Monastère Saint-Benoît

The Monastère Saint-Benoît is an independent Catholic Benedictine monastery situated in the commune of Brignoles, France. Established in 2011 by the Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, the monastery follows the Rule of Saint Benedict and celebrates its offices according to older monastic and Tridentine rites, notably using the Roman Missal of 1953 during Holy Week. The community's current location, purchased in 2020, is a historic site with a lineage tracing back to the 11th century, having been associated with the Knights Templar and later the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

History of the Location

The Romanesque church on the site was originally built in the early 11th century and later donated to the Abbey of Saint-Victor de Marseille. By the 12th century, it came under the ownership of the Knights Templar, who expanded the domain and constructed new buildings. Following the dissolution of the Templars in 1312, the property transitioned to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The monastery buildings themselves were recognized for their historical significance and were listed as historical monuments on December 21, 1984.

Monastic Community and Recent Events

The monastic community, founded by Australian Dom Alcuin Reid, consists of a small number of monks in various stages of religious life. The community has faced significant challenges, including the clandestine ordination of two monks outside France in April 2022, which led to their suspension by the Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon. This event, coupled with pressure from the Vatican, resulted in the bishop suppressing the monastery's Public Association of the Faithful on June 10, 2022. Despite this suppression, the monks have stated their intention to continue their monastic life of prayer, study, and work.