 La Trappe Abbey: Soligny-la-Trappe, France
La Trappe Abbey or La Grande Trappe is the abbey from which the Trappists take their name. Founded in 1122 as a house of the Order of Savigny, it joined the Cistercian Order in 1148. From the early 16th century it declined until Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé introduced the Strict Observance in 1662, and in 1664 initiated a stricter reform of his own. From that time La Trappe was the centre of a thorough reform of the Cistercian Order, led by de Rancé, to which the abbey gave its name, and which made it famous. At the time of the French Revolution about a third of the monks chose exile rather than secularization; in 1815 they returned to rebuild their ruined abbey.
Steeped in history, the abbey of La Trappe and its monks continue their life of prayer under Abbot Dom Guerric Reitz-Séjotte, elected in 2004. Industries include agriculture, the crafting of wood crucifixes and prayer benches, and the making of essential oils and perfumes.  
|
