The vocation to contemplative life cannot be understood in the modern utilitarian calculus. It is an interior orientation, driven by a thirst that even the monk himself often doesn’t understand, the search for the immediate, personal encounter with God. We would like to share some insights on an article that was an interview between a secular journalist and Dom Gérard Calvet. We often get asked the same question that the journalist posed to Dom Gérard: what monastic life truly is and what is its “usefulness”...what is its secret.DOM GÉRARD FOUNDER OF ST. MADELEINE MONASTERY, BARROUX“Listen to me, you want to know the secret of the monks? No one for over 20 centuries has discovered it. Their joy, their torment, their anguish, their burning anxiety and the slow progress of acquiring a peace conquered through sacrifice, their acts of thanksgiving …. All of this they carry joyfully to the tomb.”Continue reading the article.

A big step for our small community! The first novice has completed her 2-year preparation and will make her vows and on November 21 she pronounced her vows of religion according to the rule of St. Benedict. A young generous soul giving herself to God in the contemplative life is one of the greatest gifts that someone can offer to God. But the benefits are universal, the entire world will profit by this generosity by the graces that she will obtain for many souls. By her vows she has become the spouse of the Most High! What power on the heart of God, a soul striving to please only Him. She is in a key position to intercede for all of you before the throne of God, because it will be as a spouse that She will speak to her heavenly Spouse.She will offer her prayers for your intentions, her sacrifices for your sufferings, she will pray for the deceased members of your families And will call down the choicest graces for your souls. More young ladies are coming, and with your help we can continue this great work of God!At this time of the year when we contemplate the coming of Our Savior Jesus Christ, we would like to thank you in advance for all of your support and generosity, and assured of your continued help we are sure to be able to render to Our King the adoration that He is so worthy of. May He continue to bless all of you!