Location
Official nameMonastère l’Étoile Notre-Dame
Number39
Contact Information
Telephone[229] 95 28 91 41
Community emailetoilenotredameocso@gmail.com
SuperiorMère Elisabeth Marie Samati, Abbesse 2021-2027
Other Information
Juridical statusAbbey
DioceseDioecesis Parakuensis (Parakou)
OCSO regionRAFMA
OriginsFoundation of Les Gardes
History
- In 1960 N.D. des Gardes sent the first group to Dahomey, who started monastic life 27 November; other groups came in the following months.
- During the following years, the monastery was constructed and the community was organized.
- 1962, 14 July: the first stone was laid for the church by Mgr Gantin, archbishop of Cotonou, it had been blessed by Mgr Chopard on 6 May 1962.
- During the course of the year, M. Maga, president of the Republic visited, accompanied by M. Senghor, president of the Republic of Senegal.
- 1964 on the vigil of the ascension, Fr. André of Bellefontaine died of snakebite. He had been there only 4 days.
- 1965 the general chapter authorized the request to be erected as an abbey.
- 1966 January 17, canonical erection as an abbey, and change of stability of the founders.
- 18 January, election of the first abbess.
- 25 January, consecration of the church.
Father immediateBellefontaine
Past superiors
- Monique MASSON — Supérieure — 1961 – 18/01/1966
- Monique MASSON — Abbesse — 18/01/1966 – 24/06/1999
- Bibiane IGBARO — Abbesse — 1999 – 2015
- Geneviève AKAKPO — Abbesse — 2015 – 10/07/2021
Work/incomeYogurts, jams, syrups, fruit juice and aperitifs, honey and bee-glue, medicinal plants and beauty products, pork butchery, cards, candles, icons; farm
Guest facilities30 rooms of which 10 are doubles and 3 are triples
TransportationGare destinataire : Parakou.
FoundationsMvanda (1991)
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