SAINTE-MARIE DE LA GARDE ABBEY

On November 21, 2002, the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a group of eight monks left their mother abbey, Sainte-Madeleine du Barroux (Vaucluse), and arrived at a place called "Lagarde", in the commune of Saint-Pierre-de-Clairac. The year 2003 will be devoted to the first installations and work. From 2004 to 2006, a larger chapel will be built and inaugurated, to better accommodate the faithful. From 2005 to 2008, the community will continue to grow, either by welcoming other monks from its mother house, or by welcoming candidates for monastic life from outside. The community numbered 13 monks (including 5 priests) in 2013, 16 in 2015 and 17 today. Their project: to build together a monastery for the ^21st century. The first phase of this work took place between 2009 and 2013. In this phase, the architectural approach was dictated naturally. The twin pavilions and outbuildings became the core of the monastery, accommodating twenty monks until completion of the second phase, which began in 2024 and is scheduled to continue for 3 years. This ambitious project involves extending the buildings to accommodate 40 monks, on completion of a beautiful abbey. The brothers welcome gentlemen and young people on individual retreats for stays of up to a week, with participation in prayer (liturgical offices, times of silent prayer) and some involvement in community life. Guests have meals with the monks, and listen to the readings in the refectory. If they wish, they can also help with various tasks.

Offices: matins at 3:30 am, lauds at 6 am followed by read masses at 6:30 am, prime at 7:45 am on weekdays and 8 am on Sundays, tierce followed by sung mass at 9:30 am on weekdays and 10 am on Sundays, sext at 12:15 pm, none at 2 pm on weekdays and 2:30 pm on Sundays, vespers followed by a time of prayer at 5:30 pm on weekdays and vespers followed by the Salute of the Blessed Sacrament on Sundays, compline at 7:45 pm. Schedules subject to change on special days.

Store: open 10:45am-12pm Monday, 10:45am-12pm and 2:30pm-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30am-12:15pm and 2:45pm-5pm Sunday. Closed^1st Friday of the month. Sale of monastic products, sandals made in the monastery workshop (delivery possible via the Barroux abbey online store).