Location
Official nameSt. Joseph’s Abbey
Number26
Address167 North Spencer Rd, Spencer, United States
Contact Information
Telephone[1] (508) 885-8700
Telephone 2[1] (508) 885-8701
Community emailmonks@spencerabbey.org
Websitewww.spencerabbey.org
SuperiorDom Vincent Rogers, Abbot 2020-2026
Other Information
Juridical statusAbbey
DioceseDioecesis Vigorniensis (Worcester)
OCSO regionUSA
OriginsFounded by Fr. Vincent de Paul of La Valsainte in 1825 at Petit-Clairvaux, Canada with monks from Bellefontaine and Sint Sixtus; affiliated with La Trappe in 1868; raised to the rank of abbey in 1876; transferred to Rhode Island, USA in 1901 with rank of priory; raised to rank of abbey in 1945. Transferred to Spencer in 1950.
History
- 1825: Initial foundation by Fr. Vincent de Paul. It was located in Nova Scotia, Canada. Fr. Vincent de Paul had stayed in North America when Fr. Urban’s group, who had repopulated Bellefontaine, returned. Fr. Vincent de Paul therefore asked Bellefontaine for help beginning his foundation. Bellefontaine sent him four monks.
- Returning later to seek reinforcements, he found none in France and returned to Canada with monks from Sint Sixtus. Soon discord arose: the French monks returned to Bellefontaine, Fr. Vincent de Paul retired to a house of religious sisters he had founded, leaving the Sint Sixtus monks alone.
- 1868: Because of their great isolation, they ask to be affiliated with La Trappe.
- 1892: Fires during the Chapter of Union.
- 1899: The Chapter authorizes the community’s transfer to Bost.
- 1902: The community transfers to the diocese of Providence. The former property in Nova Scotia, having been purchased by Timadeuc to found a refuge, keeps the name Petit-Clairvaux. The new house in Providence is named O.L. of the Valley. But the validity of the canonical erection comes into question. An indult of sanation is requested and granted and the new monastery of O.L. of the Valley is raised to the rank of priory.
- 1922: Construction of the church.
- 1950: Monastery is destroyed by fire. The community takes refuge at Chepachet.
Father immediateLa Trappe 1868; Gethsemani 1876; Bellefontaine 1882; Oka/ Val Notre-Dame 1898; Gethsemani 1902; Oka [Val Notre Dame] 1903; Gethsemani 1913; Val Notre-Dame 1914; Gethsemani 1920; Bellefontaine 1952-2019; Genesee 2020
Daughter housesGuadalupe ; Berryville ; Snowmass ; Azul ; Wrentham.
Los Andes (1960-1966).
Lay associatesCistercian Lay Contemplatives, Spencer, MA
Work/income“Trappist Preserves” (jams and jellies), “Holy Rood Guild” (Liturgical Vestments)
Guest facilitiesGuesthouse with 11 rooms; another building “the cottage” with 5 rooms (4 with 2 beds) for candidates and postulants; the 5th room is for special visitors.
TransportationAirport : Worcester, Massachusetts.
Incorporated1868
FoundationsGuadalupe (1948), Berryville (1950); Snowmass (1956), Azul (1958), La Dehesa/ Miraflores(1960)
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