Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
Cistercian Fraternity of Aiguebelle
STATUTES
Ces Statuts en français
Estos Estatutos en castellano1) Members
Every baptised member of the Church is called to live the Gospel wherever they find themselves. The reply is that of Mary : in adopting the Rule of St Benedict, the spirituality of St Bernard and of the other Cistercian Fathers in the spirit of the document, "Reflections on the Challenge of Charismatic Associations", by the Abbot General Bernardo Olivera (1 January 1995).2) Fraternity
By fraternity, we understand :
• In a general sense, the institution of sisters and brothers in the Cistercian Fraternity,
• In a more precise sense, the Fraternity of Aiguebelle
(Notre Dame d’Aiguebelle 26230 Montjoyer France),
• As part of the wider family of lay groups which exist in the Catholic Church in France.
3) Becoming a member of the Fraternity
It is a personal act in which one of the faithful offers themselves to the Lord and becomes a member of a monastic community in a very real way while remaining in the world, which underlines the difference with the monks. This offering is not a vow but a promise, either temporary or definitive, and signifies the desire to deepen their understanding and love of God by a conversion which follows throughout their lives.
4) Admission
All the faithful with a mature spirituality that allows them to weigh the seriousness of this route can ask to be admitted which will then be submitted before the Abbot and the head of the Fraternity. It is not possible to belong to other orders or institutes etc within the church. The family members of monks as well as employees of the Abbey, because of their close connections with the monastic community cannot become members of the fraternity.
5) Discerning training
The faithful who wish to join the Fraternity may enter each year between Easter and the month of July. If the head of the Fraternity or the Abbot, or his delegate, see no obstacle, the candidate can start a period of training which lasts for two years. During this time, the candidates have to deepen their Christian life, and become acquainted with the spirit of the rule of St Benedict and enter the school of the Cistercian Fathers.
6) Promise
At the end of the second year, the candidates have to decide if they wish to become members of the Fraternity. An additional year of discernment can be granted to a candidate if a request is made, however at the end of the year a decision has to be taken. Following the two years of discernment, the future member of the Fraternity writes a letter of intention before the Abbot and the community. The promise, temporary (three years) or definitive is made according to the ritual in place. The future sister or brother signs the request letter and hands it to the Abbot during the ceremony.
7) Responsibility
Once the promise is made the monks become brothers and consider the new member of the Fraternity as a witness of the monastic life and of the Cistercian spirituality in the world. The new fraternity member has a filial confidence in the Abbot of the monastery. This link with the Abbot, and his delegate, helps the brothers or sisters to further understand their human (family, professional, social, etc) and Christian responsibilities (ecclesial and in the parish) but does not imply any judicial dependence on the part of the Abbot.
8) Co-ordinator of the Fraternity
He or she is elected by the brothers and sisters of the Fraternity according to the rule of St Benedict for a duration of four years renewable. To fulfil his mission he or she should always by preference look to the rule but bearing in mind the spirit rather than the letter. The Co-ordinator of the Fraternity should always seek the council of the elders of the Fraternity whenever possible.
9) Prayer and silence
The Fraternity is linked with the monastery through daily morning and evening prayer. This prayer life is encouraged by a climate of silence that is a communion with God and with those near to us and it depends less on the exterior conditions than on an interior aptitude to listen to the Lord. Each member of the Fraternity will try to frequently consult the rule of St Benedict and the writings from our Cistercian heritage.
10) Meetings
Four meetings per year (Saturday and Sunday) with teachings on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. A retreat together once a year.
11) Fraternity / Community links
The link between the lay Fraternity and the monastic community of Aiguebelle, through the intermediary of the Abbot, is shared through a relationship of mutual confidence and reciprocal understanding and is not a relationship of subordination.
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