Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
CHARTER of "The Grange of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux"
1. The Grange of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux saw the light of day at Clairvaux, a landmark of historical renown. Sent on a mission by Cîteaux, Saint Bernard founded an abbey there whose light still reaches out to the four corners of the earth.
2. The ninth centenary of Saint Bernard's birth, celebrated in 1990, renewed the meaningfulness of the presence of Cistercians at this site and prompted the establishment of "The Grange of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux". The location of this non-profit making association is highly symbolic: a former grange for lay brothers who, though separate from the monks by virtue of their calling to manual labour, live alongside them and shared their spiritual outlook.
3. "The Grange of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux" enjoys a privileged relationship with the Abbey of Our Lady of Cîteaux.
4. It draws together lay Cistercians as well as those seeking a way of life based on the Rule of Saint Benoît and the Cistercian spirit: a simple life-style where relations with others, work and prayer are harmoniously balanced with regular reading the Word of God.
5. It wishes to be a place of Christian brotherliness, a place of worship and a place for meeting others.
6. It welcomes the passer by, makes a quiet-room called "Words of Saint Bernard" available to all who wish to meditate and offers for perusal books on the Cistercian world.
7. It publishes:
"Présence de Saint Bernard": a newsletter for members of the association and friends.
"Les Cahiers de la Grange": thematically selected texts by Cistercians Fathers.
8. Each month, a day is planned comprised of:
meditation on the psalms.
interpretion of the Rule of Saint Benedict in the context of lay life.
study of Cistercian culture and tradition.
celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Each year, some days are devoted to exchanging ideas, praying and studying in community.
9. For those who request it, a formal acknowledgement of their relationship with the Cistercian community can be arranged at the Abbey of Our Lady of Cîteaux.
10. "The Grange of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux" strives to be:
11. A place for anyone "who longs for life and many days, to enjoy his prosperity" (Ps 33, RB Prol 15), a place of brotherhood reaching beyond geographical, social and family origins; a place for all to be welcomed and listened to; a place where each one's past life and spiritual journey is respected.
12. A "school of the Lord's service" (RB Prol 15), a school of prayer and open-heartedness to the Word of God, where learning to manage one's time and work is seen as a form of service. The study of the writings of the Cistercian Fathers leads to an awareness of the present day reality of the Incarnation in a world which is seeking guidelines for living and believing.
13. A place for mutual support and spiritual refreshment for a scattered community; a place where the search for God is a source of commitment and self-fulfilment; a place from which to go forth into the world.
14. A path to life: "Behold how, in His mercy, the Lord shows us the path to life" (RB Prol 20), a path of humility and conversion.
Lent 1998
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