Le Barroux Abbey

Le Barroux Abbey, formally known as Sainte-Madeleine du Barroux Abbey, is a traditionalist Benedictine monastery located in the commune of Le Barroux in the Vaucluse department of southeastern France. It was established in 1978 by Dom Gérard Calvet, with the current abbot being Dom Louis-Marie de Geyer d’Orth. The abbey was founded with the explicit purpose of preserving the traditional monastic life and liturgical practices of Benedictine monks, particularly the celebration of the Roman Missal as it was used before the liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council. This commitment to tradition led the community to seek reconciliation with the Holy See, which was achieved in 1988, allowing them to continue using the pre-conciliar liturgy under specific provisions.

History and Development

The community began as a small group of monks led by Dom Gérard Calvet, seeking to maintain the traditional Benedictine way of life in the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene. Shaken by the changes occurring within the Catholic Church, Calvet envisioned the abbey as a haven for this traditional observance. In 1979, a corresponding female branch, the Abbey of Notre-Dame-de-l'Annonciation, was founded. The community grew, numbering 53 monks by 1986. Initially aligned with the Lefebvrist movement, the monks eventually broke ties following the Écône consecrations and subsequent excommunications. Their reconciliation with the Holy See in 1988, facilitated by Pope John Paul II's motu proprio Ecclesia Dei, allowed them to continue their specific liturgical practice. The monastery received canonical status on June 18, 1989, and was elevated to the rank of an Abbey on July 2, with Dom Gerard Calvet appointed as its first Abbot. The Abbey was consecrated on October 2, 1989. Notable visitors have included Cardinal Ratzinger in 1995. Over the years, some monks have departed to found other communities, including the Monastery of Sainte-Marie de la Garde in 2002 and an independent foundation in Villatalla, Italy, in 2008. Dom Gerard resigned as Abbot in 2003, succeeded by Dom Louis-Marie. In 2008, Le Barroux Abbey officially became part of the Benedictine Confederation of the Order of St. Benedict.

Community Life and Activities

The community at Le Barroux Abbey engages in various self-sustaining activities. They operate a mill for producing olive oil and maintain a bakery that produces wine and bread. The wine is also produced in collaboration with local winemakers, adhering to traditional methods. The monks provide spiritual guidance and offer retreats for visitors. To foster a connection with the wider faithful, the monastery streams its daily Divine Office online, with recordings available on their website and through a dedicated phone application, allowing individuals to participate in their liturgical life remotely.

Notable Figures

Dom Gérard Calvet is the founder of Le Barroux Abbey and served as its first Abbot. Dom Louis-Marie de Geyer d’Orth is the current abbot. The abbey's history is also marked by significant figures in the Catholic Church, including Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Édouard Gagnon, and Cardinal Ratzinger, who visited the monastery.

Current Status

As of May 2014, the Abbey comprised 57 members, including priests, a deacon, brothers, students, and novices, with an average age of 44. The monastery continues its active spiritual life, production activities, and outreach through online streaming.