Gethsemani

Trappist, KY, United States / Male

Location

Official nameAbbey of Gethsemani
Number18
Address3642 Monks Road, Trappist, KY, United States
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Contact Information

Telephone[1] (502) 549-3117
Community emailabbey@monks.org
Websitewww.monks.org
SuperiorDom Elias Dietz, Abbot 2008-2026

Other Information

Juridical statusAbbey
DioceseArchidioecesis Ludovicopolitana (Louisville)
OCSO regionUSA
OriginsFounded by Melleray 21 December 1848; raised to the status of abbey 1851.
History
  • 1848: Founded on a former property of the Sisters of Loretto.
  • 1851: Abbatial election and blessing of Dom Eutropius on 26 October. It was the first of its kind in the U.S.A.
  • 1864: The new church is finished.
  • 1886: Consecration of the church.
  • 1949: Celebration of the monastery’s centenary. The church is raised to the status of basilica.
Father immediateMelleray; New Melleray; Delegated Father Immediate: Mother Kathy Ullrich of Crozet (2024- )
Daughter housesConyers ; Mepkin ; Genesee ; Vina; Miraflores (since 1966). Holy Trinity (Huntsville) ; Spencer (1912-1952).
Lay associatesLay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey
Past superiors
  • Eutropius PROUST — Titular Prior — 1848-1851
  • Eutropius PROUST —Abbot — 26/10/1851 – ?/ ?/1859 (v.25)
  • Benedict BERGER — Abbot — 19/ 04/1861 – 02/09/1889
  • Edward CHAIX-BOURBAN — Abbot — 02/09/1889 – ?/ ?/1896
  • Edmund OBRECHT — Abbot — 24/01/1898 – 04/01/1935
  • Frederic DUNNE — Abbot — 06/02/1935 – 04/08/1948
  • James FOX — Abbot — 23/08/1948 – 30/12/1967
  • Flavian BURNS — Abbot — 13/01/1968 – 31/01/1973
  • Timothy KELLY — Abbot — 15/03/1973 – 24/03/2000
  • Damien THOMPSON — Abbot — 08/04/2000 -30/03/2008
Work/income
  1. Production of cheese, fruitcake and Bourbon fudge, all sold by mail order;
  2. Forestry (ecological);
  3. arable land either rented or used for hay;
  4. vegetable garden.
Guest facilities29 individual rooms and 2 double;17 further rooms for men.
TransportationAirport and Bus Station : Louisville, Ky.
FoundationsHoly Spirit (Conyers) 1944; Holy Trinity (Huntsville) 1947-2017; Mepkin 1949; Genesee 1952, New Clairvaux (Vina) 1955
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