Wrentham

Location

Official Name Mount St. Mary's Abbey

27

Country USA

City Wrentham

Address 300 Arnold Street

Postcode MA 02093-1799

Contact Information

Telephone [1] (508) 528-1282

Community Email [email protected]

Website www.msmabbey.org

Business Website www.trappistinecandy.com

Superior Mother Sofia Millican, Abbess 2019-2025

Other Information

Juridical Status Abbey

Diocese Archidioecesis Bostoniensis (Boston)

OCSO Region USA

Founded/Restored 1949

Origins

Founded by Glencairn in 1949; erected an abbey in 1950.

History

1949: On 1 October 14 nuns from Ireland arrive, to make the first foundation of Cistercian nuns in the United States. 21 November, ceremony to establish monastic enclosure, by the archbishop of Boston, Richard J. Cushing. 8 December: first perpetual profession: M. M. Michael Howe.
1950, 15 May: death of the mistress of novices, M. M. St. John. 10 November: change of stability from Glencairn to Mt. St. Mary’s, Wrentham. 13 November: election of R.M. Mary Bernard O’Donnell as the first abbess of Mount Saint Mary’s.
1955 the founders return to Glencairn.
1960 general chapter: a foundation is authorized for Argentina; it was never realized.

Foundations

Mississippi (1964), Santa Rita (1972), Crozet (1987)

Father Immediate

Spencer

Lay Associates

Cistercian Friends of Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey

Past Superiors

Bernard O’DONNELL — Superior — 01/10/1949 – 13/11/1950
Bernard O’DONNELL — Abbess — 13/11/1950 – 06/05/1952
Angela NORTON — Abbess — 03/09/1952 – 14/01/1986
Agnes DAY — Abbess — 21/03/1986 – 05/05/2008
Maureen McCABE— Abbess —  2008 – 2019

Work and Sources of Income

Trappistine Quality Candy; small farm (raising of heifers)

Guest Facilities

Abbey Retreat house : 3 rooms (4 persons) ; small apartment; McMahon Retreat House: 9 rooms (12 persons), dining room, meeting room

Transportation

Station : Providence, Rhode Island. Airport : Providence or Boston.

Monasteries

  • Assomption

    Canada

  • Westmalle

    Belgium

  • Roscrea

    Ireland