Location
Official nameMosteiro Trapista Santa Maria Mãe da Igreja
AddressLugar do Alacão s-n, Palaçoulo, Portugal
Contact Information
Telephone[351] 910909588
Community emailmosteirotrapistamaedaigreja@gmail.com
Websitewww.trapistaspalacoulo.pt
SuperiorMadre Giuseppina Maffini, Priora 2026-2032
Other Information
Juridical statusSimple Priory
DioceseDiocèse Brigantiensis-Mirandensis (Bragança-Miranda)
OriginsFoundation by Vitorchiano in 2020
History
- In July 2016, Vitorchiano Community receieved an invitation from the Bishop of Bragança-Miranda (Portugal) to found a Monastery in his Diocese.
- On December 22, 2016, the Community of Vitorchiano, with an exploritory vote, declared itself open to make a foundation and acepted the gift of land offered.
- The Community of Frattocchie, by a positive vote on April 30, 2017, agreed to assume the future Paternity of Monastery. On the 3 May 2017 the Community of Vitorchiano took the canonical vote to found the monasttery of “Santa Maria Mãe da Igreja” in Portugal.
- On September 21, 2017, the General Chapter accepted Vitorchiano’s request and agreed to the foundation.
- On January 26, 2018, the group of 10 foundresses was formed.
- In the following years, the future guest house was built, which will serve as a previsional monastery, while the construction of the actual monastery will proceed.
- In October / November 2020, the 10 foundresses, in three groups, reached the place of the foundation and began Regular life.
- On 25 March 2026, during a solemn Mass celebrated by the diocesan bishop, Mgr. Nuno Almeida, and in the presence of Dom Loris Tomassini, Abbot of Frattocchie, Father Immediate, and of Mother Rosaria Spreafico, abbess of Vitorchiano, the founding monastery, the foundation of Santa Maria Mãe da Igreja, Palaçoulo (Portugal) was officially elevated to the rank of simple priory, according to the decision of the General Chapter 2025.
- On 26 March 2026, Mother Giuseppina Maffini was elected the first prioress of Santa Maria Mãe da Igreja, Palaçoulo (Portugal) for a six-years term. Mother Giuseppina was born in Cremona, Italy in 1963. She entered Vitorchiano in 1988 and was sent to Palaçoulo as one of the foundresses in 2020. She has been the superior of the community of Palaçoulo since 2020.
Father immediateFrattocchie
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