Trappists

The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, or Trappists, are a Roman Catholic religious order, and follow the Rule of St. Benedict.

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They are a branch of the Cistercians. The order was founded in 1662 by Armand-Jean Le Bouthillier de Ranc?, a converted courtier at La Trappe, in France, hence the name.

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Although their order's rules imply observance, and in particular abstinence from alcohol, the monks of several Trappist monasteries make a living in producing liquor. Famous examples are in Belgium, where several Trappist monasteries produce famous Trappist beers.

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"Strict Observance" does mean stricter silence, certain situations excepted. Contrary to popular belief, they don't take a vow of silence. http://www.ocso.org/net/faq-eng.htmhttp://www.angelfire.com/nv2/monastic2/Carthusian/NewPage16.html But they are quiet.

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The Trappists received greater attention in recent years on account of the life and writings of Thomas Merton.

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Monasteries include:

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• Marija Zvijezda (Maria Stern) near Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Abbey of Gethsemani near Bardstown, Kentucky, USA
• Chimay, Belgium
• Abbey of the Holy Spirit outside Conyers, Georgia, USA
• Hiji, Hayami District, Oita Prefecture, Japan
• Kamiiso, Hokkaido, Japan
• Trappist Haven Monastery, on Lantau Island, Hong Kong
• Latrun (about 15 kilometers west of Jerusalem), Israel
• Mariawald, Heimbach (Eifel), Germany
• Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, South Carolina, USA
• New Melleray, near Dubuque, Iowa, USA
• Notre-Dame des Neiges, Ard?che, France
• Orval, Belgium
• Abbey of the Genesee, Piffard, New York, USA
• Rochefort, Belgium
• Westmalle, Belgium
• Westvleteren, Belgium

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Religious order: A religious order is an organization of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with religious devotion. The members of such orders, termed religious as a group, are usually distinct from both the laity and the clergy. They are often termed monks, friars or brothers if male,...

Rule of St. Benedict: The Rule of St Benedict by Benedict of Nursia (fl. 6th century) is a book of precepts written for monks living in a monastic community under the authority of an abbot. Since about the 7th century, it has been adopted with equal success by communities of women as well. During the 1500 years of its ex...