- Abbey are 1,200 acres of forest, ravines, Ftercians have witnessed to the rolling hills and a creek while an additional Gospel of Jesus Christ by a clois- 1,200 acres of woods and farm lands tered, communal life wholly ordered to serve to maintain their rural solitude. To contemplation. Within the enclosure of encourage contemplation, they observe the monastery, they joyfully embrace an silence, speaking in a limited way when ascetic discipline which fosters conver- necessary, and exclude the use of radio and sion of life to the pattern of Christ’s life television and other irrelevant media. They of prayer, sacriﬁce, and loving service to have been blessed with three Daughter their neighbor. The ﬁrst Cistercians came Houses in Awhum, Nigeria; Brazil; and “The monks follow in the footsteps to North America in 1848, living a dis- Illah, Nigeria. of those whom, in times past, God tinctive life of hidden fruitfulness at the called into the desert to engage heart of the Church. As with many other in spiritual warfare. As citizens of ancient orders, the Abbey of the Genesee Did You Know? heaven, they become strangers is dedicated under the protection of the Trappist professes a vow of stability, to worldly behavior. Living in Blessed Virgin Mary. Awhich means that he will remain in solitude and silence they aspire to Within the monastic enclosure of the one monastery for his entire life, trusting that interior quiet in which wisdom in the providence of God who has called is born.” F!" #!"$ %&'!"#()%!& *%+%): him to this place and to this group of —Constitutions of the Monks www.geneseeabbey.org brothers.