Clairval Abbey

Abbey of Saint-Joseph de Clairval

The Abbey of Saint-Joseph de Clairval is a Benedictine monastery situated in Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, within the Côte d'Or department of France. Founded in 1972 by Dom Augustin-Marie Joly in Clairval, Switzerland, the community relocated to its present site in 1976, retaining the name "Clairval" in memory of its Swiss origins. The abbey belongs to the Olivetan branch of the Benedictine order, and its monks are distinguished by their black bure and white collar.

History and Development

The premises in Flavigny were originally constructed in 1700 as a private mansion. Initially, the monks at Clairval celebrated the Tridentine Mass, but the community gradually moved away from the Lefebvriste movement, establishing contact with the Diocese of Dijon. In 1988, the community was officially recognized as a monastery under diocesan law. A significant milestone was reached in 1992 when the monastery was erected into an abbey by the Holy See, with Dom Augustin Marie Joly becoming its first abbot. As of 2010, the abbey housed approximately fifty monks. In 2021, Clairval Abbey initiated the foundation of a priory at Solignac Abbey, with a contingent of monks settling in to begin the process, which is expected to take about twelve years for final recognition.

Liturgy and Spiritual Life

The liturgical practices at Clairval Abbey are a blend of tradition and contemporary diocesan requests. The conventual mass is celebrated in Latin and oriented southeast, following the ordinary form of the Roman Rite. Individual monk priests also celebrate low masses daily, often in the Tridentine form. A defining characteristic of the abbey's spiritual life is its regular offering of retreats for men undertaking the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, typically over five days, utilizing the method of Father Francisco de Paula Vallet. Visitors are also welcome for individual stays outside of retreat periods, allowing them to participate in the community's liturgical life and receive spiritual guidance. All liturgical offices, including the Liturgy of the Hours, are sung in Gregorian chant.

Activities and Outreach

Beyond their spiritual and liturgical duties, the monks of Clairval Abbey engage in various activities to support the community and share their faith. They are skilled in creating liturgical artwork, including iconography and sculpture. For income, the abbey operates a gift shop named Traditions Monastiques, which offers publications, handcrafted icons, and stone carvings. The abbey also maintains a spiritual outreach through a spiritual letter, published every five weeks in six languages, which can be received free of charge by email or post. This letter often features the life of a saint, extending the abbey's spiritual influence beyond its physical location.