En-Calcat Abbey

En-Calcat Abbey, officially known as Saint-Benoît d'En Calcat, is a Benedictine monastery situated in Dourgne, France. It belongs to the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation and was founded in 1890, achieving abbey status in 1896. The monastery's early history was marked by significant disruption; the community was forced into exile from France in 1903 due to the Associations Bill, residing in Paramon and then Besalu before their return in 1918. During their time abroad, a substantial number of monks served in the French army during World War I, with ten making the ultimate sacrifice.

Following its return to France, En-Calcat Abbey experienced a period of growth and attracted numerous distinguished individuals. The French composer Maxime Jacob became a monk in 1929 and served as the chief organist, while the painter Guy de Chaunac-Lanzac, a friend of Jacob, entered the monastery in 1930 and later gained renown for his tapestries. The abbey also provided refuge and a place for contemplation for prominent figures such as Robert Schuman, who stayed between 1942 and 1944, and Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the future Pope John XXIII, who made his annual retreat there in 1948. Lambert Beauduin, a key figure in the European liturgical revival and a proponent of ecumenism, also resided at the monastery from 1948 to 1951, influencing many of the monks.

As the community expanded, it initiated new foundations, including the priory of Madiran (later transferred to Tournay) and the monastery of Toumliline in Morocco in 1952. In 1961, the abbey established the Abbaye de l'Ascension in Dzogbégan, Togo. The pianist Thierry de Brunhoff joined the monastery in 1974. In the 21st century, En-Calcat Abbey continues its monastic life with approximately 40 monks. The monastery is particularly noted for its production of psaltérion zithers and for its active engagement in interreligious dialogue, having hosted Zen monks and nuns. As of February 2021, the community is led by Brother Columba Jennesson, serving as Prior-Administrator, following the passing of Père Abbé Emmanuel Roques.