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Monasteries Geographical Regions Europe Belgium Westmalle - 03
Monasteries Geographical Regions Europe Belgium Westmalle - 03
Westmalle - 03
N°
03
LOCATION
Official Name
Abdij der Trappisten
B-2390 Westmalle
Country
Belgium
CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone
[32] (3) 312.92.00
Fax
[32] (3) 312 92 20
Website
Superior
Dom Nathanael Koninkx, Sup.ad nutum 2004, Abt 2005
OTHER INFORMATION
Juridical Status
Abbey
Diocese
Dioecesis Antverpiensis (Antwerpen)
OCSO Region
[NED]
Founded/Restored
1794
Origins
Founded by La Valsainte
History
1794, 1 June: Foundation. July 17: Escape to Munster from the Revolutionary armies. Marienfeld.
1795, 15 October: Foundation of a refuge at Darfeld, which later became a formal foundation.
1802, 3 August – 14 October: the monks have to leave following their suppression by Napoleon. The real estate is not confiscated, thanks to the protests of the legal owner, the Baron de Caters. One choir monk and two laybrothers remain behind.
1814, July-August: The community re-forms and on 20 August resumes regular life. At this time the community comprises 4 choir monks, 2 of whom are priests, 21 laybrothers and a few novices.
1836: Westmalle had been following the observances of la Val-Sainte up to this time. But because of the union of the two French observances, Westmalle was left without any administrative links to the other houses founded by la Val-Sainte. So, in order to secure their canonical existence, the monks requested the approval of their observances. Rome refused, but in compensation for their sacrifices, offered to raise the monastery to the rank of abbey and to create a Belgian Trappist congregation, of which the abbot of Westmalle would be Vicar General.
1872: The first General Chapter of the Belgian Trappist Congregation is held 1 – 3 October.
1887, 30 July: Consecration of the church.
1899, 20 June: re-consecration of the church, necessitated by the demolition and complete rebuilding of the presbyterium and high altar.
1914-18: The community, apart from a few monks and laybrothers, is evacuated during WWI. The evacuees stayed together as a community first at Echt then at Tegelen.
1795, 15 October: Foundation of a refuge at Darfeld, which later became a formal foundation.
1802, 3 August – 14 October: the monks have to leave following their suppression by Napoleon. The real estate is not confiscated, thanks to the protests of the legal owner, the Baron de Caters. One choir monk and two laybrothers remain behind.
1814, July-August: The community re-forms and on 20 August resumes regular life. At this time the community comprises 4 choir monks, 2 of whom are priests, 21 laybrothers and a few novices.
1836: Westmalle had been following the observances of la Val-Sainte up to this time. But because of the union of the two French observances, Westmalle was left without any administrative links to the other houses founded by la Val-Sainte. So, in order to secure their canonical existence, the monks requested the approval of their observances. Rome refused, but in compensation for their sacrifices, offered to raise the monastery to the rank of abbey and to create a Belgian Trappist congregation, of which the abbot of Westmalle would be Vicar General.
1872: The first General Chapter of the Belgian Trappist Congregation is held 1 – 3 October.
1887, 30 July: Consecration of the church.
1899, 20 June: re-consecration of the church, necessitated by the demolition and complete rebuilding of the presbyterium and high altar.
1914-18: The community, apart from a few monks and laybrothers, is evacuated during WWI. The evacuees stayed together as a community first at Echt then at Tegelen.
Foundations
St-Sixte (1831); Meersel/Achel (1846); Tegelen (1884); Bamania (Belgian Congo, 1893-1925)
Father Immediate
Citeaux until 1962, Sint Sixtus until 1980, thereafter Zundert
Daughter Houses
Achel, Tegelen, Orval (since1946), Nazareth, Soleilmont (1922 – 1972), Sint Sixtus (1836 – 1972), Redwoods (1963-1969)
Lay Associates
Les associés cisterciens de l'abbaye Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur de Westmalle
Past Superiors
Benedictus WUYTS --- Abbot --- 16/03/1872 - 13/07/1896
Ferdinandus BROECHOVEN --- Abbot --- 12/08/1896 - 12/09/1911
Herman-Joseph SMETS --- Abbot --- 30/10/1911 - 16/07/1929
Tarcisius van der KAMP --- Abbot --- 17/08/1929 - 19/12/1939
Robertus EYCKMANS --- Abbot --- 20/01/1940 - 12/09/1956
Eduardus WELLENS --- Abbot --- 09/10/1956 - 15/01/1967
Déodat DE WILDE --- Abbot --- 03/03/1967 - 01/04/1975
Bartholomeus de STRIJCKER --- Abbot --- 17/04/1975 - 13/10/1987
Ivo DUJARDIN --- Abbot --- 28/10/1987 - 12/07/2004
Ferdinandus BROECHOVEN --- Abbot --- 12/08/1896 - 12/09/1911
Herman-Joseph SMETS --- Abbot --- 30/10/1911 - 16/07/1929
Tarcisius van der KAMP --- Abbot --- 17/08/1929 - 19/12/1939
Robertus EYCKMANS --- Abbot --- 20/01/1940 - 12/09/1956
Eduardus WELLENS --- Abbot --- 09/10/1956 - 15/01/1967
Déodat DE WILDE --- Abbot --- 03/03/1967 - 01/04/1975
Bartholomeus de STRIJCKER --- Abbot --- 17/04/1975 - 13/10/1987
Ivo DUJARDIN --- Abbot --- 28/10/1987 - 12/07/2004
Work and sources of income
Brewery, dairy farm
Guest Facilities
40 rooms
Transportation
Autobus 41 Antwerpen-Turnhout (halte Westmalle : Trappisten).
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